Acceptable fox and wild dog body parts
Foxes
Eligible applicants must submit the 'entire' fox scalp including both ears, the skin surrounding both eyes and the nose. Individual entire fox scalps can be air dried, frozen or fresh.
Entire fox scalps submitted in batches must be separated into individual scalps for identification and counting.
No blocks of frozen entire fox scalps will be accepted. Frozen material must be thawed prior to being submitted. No putrefying material will be accepted.
Only entire fox scalp including both ears, the skin surrounding both eyes and the nose will be accepted.
Agriculture Victoria bounty collection staff reserve the right to reject material submitted for bounty reward if they deem the submitted material does not meet section 4 of the terms and conditions.
The decisions made by Agriculture Victoria bounty collection staff to either accept or reject entire fox scalps for bounty reward are final and non-negotiable.
How to create an entire fox scalp
- After confirming the animal is dead, use a sharp knife to make an incision across the back of the skull behind the ears.
- Drawing the skin forward from the back of the skull, around the eyes to the tip of the nose, continue to separate the skin from the skull.
- The final entire fox scalp must be intact and include both ears, the skin surrounding both eyes and the nose.
Wild dogs
Eligible applicants must submit an entire wild dog body part which consists of a single piece of skin and fur running from the snout, incorporating the ears, along the animal's back and including the tail.
The wild dog body part must be submitted in a manner that enables it to be easily identified as a wild dog – for example, being flat and air dried.
No blocks of frozen wild dog body parts will be accepted. Frozen material must be thawed prior to being submitted. No putrefying material will be accepted.
Only entire wild dog body parts consisting of a single piece of skin and fur running from the snout incorporating the edges along the animal's back and including the tail will be accepted.
Agriculture Victoria bounty collection staff reserve the right to reject material submitted for bounty reward if they deem the submitted material does not meet section 4 of the terms and conditions.
The decisions of Agriculture Victoria bounty collection staff to either accept or reject wild dog body parts for bounty reward are final and non-negotiable.
How to create an entire wild dog skin
- After confirming the animal is dead, use a sharp knife to make an incision around the base of the tail, continue an incision along each side of the back of the animal leading to the skull.
- Drawing the skin forward from the tail, continue to cut and separate the skin along the back, around the head to include both ears, from the skull to the tip of the nose.
- The final wild dog body part must be intact and consist of a single piece of skin and fur running from the snout, incorporating the ears, along the animal's back and including the tail.
Why these body parts have been chosen
These body parts have been chosen to enable our staff to confirm they belong to a fox or wild dog and that they come from a single animal. The body parts selected purposefully differ from previous bounties to reduce the incidence of stockpiling outside of the current bounty collection period.
Requirements for carcass disposal
All fox and wild dog carcasses should be buried on the farm or collection site on which it was taken, as long as the burial site does not adversely impact:
- land
- surface waters
- groundwaters
- air (odour)
- cultural heritage
Dumping of animal carcasses is considered rubbish dumping or pollution depending on its scale and location.
Hunters should determine how carcasses will be disposed of prior to their collection.
Dumping of fox and wild dog carcasses affects the integrity of the Victorian fox and wild dog bounty program and reflects poorly on ethical hunters.
Enforcements
The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) is the agency responsible for investigating offences under the Environment Protection Act 2017. EPA Victoria is responsible for enforcing relevant laws where rubbish dumping creates significant pollution or environmental impacts.
Reports of illegal rubbish dumping, including animal carcasses, can be made to EPA Victoria on 1300 372 842 or visit EPA.
Hygiene precautions
People should be aware that foxes and wild dogs can carry the hydatid disease and a range of other parasites that are transferable to humans.
Persons handling foxes, wild dogs or their body parts should observe appropriate hygiene standards.
Community members presenting body parts for the bounty are encouraged to adopt appropriate hygiene practices. These include:
- wearing disposable gloves
- washing hands with soap and warm water
- using disinfectant before eating, drinking, smoking and going to the toilet.
Additionally, clothes should also be washed thoroughly after any contact with carcasses.
Further information
For further information contact our Customer Service Centre on 136 186.