The bush is so important for so many of us. It’s not just about hunting and deer, it’s where we go to decompress, to breathe, to remind ourselves about what’s important in life. For the people who live there, it’s where they work, where they make a living, where their homes are and where they deserve to feel safe.

Hunting and other outdoor tourism brings a lot to regional communities and small country towns. Unfortunately, it can also be a negative for some of the people who live there.

We know that it’s not all hunters, or even most hunters who do the wrong thing…but it is some hunters. We’re actually not all that interested in semantics (“but they’re poachers, they’re criminals”), as accurate as they may be. We’re not interested because the problems created by illegal and anti-social behaviour reflect on all of us and they lead to more restrictions on all of us.

We (the good, law abiding majority) didn’t create this problem, but, like it or not, we own at least a part of it. We need to be a part of the solution. If you see someone doing something wrong, report them - the standard that we walk past is that standard that we accept. 

Myrtleford Police are seeking information on two suspicious incidents over the weekend.

It is alleged at around 1pm on Saturday, four males of Middle Eastern appearance travelling in a white Toyota Hilux with a white canopy door knocked houses on Buffalo River Road and asked multiple residents for permission to shoot on their properties.

In a separate incident, a Black Angus in calf, believed to be worth around $2500, was shot between the eyes and left to die in Abbeyard around 4am Sunday.

Leading Senior Constable Bernard Murphy of Myrtleford Police said it is likely the two incidents are linked.

“That’s the sort of behaviour from people from out of town,” he said.

“It’s not normal behaviour and that brings it home a little bit.

“I know there are a lot of Hilux’s around town but we think that if anyone saw the group they would remember it so we ask anyone who may have seen a rego to come forward.

“They may not be linked but they also could be.”

Anyone who saw the men, or the car, on Saturday around Buffalo River Road or any suspicious behaviour in Abbeyard on Sunday morning are asked to phone Myrtleford Police on 5752 1003.

“We also ask that people in those areas who see suspicious behaviour from now on take down the rego of the car and any details because any information is better than none,” Leading Snr Constable Murphy said.