The DPI launched its information guide for being a responsible pig dogger this week at Mount Canobolas after it found the majority of people found illegal hunting in state forests were pig doggers.

Game licensing director Dr Andrew Moriarty said hunters entering land without permission was a major problem and public land management agencies were struggling to detect those posing a safety risk.

“There’s been illegal pig hunting in this particular national park and there are hikers, there are people here today with their kids picnicking and a range of different things - it’s really a case of enough is enough,” he said

“They need permission to be on a property, whether they’re pig hunter or someone who uses a firearm, you should not be hunting or entering any property unless you actually have permission from the landholder or the land manager to be there.”

Dr Moriarty said all hunters in state forests needed a restricted game hunting licence, only available to those who were members of a club and completed a DPI-set course, but it included public liability insurance up to $20 million.

He warned inspectors were out on operations most weekends to detect and deter illegal hunting.

“If they don’t comply with provisions, we can issue penalty infringements, issue court attendance notices and take them to court, seize their equipment and seize vehicles,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said police had found illegal pig hunting had led to more serious crimes.

“People are entering properties, creating damage, creating stock theft and it leads to petrol theft and a whole range of other more serious crimes and as NSW Police, we’re very concerned about this,” he said.

“We’ve had a lot of problems in the last couple of weeks where some very good sheep on a property were attacked by dogs that weren’t kept properly.”

Property owners who experience problems with illegal hunting can contact the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.