Police Interupt my Hunt.

[Neix]

Today was a beutiful day!
Had a nice northerly wind, which was good in my case since i scouted out a new area yesterday arvo where i noticed alot of rabbits and noticed a fox on the embankment of this little creek area.

I thought i would grab the gear up after doing some house work (Built my mother a brick bbq since im a bricky) :)

So i headed out with my soft case and bow etc.

I arrived at around 5:30 with a nice warm welcoming 2 Rabbits sitting on the embankment of the little creek, (Picture Attached [Taken from phone] )

I had my video camera with me also which i set up on the Bi-stand next to me and had rolling, at the time when I noticed movments just towards the water bed, 2 rabbits were playing or entertaining each other, i picked my bow up knocked an arrow and took a crouching stance, it seemed like forever, but would of been 1-2 minutes untill his shoulders, ears and head emerged from a rock, I was ware about taking the shot due to a broken arrow or an overshot, so i waited a bit long and he came to a little mound where he sat plump infront of which guarenteed my arrow wouldn't go astray. I took a breath, and ease it out and "BAM!" fired the trigger, A Puff of dirt kicked up and the rabbit kicked out, by then i had knocked another arrow ready incase the first wasnt a fatal, Luckily he laid peacefully. Also caught that on video, as well as 2 other hits one rabbit ended up in the creek from the impact. at around 6:00 an individual past through my area with his dog, he confronted me asking what i was doing i just said "Enjoying an afternoon hunt, How about your self" he replied "Todays society is appauling with children like you out for no good" i just simply said "Have a good night mate" within 15 minute 2 4 Wheel drives had arrived, i simply took my arrows off my bow placed them on the ground, Put my bow down, and just sat their, I was in my Guily Camo, so they were a bit cautious i don't blame them, I was just about to pack up anyway, They confronted me asking what am i doing, I told them im just having a shoot, The officer stated, "Well we've had a complaint that you were shooting wildlife" i clearly explained to the 4 officers that i had not shot at any protected wildlife but i admited to shooting 3 rabbits which i pointed to where they lay. 2 of the officer went behind me into my little tree area, and started examining my equipment, they found Broadheads etc.
They asked what i was doing with such items, I said, Well i brought 3 broadhead arrows incase i came across a fox, and i've got razer tipped fieldpoints for the rabbits im shooting, They said it was a prohibited weapon and required a permit for the firearm, I advised the officers that they had mistaken my compound bow as a crossbow and they have seperate regulations, I said in a firm tone, "I have a right to posses this Bow, I have followed the law in all aspects, I have not broken any rules, If there is a problem with anything i've shot today There is proof of what i shot on my Video Camera, They Confiskated the Video Camera, packed up my bow, Put it in the boot of their Four Wheel drives, and left me with a Ticket to go visit Melbourne Police station to make a statement of the incident.

My mother who works in a law firm will be looking into the matter further.


I managed to take these pictures on my mobile phone which they didn't seize.



2 Rabbits i noticed on Arrival just at the other side of the creek (Opposite of where i was heading)
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/9048/2bunnysbm5.th.jpg (http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2bunnysbm5.jpg)


Hunting Location for the day, Just in the tree's with my new Guily Suit :) (Had to trim it, the crap that hangs off it was getting caught in my cams :P)

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/4977/huntinglocationbo5.th.jpg (http://img165.imageshack.us/my.php?image=huntinglocationbo5.jpg)


A nice view of the area i was hunting not the best area to hunt but i enjoyed my new scenery was good to explore.

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/910/niceviewfn0.th.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=niceviewfn0.jpg)

I will get my bow back with the accesories, and seek the officers involved in the incident would offer an appology for being "Stand Over Men" after i acted politely and affirmative in my responces. They would give me attitude.

Note: For some reason i'm having trouble with my Sony Ericson k610i or something, Daylight Savings has stuffed my fone up and got dates or jumbled which im dissapointed since i like to know the day and time the picture was taken :(

Anyone know how to fix this PM me.

[Jeremy87]

Bugger, lets hope it doesn't turn into another incident like that cat. Were you hunting on public land? What are the rules regarding this in victoria

[crazimofo]

had the same thing happen to me about 5 years ago in normanton (gulf) the local sgt took my crossbow,but i got it back when they found out it was legal to have..they're a bit grey on the rules sometimes...greg

[rohan]

gee's!!!!!!!!!! them cops sound like ****heads. stick it to em mate!
rohan

[Neix]

It was in a BIG Reserve, i had spoken to the farmer who had the property behind the location i was hunting it was only 15 meters till his fence line, he said peopel never go down there and if anything arised from it to say i was on his property but i can't now since i was caught in the location. Therefore i have nothing to worry about, I told them the truth i beleive im in the right therefore, Justice should prevail

[AdamK]

Neix,
Well done mate, both in nailing the rabbits, and on maturely dealing with a situation that could have gone ugly.
It's a shame such community attitudes and kneejerk police action can interupt an otherwise peaceful afternoon in the bush.
Maybe the walker and cops have had a bad experieice with rogue bowhunters in the area and they painted you with the same brush. Regardless, their reaction to you was unjustified. Maintaining your cool was without doubt the best thing you could have done for you and the rest of us law abiding bowhunters.

[danceswithdingoes]

consider yourself very lucky considering Victorian Polices' propensity to use lethal force ;) (sorry Eolla)

[jason]

It was in a BIG Reserve, i had spoken to the farmer who had the property behind the location i was hunting it was only 15 meters till his fence line,

Mate if you were outside his property does not matter what the farmer says, maybe i am reading it wrong but to me it looked like you were hunting on public land which is a big headache to argue with anyone about because you all have the right to be there. Hope you had permission to be there or you might be in for a fight, most cops do not know any rules regarding bows they just treat them as guns and no licence meens you cannot have.. Wish you luck buddy and well done keeping cool a smart mouth usually ends up with a night in the lock up and a 100 buck fine.

[Rock Steady]

Nice shooting Neix, I support your right to hunt but I am a little concerned that you may not have helped our cause by hunting on Public Land. The different groups of people that want to ban our sport use incidents like this to further their cause.

The fact that a member of the public walking his dog strolled through an area you where actively hunting is very concerning.

I would seek experienced Legal advice before making any written statement.

Anyway I hope it all works out for you and Good Luck.

[Neix]

Nice shooting Neix, I support your right to hunt but I am a little concerned that you may not have helped our cause by hunting on Public Land. The different groups of people that want to ban our sport use incidents like this to further their cause.

The fact that a member of the public walking his dog strolled through an area you where actively hunting is very concerning.

I would seek experienced Legal advice before making any written statement.

Anyway I hope it all works out for you and Good Luck.

Its just like if i was to go to Cobble**** Ford, thats public or somecrap, but every rambo and their guns are out there, Shooting what ever moves.
Instead of focusing on a 17 Year old kid, who barely gets time to go out with friends or hunts, Working from 7 till 6 everday sometimes even saturdays you gotta give me a break, Haha, I mean I had no intention of causing a headache for any one, i simply wanted to enjoy the sport and hobbie that i have adapted to, I don't see what their problem is. We're all entitled to our oppinions thats a given, We can Express our oppinoins to a certain level, Then it can become Confusing, Violent etc.

If this is such a big problem to Victoria Police, and state and Fedral Governemts and other party's we as Hunters should have a place where we can go without having the headache or suspicion that we're going to come underfire by anti-hunting and stuff like that, For example, Goverment and Sponsors fund Calder Park raceway for Drag Races, So peopel who are against Street Racings are happy since its in a controlled Area,

Therefore, We have plenty of land in Victoria how about they dedicate a few 100 hectres/acres for the bow hunters, and a few 100 acre hectres for the Rifleman.

We wouldn't have a problem if we had a place to go to! }
Just like the problems i faced a teen, when drinking with mates was a weekend thing, We'd sit in a park and drink, Police would come ask us to move on, we couldn't go home lol.

Just my 2 cents.

[hunt or be hunted]

great work bustin the bunny's mate and getting it on film, i tried to fild myself today shooting rabbits and its not easy, i shot one on film but it went down its burrow and it doesnt look like i hit it but he carried my arrow in his gut:( hope all works out for ya.

dan.

[Rock Steady]

Neix

We all face the problem of finding somewhere to hunt legally. I can walk 250 meters from my front door and shoot rabbits but it is public land so I do not.

After years of door knocking I have found several farmers who are happy to let me hunt legally on their land, NSW has also introduced hunting permits for some state forests etc.

Shortcuts can result in big problems.

As I said before Good Luck with the upcoming statement and get some experienced legal advice.

[Neix]

Neix

We all face the problem of finding somewhere to hunt legally. I can walk 250 meters from my front door and shoot rabbits but it is public land so I do not.

After years of door knocking I have found several farmers who are happy to let me hunt legally on their land, NSW has also introduced hunting permits for some state forests etc.

Shortcuts can result in big problems.

As I said before Good Luck with the upcoming statement and get some experienced legal advice.


All is well Chief,
Legal Statement is going to be undertaken by my mothers boss, a Barrister from the lawfirm.
And i do see where you're coming from,
Basically it takes one Bowhunter to misjudge his shot, and you wind up with someone with an arrow in them, Then Issues arise from that and They redo a law system etc.

[topendbowman]

you should have told them you only shoot ferals like rabbits and PIGS..lol :mad:
Yeah Victoria the Police State..I am so glad I got away from there all those years ago.

[Evil Taco]

although neix was doing the right thing and they shouldnt of taken his bow equiptment, ect lets try and remember that their doing there job.. to protect people, they are paid to ask questions and if they didnt know the proper rules on bowhunting then its probally a good thing they took it, what would happen if someone was walking around with a weapon that they didnt know was legal or not, let them go and someone ended up dead..?

theve got a complaint came in and made a mistake...? lets not go around calling them pigs and such.... maby some people have had bad experience with cops.. but their just doing there job and help the community...

im not a saint or anything, but i still respect the police...alot

[Clemo]

I wouldn’t expect to get your stuff back!
Hunting on public land without permission is against the law, regardless of what you are shooting.
You may be in some serious dodo. :(
You say the cops didn’t know the laws regarding bows, but im sure they know the laws regarding hunting on public land, Do you?

[huddo0312]

We wouldn't have a problem if we had a place to go to! }
Just like the problems i faced a teen, when drinking with mates was a weekend thing, We'd sit in a park and drink, Police would come ask us to move on, we couldn't go home lol.

You're right Neix. If you had a place to go you wouldn't have members of the public and the Police interrupting your hunt. It is up to you to secure your own hunting properties. Public land is a very grey area in this country. If it's land that a man can walk his dog on you shouldn't ever hunt there.
As for the Police moving you and your mates on when you were a teen, you're lucky they didn't arrest you for public and underage drinking. I can't drink in public and I'm forty. Correct me if I'm wrong but the legal drinking age is 18 in this country. In this case they were giving you a break and being good Cops. Probably didn't seem like it at the time.
By the way, you still are a teen Mate. We all know that you weren't doing any harm but think about how your actions effect others. Poor old bastard probably s#@t himself seeing you all camoed up with a scary weapon that he has no understanding of in your mits. As for the Jacks. They have a job to do. It's a dirty job most of the time. It pays s#@t, and they have to respond to any complaint from the public. Your actions also effect the bowhunting community. Please proceed carefully from here. For all our sakes.
Lecture over...

Dave

P.S. Clemo's probably right about your gear.

[ricochet]

Huddo and Clemo , Neix has posted the following-:


NEIX POSTED THE FOLLOWING, AS A FOLLOW UP TO HIS ORIGINAL POST-:



Received my bow back.
After yesterdays incounter with the police and confiscation of my bow and equipment,
I attended the Police station in inner Melbourne.
We undertook a discussion with a sergeant at the station about the incident, he had looked into it and found the 2 officers who had packed my bow up and taken into the station had been assigned to undertake a firearm course etc to familarise them selves with weapons that are illegal etc.
I was returned my bow with no fines. No Warnings, and a apologie was given from the officers them selves. They also said i was permitted to shoot in the reserve as it isn't council property and is going to be a construction sight in sevral months.

I for one will not be attending the hunting spot in case of another run in.
I'll stick to the farm lands around here etc.
__________________
Reflex Bighorn Hunter 2007 Camo Edition
70lb

All out Impact.




Cheers,
Rick

[huddo0312]

Neix

Glad to hear it had a happy ending... Seems to me you struck a good bunch of Cops. They could have made it much harder for you. A lesson learned perhaps. Good for you Lad.

Dave

[yatesy54]

BAD LUCK MATE. I have had cops pull me up before about hunting and posestion of a bow. i allways keep a copy of my rights, the rules and regulations on where i can hunt and laws about bow ownership in my hunting pack just in case and bad luck about your mob. Nice rabbits though.

zack

[yatesy54]

National Parks, State Parks, Coastal Parks,
Wilderness Parks
Most Wilderness, National, State and Coastal Parks are
closed to hunting at all times. However, you are
allowed to hunt in the parks listed below, subject to
varying conditions. Hunters must not possess a
firearm in, or transport a firearm through a park
(except in some instances) when hunting is prohibited.
Also, where hunting is allowed, firearms must only be
those calibres or gauges permitted for the species
available for hunting in that park.


State Forest And Other Unoccupied Crown
Land
Generally, hunting for pest animals and game species
is permitted in all State forests and unoccupied Crown
land (ie. Crown land that is not leased or licensed),
however, some restrictions may apply.
Hunters are advised to consult the local DSE Office for
specific information about any restrictions that apply
to the area of State forest or unoccupied Crown land
that they wish to hunt. Remember, many people use
State forests and other Crown land for recreation and
for their livelihood. Never shoot on or across public
roads or tracks and never shoot towards populated
areas, including camping and picnic areas and walking
tracks.
If hunting is permitted, pest animals may be hunted at
any time and hunting for game species is allowed only
during the open season for that species. Make sure
that you know when the open seasons are.
State Game Reserves
All State Game Reserves are available to duck hunting
during the open season. Tower Hill State Game
Reserve, near Warnambool, is closed to hunting every
day between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm.

Leased Crown Land
Game species in season and pest animals may be
hunted on leased land, provided that hunters have
obtained the permission of the lessee to enter the
area. Remember, many people use leased land for
recreation or for their livelihood. Never shoot on or
across an area of leased land without the permission
of the lessee and never shoot across public roads or
tracks or towards populated areas, including camping
and picnic areas and walking tracks.
If you are in doubt about the status of a particular
area, please contact your local DSE Office.
Licensed Crown Land
Hunting for game species (during the open season for
that species) and pest animals may be permitted on
licensed Crown land. If an area is licensed under the
Land Act 1958, hunters must obtain the permission of
the licensee before carrying or using firearms on that
area. This generally includes areas such as unused
roads and water frontages, which may be licensed for
grazing or other purposes.
If you are in doubt about the status of a particular
area, or require any further information, please
contact your local DSE Office.
Private Land
Game species in season and pest animals may be
hunted on private land provided that hunters have
obtained the permission of the land owner/manager.
You must not shoot on or across public roads or
tracks at any time.
If you are in doubt about the status of a particular
area, or require any further information, please
contact your local DSE Office.

[Clemo]

Good to hear, Glad it worked out in your favour.