Two men are facing court and have had their home raided after police investigating alleged illegal hunting near Armidale laid a string of firearms charges.
Police were first called to a rural property on Thunderbolts Way at Yarrowyck, about 20 kilometres west of Armidale, on Sunday 22 March 2026.
Officers were told three men had allegedly entered the private property to hunt.
According to police, the property owner and others at the location confronted the group and removed a firearm from their possession before police arrived.
Rural Crime Investigators attached to New England Police District attended the scene, seized the firearm and began an investigation into the incident.
Following weeks of inquiries, investigators – assisted by the Northern Region Operations Support Group – executed a search warrant at a home in Coffs Harbour about 7.30am on Tuesday 19 May.
Two men, aged 40 and 69, were arrested and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station.
Police charged the 40-year-old man with five offences: firing a firearm into a building or onto enclosed lands, acquiring a prohibited firearm while subject to a prohibition order, using an unauthorised prohibited firearm, using an unregistered prohibited firearm, and acquiring ammunition while subject to a prohibition order.
The 69-year-old man was charged with four offences, including firing a firearm into a building or onto enclosed lands, acquiring a prohibited firearm while subject to a prohibition order, using an unauthorised prohibited firearm, and using an unregistered prohibited firearm.
Both will face court for an initial bail hearing today.
The incident comes amid ongoing concerns from landholders across the New England region about illegal hunting and trespassing on private rural properties.
According to NSW Hunting guidelines, hunters must always have permission before hunting on any type of land. While permission to hunt on private land can legally be given verbally, authorities recommend obtaining written consent in case hunters are asked to produce evidence by police or hunting inspectors.
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