If the ever-increasing popularity of recreational hunting is anything to go by, there's bound to be a novice hunter somewhere waiting with bated breath for the next hunting season.

Contrary to what a large number of novice hunters may think, there's more to this sporting activity than getting the relevant gun license. This article explains why first-time recreational hunters may need to hire a legal expert and a locksmith before they can set off for the bush.

The Hunter Meets The Locksmith

Immediately after a gun license is issued and a firearm is purchased, first-time hunting enthusiasts will need a professional locksmith who will fabricate a gun safe that will serve as the primary storage location for the gun.

There are stringent requirements that must be met for a gun safe to be considered a fit location for storing firearms.  For example, gun license holders are required to ensure that a firearm storage compartment allows for a gun owner to store the firearm and its ammunition separately. At the very least, this means that a novice hunter will need a safe that features a minimum of two separate chambers, both of which are locked using different keys or different digital locks.

Different categories of firearms also have different storage requirements. For example, Category A and B firearms may be stored in a safe made from hardwood, while firearms that fall in Category C and H must be stored in a safe made of steel.

Novice hunters should remember that they can have their gun license revoked for failing to meet the minimum storage requirements spelt out for the category of firearms that they own and use.

The Hunter Meets The Wildlife Defense Lawyer

The nature of recreational hunting in Australia is that rules and regulations that govern this activity are formulated at state-level. Thus, hunting activities that may be termed "acceptable or legal" in the Australian Capital Territory (for example) may be considered to be illegal in New South Wales.

For example, recreational hunting on public land is prohibited in the Australian Capital Territory, while NSW allows for this activity on specified public lands.

Wildlife defense lawyers understand the different regulations for most (if not all) states. Getting counsel from one such legal practitioner will help novice hunters to ensure that their hunting-related activities comply with the relevant legislative policies in their respective state territories.

More importantly, getting counsel from a legal practitioner will help a novice hunter to identify the states that have less stringent hunting regulations. Perhaps the hunter might be interested in making a stop-over in one of these states just before hunting season is declared open.