There exists scant contemporary empirical consideration of the impacts of illegal hunting or shooting, such as damage to environments; harm to animals (native and livestock); risks of self-harm; harms to people and property; or the role of organized criminal elements. There is, though, a large volume of research related to illegal poaching, particularly poaching of endangered fauna in Africa and East Asia which has attracted transnational criminal elements. A differentiation between poaching and illegal hunting needs to be acknowledged: the former addresses notions of theft for profit; the latter often involves non-economic motivations and, in various instances, can be considered a ‘folk crime’, a form of political dissent, or resistance to conservation measures (see Pohja-Mykrä, 2016).

Trespass

Associated with illegal hunting is trespass. Unauthorized access to public (such as forests and parks) and private (such as farms) rural property can create social, psychological and economic harms to individual residents and rural communities – and to the rural sector by way of biosecurity threats. Such illegal access can result in confrontations, and in several countries has led to instances of farmers and hunters engaging in armed confrontation resulting in fatal injuries. In an Australian context, illegal hunting is a significant cultural phenomenon with a history dating back to the beginnings of colonization, with access to land and resources – for those who have none – being a long running issue. Such access has been an important part of the social history of many rural communities in economic, cultural and social terms.

Behaviours and impacts

Although recreational hunters contribute to local economies, there is serious concern regarding the activities of illegal hunting and shooting on both public and private land. The 2020 NSW Farm Crime Survey found that 46 per cent of farmers had experienced illegal hunting, the second most common offense after trespass (Mulrooney, 2021). Barclay’s 2015 research found that whilst livestock theft was relatively stable there was growing concern regarding trespassing and illegal hunting associated with what has been referred to as the ‘pig hunting craze’ in these two states. Offenders often go equipped with off-road vehicles, night vision goggles, GPS systems and high-powered rifles.