Online licence holder services

You can apply for written permission to hunt on declared public land using online licence holder services or the Hunt NSW app if you hold a current NSW Restricted Game Hunting Licence .

Information required when booking a hunt includes details of:

• the vehicle you will be travelling in, including make, model, colour and registration number
• any dogs accompanying you, including breed, sex, colour and microchip number.

You can prefill this information for future written permissions using the 'Update your game hunting licence details' option.

Hunt NSW app

Search for 'Hunt NSW' on the Apple App Store or Google Play to download the app.

1. Login using your licence number and security PIN
2. Select 'DPI Hunting Portal' from the app home screen
3. Select 'Book a public land hunt'
4. Follow the steps to book your hunt
5. Select 'Close portal' to return to the app home screen.

Written permissions booked using the Hunt NSW app are automatically stored within the app. Select 'View' to open your permission or 'Hunt map' to view the hunting maps for the State forest you have booked (Hunt map can only be used once a written permission has started).

If you can't immediately see your permissions after completing a new booking, refresh the 'written permission' section:

• Scroll down to the 'Resources' section on your home screen
• Select the fourth option 'User account'
• Select 'Permissions'.

Read the Hunt NSW app user guide for detailed instructions and screenshots.

Online licence holder services

Follow these steps if you use a browser to access Online licence holder services:

1. Login using your licence number and security PIN
2. Select 'Book a public land hunt'
3. Follow the steps to book your hunt
4. Download the DPIRD hunting maps to a GPS-enabled device
5. Complete the declaration
6. Store your written permission digitally or print a copy.

NSW Game Hunting Licence holders are required to update their details within 14 days of any changes.

You can update the following details by logging into online services or accessing the online services portal within the Hunt NSW app:

• email address
• phone numbers (home phone, mobile, fax)
• residential address
• postal address

R-Licensed hunters can update the following information which will be used for written permission bookings:

• motor vehicle details
• hunting dog details

Once this information is recorded on our database, future written permission requests will be pre-filled with these details. You'll still be able to change them during your booking though.

If you're unable to use online licence holder services or Hunt NSW app, you can update your information by phoning 1800 748 848 or emailing hunting@dpird.nsw.gov.au.

R-Licence hunters who have completed face-to-face training through a Hunter LEAP trainer before 2023 need to some additional training before they receive access to book a public land hunt. This does not apply to new licence holders who completed online training.

A short 10 minute tutorial can be accessed by selecting 'Watch a tutorial on public land hunting' from the main menu of online services. The tutorial covers outdoor navigation, written permission conditions and signs you may see in NSW State forests.

Once you have watched the tutorial, complete the declaration and you'll be provided access to book a written permission to hunt on public land in NSW

You are required to provide a harvest return for all Written Permissions that are issued to hunt on public land. All harvest returns should be lodged online using Online licence holder services or the Hunt NSW app.

If you have two outstanding harvest returns, you will not be able to apply for another Written Permission until you have submitted a harvest return. You must indicate what you harvested as well as days spent hunting, hunting methods and sightings of possible diseases in living or deceased animals.

Licence holders using the Hunt NSW app are able to save harvest information across multiple days and upload photos of their harvests. At the end of your hunt, simply select 'Lodge return' to complete your return.

You can amend, reprint or cancel a written permission through Online licence holder services or by accessing the online portal from the Hunt NSW app.

Login using your licence number and security PIN, then select 'Amend, reprint or cancel a booking'.

• Permissions can be cancelled up to the day before your hunt commences.
• Amendments can be made before or during a hunt.
• If a multiple-day hunt has commenced, however you need to leave early, submit the harvest return so the remainder of days will be available to other hunters.

R-Licence hunters applying for written permission to hunt on public land must carry a GPS-enabled device at all times. The device must be able to locate you and must contain DPIRD maps that show hunting and exclusion zones for the forest you have booked.

Hunt NSW app

Licence holders using the Hunt NSW app do not need to separately download DPIRD hunting maps. The app attaches hunting maps to each written permission and quarterly map updates are applied automatically.

Online licence holder services

Licence holders not using the app are able to use a smartphone with a PDF map application such as Avenza to meet the GPS requirements, or any other GPS-enabled device.

After completing the steps to book a hunt, you will not receive access to a written permission until you have downloaded files to meet this mandatory requirement.

Map files may also be accessed through Online licence holder services without booking a hunt. Choose the 'View and download DPI hunting maps' option.

Please refer to the GPS download guide for assistance with downloading map files.

Species reports are published regularly, identifying which animals have recently been harvested in each forest.

You can find the most up to date species report by logging into Online licence holder services or opening the online portal within the Hunt NSW app. Select 'Check which species are present on public land'.

You can also view our Google map, which has a layer that only displays forests with recent reports of animal harvests.

You can only access the Native Game Bird portal if you hold a game hunting licence that is endorsed for game birds. If you need to update your licence, download and submit email hunting@dpi.nsw.gov.au with evidence you have completed the Waterfowl Identification Test.

Endorsed licence holders can access the native game bird portal through Online licence holder services by selecting 'View the native game bird portal for hunters'. Hunt NSW app users can open the 'NGBM portal' from the home screen. The portal allows you to access:

• native game bird property allocations (using a landholder's Native Game Bird Management (Owner/Occupier) Licence number) - check how many of which species are approved for harvest on each licensed property, then record this information in your Hunter Diary.
• native game bird harvest returns (to report harvested native game birds after a hunt) as were recorded in your Hunter Diary following your hunt.
• the landholder register, provided landholders have listed their contact information to seek assistance from licence holders.

Property allocations

To find out the available allocation for a property you intend to hunt, you must have the landholder's Native Game Bird Management (Owner/Occupier) Licence number..

You must find out the available allocation for each property you intend to hunt no earlier than 48 hours before attending the property. You must also record this number in your Hunter Diary before you hunt.

The available allocation for each property is colour-coded, as outlined below:

• green - property allocation available
• orange - native game bird harvests are approaching the allocation limit, exercise caution
• red - the property allocation has been reached or exceeded and is unavailable.

Digital written permissions

R-Licence holders are able to print or digitally store their written permissions for hunting on public land. All you need is a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet, that is capable of storing a copy of the permission and that you can use to display a legible copy of the permission if asked by an Inspector.

Hunt NSW app

Written permissions booked using the Hunt NSW app are automatically stored within the app. Search for 'Hunt NSW' on the Apple App Store or Google Play to download the app.

• For each current written permission, the number, State forest and dates booked will display in the 'Written permissions' section of your app home screen.
• Select 'View' to open your permission or 'Hunt map' to view the hunting maps for the State forest you have booked.

If you can't immediately see your permissions after completing a new booking, refresh the 'Written permission' section:

• Scroll down to the 'Resources' section on your home screen
• Select the fourth option 'User account'
• Select 'Permissions'.

Read the Hunt NSW app user guide for detailed instructions and screenshots.

Online licence holder services

If you use a browser to access Online licence holder services, you will need to digitally store your written permissions manually to your device.

There are no guidelines for acceptable files, you simply must be able to show a legible, digital copy of both written permission pages on the screen of your device.

Example file types may include: images (screenshots, photos), PDF, and HTML (browser-based page).

1. Proceed through the written permission application, making sure each field is populated with the correct details.
2. When prompted, download hunting and exclusion map files to your GPS enabled device and check the box when complete.
3. To proceed past the GPS map downloads to ‘Print written permission’, you must first check a box and agree to the terms and conditions of the written permission. These terms and conditions replace the need for you to physically print and sign your written permission.
4. Click ‘Print written permission’ when the button becomes available.
5. Click 'Download/Print' and the permission appears in a pop-up window. Pop-up troubleshooting information for a variety of browsers is below.
6. Then simply:
   1. Take a screenshot or photo of each page and save them to your photo library.
   2. Use the ‘Print’ dialogue box to ‘print’ the digital file to a PDF that may be saved to your phone.
   3. Use the extra options (depending on the type of mobile device you’re using) to send your permission to an email address or other folder on your mobile device.

Need help?

Contact our Customer Service Team on hunting@dpird.nsw.gov.au or 1800 748 848.

Reprinting from Online licence holder services

Note: Licence holders using the Hunt NSW app can access their current permissions at any time from their home screen.

1. Login using your licence number and security PIN
2. Select 'Amend, reprint or cancel a booking' from the main menu
3. Click the permission number that you would like to reprint
4. Click the middle button 'Reprint permit'
5. Complete the declaration
6. Click the green 'Download/Print' button.

Configuring your web browser to allow pop-up windows

Most web browsers include a feature to block pop-up windows. While this may eliminate unwanted or annoying pop-up windows, the feature will prevent Written Permissions from being viewed and printed.

Use the instructions below to configure your web browser to allow pop-up windows on websites.

Note: Some third party applications also block pop-ups, for example Google, MSN, and Yahoo! Toolbars. To allow pop-up windows with these applications you need to change your settings within the program.

Safari (OS X) – Mac books

Safari for OS X has no per-website control over blocking pop-up windows. Pop-ups are either blocked, or they are not. To allow pop-ups:

1. From the Safari menu, choose Preferences... and click the Security tab.
2. Ensure the Block pop-up windows option is not checked. Unchecking this option will allow pop-ups.
3. To block pop-ups once again, check the Block pop-up windows checkbox.

Safari (iOS) – iPads & iPhones

Safari for iOS has no per-website control over blocking pop-up windows. Pop-ups are either blocked, or they are not. To allow pop-ups:

1. From the Settings menu, choose Safari.
2. Scroll down to the Block pop-up option and move the slider to the off position (to the left). Unchecking this option will allow pop-ups.
3. To block pop-ups once again, move the Block pop-up slider to the on position (to the right).

Configuring your web browser to allow pop-up windows

Most web browsers include a feature to block pop-up windows. While this may eliminate unwanted or annoying pop-up windows, the feature will prevent Written Permissions from being viewed and printed.

Use the instructions below to configure your web browser to allow pop-up windows on websites.

Note: Some third party applications also block pop-ups, for example Google, MSN, and Yahoo! Toolbars. To allow pop-up windows with these applications you need to change your settings within the program.

Chrome (Windows/OS X)

To allow all websites to use pop-ups:

1. Click the icon with three horizontal bars in the upper right side of the browser toolbar.
2. Click Settings.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the Settings section and click Show advanced settings... .
4. In the Privacy section, click Content settings... . The Content settings window appears.
5. Scroll to the Pop-ups section, select the Allow all sites to show pop-ups radio button.
6. Click Done.

To allow only selected webpages:

1. Open Chrome, then go to the web page that you want to allow pop-ups.
2. In Chrome's URL window, highlight the entire web address of the current page, then choose the Copy command from the Edit menu or right-click and choose the Copy command.
3. Click the icon with three horizontal bars in the upper right side of the browser toolbar.
4. Click Settings.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the Settings section and click Show advanced settings... .
6. In the Privacy section, click Content settings... . The Content settings window appears.
7. Scroll to the Pop-ups section, and then ensure the Do not allow any site to show pop-ups radio button is selected.
8. Click Manage exceptions... .
9. In the Hostname pattern field, choose the Paste command from the Edit menu or right-click and choose the Paste command, and ensure the Behavior dropdown menu is set to Allow.
10. Click Done.
11. Close any remaining dialog boxes.

Firefox (Windows/OS X)

To allow all websites to use pop-ups:

1. Click the icon with three horizontal bars in the upper right side of the browser toolbar.
2. Select Options (Windows) or Preferences (OS X).
3. In the left sidebar, click on the Content icon to display the Content section.
4. In the Pop-ups section, remove the tick from the Block pop-up windows checkbox.
5. To block pop-ups once again, add a tick in the Block pop-up windows checkbox.

To allow only selected webpages:

1. Open Firefox, then go to the web page that you want to allow pop-ups.
2. In Firefox's URL window, highlight the entire web address of the current page, then choose the Copy command from the Edit menu or right-click and choose the Copy command.
3. Click the icon with three horizontal bars in the upper right side of the browser toolbar.
4. Select Options (Windows) or Preferences (OS X).
5. In the left sidebar, click on the Content icon to display the Content section.
6. In the Pop-ups section, ensure the Block pop-up windows checkbox is selected, then click the adjacent Exceptions... button.
7. In the Address of web site: field, choose the Paste command from the Edit menu or right-click and choose the Paste command, and then click Allow.
8. Click Save Changes.
9. Close any remaining dialog boxes.

Configuring your web browser to allow pop-up windows

Most web browsers include a feature to block pop-up windows. While this may eliminate unwanted or annoying pop-up windows, the feature will prevent Written Permissions from being viewed and printed.

Use the instructions below to configure your web browser to allow pop-up windows on websites.

Note: Some third party applications also block pop-ups, for example Google, MSN, and Yahoo! Toolbars. To allow pop-up windows with these applications you need to change your settings within the program.

Edge (Windows 10 only)

Microsoft Edge for Windows 10 has no per-website control over blocking pop-up windows. Pop-ups are either blocked, or they are not. To allow pop-ups:

1. Click the ellipsis icon (...) in the upper right corner of your web browser, and then click Settings.
2. In the Advanced settings section, click View advanced settings.
3. In the Block pop-ups section, click the switch to Off. Pop-ups are now allowed.
4. To block pop-ups once again, click the switch to On.

Internet Explorer (Windows)

When a website attempts to launch a new pop-up window, you may see dialog boxes alerting that a pop-up window has been blocked. Follow the instructions below to allow pop-up windows.

To allow all websites to use pop-ups:

1. From the Tools menu (the gear icon on the far right), select Internet options. The Internet Options dialog box opens.
2. Click on the Privacy tab.
3. Untick the checkbox for Turn on Pop-up Blocker.
4. Click Apply and then OK.

To allow only selected webpages:

1. Open Internet Explorer, then go to the web page that you want to allow pop-ups.
2. In Internet Explorer's Address field, highlight the entire web address of the current page, then right-click and choose the Copy command.
3. From the Tools menu (the gear icon on the far right), select Internet options. The Internet Options dialog box opens.
4. Click on the Privacy tab.
5. Under Pop-up Blocker ensure the Turn on Pop-up Blocker checkbox is checked, and then click Settings. The Pop-up Blocker Settings dialog box opens.
6. Right-click in the Address of website to allow: field, then choose the Paste command.
7. Click Add.
8. Close any remaining dialog boxes.