Bounty back in 2023

The Victorian Government’s fox and wild dog bounty has resumed for 2023.

Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Officers will again operate monthly collection centres across the state from March until October.

Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Manager Jason Wishart said participants could submit entire fox scalps for a $10 reward and/or entire wild dog body parts for a $120 reward at specified collection centres during scheduled collection times.

“I urge participants to refresh their knowledge of the bounty terms and conditions to ensure their bounty submissions are accepted,” Mr Wishart said.

The Fox and Wild Dog Bounty program received $6.7 million in the Victorian Government’s 2020-21 Budget and will continue until 2024.

Since the program was introduced in 2011, over a million fox scalps and close to 4,630 wild dog body parts have been collected in Victoria.

“In 2022 alone, some 82,558 fox scalps and 384 wild dog body parts were collected,” Mr Wishart said.

“Foxes and wild dogs require ongoing management by all land managers and Agriculture Victoria encourages an integrated approach using a range of management practices.

“The bounty offers incentive for community participation in fox and wild dog management, but other techniques also are important to effectively manage the damage they cause.”

Foxes and wild dogs prey on livestock, especially lambs and sheep, inflicting significant economic and production loss to Victoria’s livestock sector. They also have an impact on native wildlife.

Participants are reminded that the Victorian Fox and Wild Dog Bounty has gone digital.

“Agriculture Victoria introduced the new system last year to streamline the application process, reduce wait times at collection centres and allow participants to keep track of bounty applications,” Mr Wishart said.

To register for the new digital system, please visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/bounty and follow the prompts.

Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/bounty to find out more or call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.