State Forests within the Eurobodalla will progressively come under the Bush Alert program that has now been operating for 18 months as a trial near Orange.

The crime reporting initiative has been developed in conjunction with the NSW Police Force and Forests NSW and encourages rural residents to provide intelligence to police about offences occurring on public land.

South Coast Hunters Club president Dan Field said the program was a great idea, and would reduce the risk to conservation hunters that did the right thing.

“I don’t know personally of any illegal hunting being carried out,” he said.

“There are a few rumours, but it would be a great idea if we could catch these illegal hunters. They probably don’t have the safety training or are not licensed.”

Illegal hunting is a serious problem because offenders leave no information on whether they are in a State Forest, which may prove dangerous for legal hunters occupying the same area. This includes people that are not entitled to hold a firearm.

The police respond to these incidents but none have presently been detected locally. Far South Coast Local Area Command acting crime manager Gary Megay said he was only aware of one incident in Eden where police responded to reports of the illegal shooting of deer in the hinterland.

“It’s something that police are always mindful of though, especially when firearms are involved,” he said.

A cultural change is key to the Bush Alert program’s success, according to Game Council operations manager Steve Hurt, who acknowledges that it is not an easy thing to do.

“That doesn’t happen by flicking a switch, it takes time,” he said.

“Equally, I’d have to say that compliance with the legislation and regulations is not an option, not just expected - the community demands it.”

Illegal hunters face $500 fines to $10,000 worth of equipment confiscation. They may also face imprisonment depending on the nature of the offence.

The Game Council licences and regulates voluntary conservation hunting on 460 State Forests covering two million hectares.