Be prepared for natural events
Hunting is a great way to experience the outdoors, with all the mental health benefits that go with nature and exercise.
Being in remote areas can pose risks to hunters though, especially during extreme weather and natural disasters.
NSW boasts great natural beauty, but this comes with the threat of natural disasters such as fires, floods and storms. Natural disasters can happen suddenly; anywhere, anytime and often without warning.
Being prepared, understanding the risks you may face and planning how to respond, could save your life one day.
The information below applies to both private and public land hunters. However, NSW Restricted Game Hunting Licence (R-Licence) holders have written permission conditions that may prevent hunting at certain times.
Plan your hunt
Write down your hunting plan. Leave a copy with a family member or friend and keep a copy in your car. Your plan should include the basics of:
- where you will be hunting (be as specific as possible)
- who you will be hunting with
- your mobile number and the contact numbers of your hunting partners
- how you will get to and from your hunting location (which route you will take)
- time you will leave
- time you expect to return.
Your plan should also include specifics about what you will do in an emergency:
- how you will get back to your vehicle (if possible)
- what your backup plan is, in case you can’t reach your vehicle
- what road you will take out of the emergency
- what your backup plan is, in case the road is blocked
- what emergency equipment you will have with you.
Stick to the plan, or let your family member or friend know if you make any changes to your plan while out hunting. In an emergency, your plan will be used to guide response agencies.
Many areas of NSW do not have mobile phone coverage. Purchasing and carrying a personal locator beacon (PLB) is essential if you travel to remote areas or hunt during seasons of heightened environmental risks.
A PLB is also known as an emergency beacon. When activated, it sends a signal via satellite to emergency services.
Make sure you test your PLB regularly to ensure it still works and you know how to use it.
Only activate a PLB if you are in danger or injured. Once activated, stay where you are.
In addition to your basic survival and hunting pack, it is wise to take some extra items specifically for emergencies. Package your emergency kit separately to other items and keep it easily accessible.
- First aid kit.
- 2 large garbage bags and at least 10 m of rope to build a shelter.
- Signalling devices such as a plastic whistle and mirror.
- Compass and topographic map of the area.
- Some high-energy food, such as a protein bar or trail mix.
- Space blanket.
- Extra clothing that is suitable for the seasonal risk you might face, such as cotton clothing and material you can dampen during bush fires.
Don't forget to take plenty of water, more than you think you will need! You could also carry water purification tablets or a filtration device to make sure you can always access safe drinking water.
Be informed
Monitor conditions in the lead up to your hunt and keep monitoring while you have mobile phone coverage. Know what the alert levels mean and what action to take.
Know where you can find nearby mobile phone coverage and regularly travel there during your hunt so you can receive important information and alerts.
The Australian Warning System is a national information and warning service. The service issues Calls to Actions for hazards like bushfire, flood, storm, cyclone, extreme heat and severe weather.
There are three warning levels:
- Yellow – Advice
An incident has started. There is no immediate danger. Stay up to date in case the situation changes. - Orange – Watch and Act
There is a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family. - Red – Emergency Warning
An Emergency Warning is the highest level of warning. You may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.
These are the national icons that will be used in an emergency:
Bush fire |
Storm |
Extreme heat |
Flood |
Cyclone |
Other |
Fire danger ratings and total fire bans are determined each afternoon for the following day
Total fire bans mean no fires out in the open. The ban helps limit the potential of fires developing.
Fire danger ratings give you an indication of the consequences of a fire, if one was to start. The higher the fire danger rating, the more dangerous a fire is likely to be.
Even if there is no Total Fire Ban declared, you should be familiar with the fire alert levels used in NSW.
Check fire danger ratings and total fire bans on the Rural Fire Service website.
- At MODERATE, most fires can be controlled. Plan, prepare and be ready to act if there is a fire.
- At HIGH, be ready to act. Fires can be dangerous, so be alert for fires in your area.
- At EXTREME, fires will spread quickly and become extremely dangerous. If a fire starts, take immediate action. If you and your property are not prepared to the highest level, go to a safer location well before the fire impacts.
- Under CATASTROPHIC conditions, if a fire starts and takes hold, lives are likely to be lost. For your survival, leave bush fire risk areas.
- NO RATING – the white bar is used on days when there is no fire danger and means no action required.
| FIRE DANGER RATING | WHAT YOU SHOULD DO |
|---|---|
| CATASTROPHIC | For your survival, leave bush fire risk areas.
|
| EXTREME | Take action now to protect your life and property.
|
| HIGH | Be ready to act.
|
| MODERATE | Plan and prepare.
|
| NO RATING |
|
Hazards Near Me
In NSW, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and State Emergency Service (SES) are the two agencies that respond to emergencies.
You can receive current information about local emergencies from both agencies through the Hazards Near Me app.
The app will show:
- information on bush fires and floods
- advice on what to do to stay safe
- fire danger ratings
- total fire bans
- hazard reduction activities.
Enable push notifications to be alerted to new incidents and when information changes.
Hazards Near Me is an easy way for R-Licence holders to check for Total Fire Bans so they can comply with permission condition number 7: Fires before hunting a forest they have booked.
Download Hazards Near Me from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Emergency+
The Emergency+ app uses the GPS functionality of your mobile phone to help emergency services locate you. The app can send latitude and longitude details as well as address and suburb. The app includes the option of calling the Triple Zero (000), the SES (132 500) or Police Assistance Line (131 444).
Although reliant on mobile phone coverage, DPI Hunting recommends that every hunter has this app on their mobile device as an extra safety precaution.
Download Emergency+ from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
BOM Weather
The BOM Weather app taps into Australia’s national Bureau of Meteorology’s forecasts, warnings, radar images and current conditions alerts.
Hunters must be prepared for the weather before heading bush. BOM Weather gives you access to the most accurate weather information available, so you can plan whether to go or not.
Download BOM Weather from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Understand your risk
Bush fires
To report a fire or if your life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000).
Bush fires can happen at any time in NSW, but the peak fire risk is in spring to mid-summer. If you do intend to hunt at a time of high bush fire risk, make sure you know the level of risk for your hunting location. Be prepared for a sudden change in conditions.
You can check whether the forest or area you’re travelling to is prone to bush fires on the RFS website.
Enter a forest name, region or locality in the address bar to search. You can also drag and drop a red marker on to the area you wish to check.
Always check for Total Fire Bans and fire danger ratings on the RFS website or through the Hazards Near Me app. Set up a watch zone in the app to stay up to date.
Private land hunters should consider cancelling their hunt if the property is in a bush fire prone area and it’s a Total Fire Ban day.
In an area with immediate bush fire risk, local radio, tv and news will have important alerts and fire danger warnings.
Other resources include:
- Bush Fire Information Line: 1800 679 737
- Facebook: facebook.com/nswrfs
- X (formerly Twitter): twitter.com/nswrfs
R-Licence hunters must not hunt on public land if there is a Total Fire Ban in place. This is written permission condition number 7: Fires.
The land manager for State forests, Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) is one of four statutory firefighting authorities in NSW. They are responsible for managing fire in around two million hectares of native and plantation forests.
All permit activities, such as licensed hunting with written permission, is prohibited on Total Fire Ban days as a safety measure to protect individuals who have been given permission to be in a forest.
If R-Licence holders are hunting in remote areas and without mobile phone coverage, this increases the risk they will be in an emergency.
During the fire season FCNSW uses a range of methods for early detection of bush fires, such as aircraft, lightning detection and a network of staffed fire towers.
If there is a serious bush fire in a forest, FCNSW will close the forest to the public. A forest closure can occur suddenly, especially if it was not possible to detect a bush fire early.
R-Licence holders must always check whether a forest is open or closed before hunting. This applies all the time, even if there is no risk of bush fire or other emergency. This is written permission condition number 6: Closures.
Always check the FCNSW website before hunting and cancel your trip and written permission if the forest is closed.
Your clothing should be cotton or another natural fibre
Wear or take with you:
- wide-brimmed hat
- eye protection googles
- facemask or cloth that you can moisten
- loose, long-sleeved cotton shirt
- gloves
- long cotton pants/jeans
- sturdy leather shoes or boots.
Even if you’re away from flames, radiant heat from the fire is a major threat.
- Cover all your skin as soon as possible.
- Try to locate a solid object to provide protection.
- Move away from the fire as far as you can.
If your life is at risk, contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.
On foot:
- Do not panic or try to outrun the fire – if you see smoke ahead, turn back.
- Find a cleared area with rocks, hollows, embankments, streams or roads to protect you and avoid hilltops.
- Keep low and cover any exposed skin.
- Drink water and cover your mouth with a damp cloth.
In a car:
- Face the front of your car towards the fire and park off the road in a clear area away from trees, scrub and tall grass.
- Close the windows and air vents.
- Turn off the engine and turn on headlights and hazard lights.
- Cover yourself with a woollen blanket and stay in the car below the windows to protect yourself from radiant heat.
- Drink plenty of water and cover your mouth with a damp cloth.
- Stay down until the sound of the fire has passed, then carefully leave the car (it will be hot).
Knowing about fire behaviour could help you in the bush during a fire emergency. Not hunting or leaving early is always the best option though.
- Bush fires are quick to ignite and unpredictable.
- Hot, dry and windy days pose the greatest risk.
- Multiple hot days dry out vegetation and make it easier to burn, especially if there hasn’t been rain for a while.
- Ground fuel burns easily and give off more heat when they burn.
- Dry tree bark can carry fire to the treetops, making it easier for the fire to break away and spread further.
- Wind is one of the biggest factors affecting fire direction, intensity and speed.
- Wind change is the most dangerous influence.
- Embers can travel up to 40 km ahead of the fire front and start spot fires without warning (ember attack).
- Spot fires start new fire fronts and can quickly join together, blocking escape.
- Fire speeds can reach over 25 km/h.
- Flame temperatures can reach up to 1100 degrees Celsius with radiating heat also a threat.
- Fire burns faster uphill: for every 10 degree slope, the fire will double its speed and become more intense.
- Fire travelling downhill will halve its speed for every 10 degree slope and become less intense.
