It’s now easier for Victorian hunters to find out where they can legally hunt across the state with the release of the Andrews Labor Government’s new electronic hunting maps.

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes launched the new maps on Victoria’s already popular More To Explore phone app, which is currently used by more than 20,000 people to navigate 3.9 million hectares of public land.

The app is Victoria’s first comprehensive electronic mapping system showing all public land available for hunters, as well as which species of both game animals and pests can be hunted in specific areas – with the maps also available for download to use offline or out of mobile range.

With more than  50,000 licensed hunters in Victoria, clearly showing where people can hunt is an important step towards making sure hunters are aware of their responsibilities and stay within legal boundaries.

The app is regularly updated to reflect changes in land status and show road closures and also features an emergency location function for public land users’ safety.

The app is useful for more than just hunters: it provides comprehensive information on State Forest camping sites, bushwalking and mountain bike trails, 4WD tracks and seasonal road closures.

The new electronic hunting maps are a key initiative under the Labor Government’s $5.3 million Sustainable Hunting Action Plan, which was adopted to support the game hunting industry’s long-term growth.

In January, the Government provided $6 million to the Game Management Authority to boost its compliance and enforcement capabilities and improve communication and education about legal hunting in Victoria.

More To Explore is available from the iOS App Store and the Google Play store. For more information on game hunting in Victoria, visit www.gma.vic.gov.au.