A HUNTER vehicle stop has ended in reprimand or charges over illegal hunting for three men.
Rural crime investigators were patrolling the Murrurundi and Little Jacks Creek areas on April 20 after reports of illegal hunting in the area.
They located a car on a private property on Merriwa Road about 6.45am when they located a vehicle carrying a dog crate. Police will allege the vehicle was trespassing and hunting illegally.
Officers spoke to the three men in the vehicle, finding that two of the five dogs were not microchipped and were fitted with electric shock collars.
The unregistered ute was searched and police seized knives, hunting collars, a GPS tracking unit, spotlights and various tools.
They arrested the three - aged 23, 17 and 15 - and took them to Muswellbrook police station.
The edlest man, from Belmore was charged with enter private land to hunt animal without owner consent, enter enclosed agricultural land accompanied by hunting dog, custody of knife in public place, have custody of non-prescribed electrical device (two counts), companion animal (other) not registered (two counts), and not identify companion animal as prescribed - other (two counts).
He won conditional bail and will face Muswellbrook Local Court on May 31.
The Hunterview 17-year-old was charged with enter private land to hunt animal without owner consent, enter enclosed agricultural land accompanied by hunting dog, never licensed person drive vehicle on road, cause or permit use of unregistered vehicle on road, and custody of knife in public place.
He faces a children's court next month.
The 15-year-old received a youth caution for hunt game animal on private land without consent of owner, and enter enclosed agricultural land accompanied by hunting dog.
Police urge anyone to report trespassing, illegal hunting, theft or malicious damage via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
As investigations continue, landowners are urged to report any incidents of trespassing, illegal hunting, theft and malicious damage to local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
