What is declared public land?
Generally speaking, declared public land refers to conservation hunting areas available to current holders of a Restricted NSW Game Hunting Licence, issued by Game Council NSW, who have obtained written permission. Under the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002, declared public land may include areas managed by Forests NSW or the Department of Lands, not National Parks, or land under the Wilderness Act 1987 and land leased under the Western Lands Act 1901. A good example of a declared public land area is Grabine State Park, an 800ha Department of Lands area located on the Central Tablelands. With fox, rabbit, goat and feral cat problems, the Reserve Trust has endorsed the use of licensed hunters at Grabine during the winter months. The Trust sees this as an opportunity during a traditional low use period. It’s a win/win situation for both licensed hunters and public land managers.
