Licensed recreational hunters will once again get the opportunity to hunt some of the most popular hunting forests in NSW during March and April 2025, with registrations for the annual public land hunting ballot opening this Friday.
To ensure the safety of all forest users, the number of licensed hunters allowed to hunt in State forests that are declared and open to hunting on any day is restricted based on the available hunting area.
The booking system normally operates on a first-in-first served basis, which means popular forests often book out quickly during peak hunting periods.
The public land hunting ballot ensures hunters holding a current Restricted Game Hunting Licence (R-Licence) have a fair and equitable opportunity to hunt Maragle South State Forest and Mannus State Forest during the peak period.
Only Australian residents who hold a current NSW R-Licence (including minor R-Licence holders) are eligible to register for balloted hunts.
The ballot period in 2025 will run from 1 March to 3 May, with normal online bookings for Maragle South State Forest and Mannus State Forest unavailable during this time. Only ballot winners will be issued written permission to hunt during this period.
All hunters must comply with a range of conditions when hunting on declared public land, including licence conditions, general permission and forest specific conditions, and the NSW Game Hunting Licence Code of Practice. Only game and feral animals listed on their written permission may be targeted, including deer, feral pigs, goats, foxes, hares, rabbits, feral cats and wild dogs.
R-Licensed hunters interested in hunting these popular forests during March and April next year, have until 11.59pm on Sunday 17 November to register for the ballots. There is no fee for entering the ballot.
To check your eligibility and register for the public land hunting ballot visit
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
“The annual public land hunting ballot ensures that hunter access and participation is managed sustainably in some of the most popular forests for hunting.
“Bookings to hunt in these popular forests during peak hunting season are often hard to secure, so the ballot is a great way to ensure that all licensed hunters have a fair chance.
“There is over 2-million hectares of declared hunting State forest in NSW, of which 1.2 million hectares is currently open and available to licensed hunting.
“Hunting takes place in State forests alongside multiple uses including renewable timber production, environmental protection and tourism.
“Hunting on public land hunting is strictly regulated in NSW and underpinned by a risk assessment ensuring that it is undertaken safely.”
