Hounds Australia (Incorporated) is dedicated to hounds and dogs used for the purposes of hunting. Though our primary interest is and has traditionally been in scent hounds, (we were established by long standing and well credentialed Victorian Sambar Houndsmen/Women) we are of the view that hunters using any of the dogs listed in Schedule 5 of the Victorian Wildlife (Game) Regulations require fair and equitable representation and advocacy.

In 2017 there were in excess of 4000 licensed hound hunters in the State of Victoria, a handful of whom are members of any hunting organisation. Our aim is to unite the hound hunting community under one banner and empower them to have a voice and a place at the decision making table in all matters relevant to hunting with hounds, deer hunting dogs and versatile hunting dogs.

Hounds Australia aims to form real and lasting alliances with other hunting organisations to secure, for posterity, the heritage of hunting with dogs in Victoria (and the rest of Australia) and to promote and advance the opportunities to use dogs for hunting through aggressive educational programs and political action. Educational programs will promote hunting with hounds/dogs to the general public, the sportsmen’s community and elected officials. Political action may include all state and local offices including Federal elections and will include lobbying the members of the Victorian State Parliament in support of the right to hunt with hounds/dogs, to increase hunting opportunities, to recognise ALL recognised scent hound breeds for use in hunting Sambar and include them in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife (Game) Regulations.

Make no mistake, this is not a social club. Hounds Australia has been set up by “rusted on” hound hunters for hound hunters. We are not happy with the ‘status quo’ and aren’t prepared to rest on our laurels. Hounds Australia members were instrumental in saving hound hunting when it was under imminent threat of being banned forever. We are not in the business of criticising other hunting organisations – however we are not happy with the deal we as houndsmen/women currently have been dealt. We will not be represented those who have adopted an impotent and passive approach.
With the current push by the Greens to declare vast tracts of our traditional hunting area as the “Great Forest National Park” we face significant additional restrictions.

We are an inclusive, agile and committed group who think and operate strategically. Hounds Australia is a lean organisation which will maintain focus on the issues at hand and emerging issues affecting our way of life.

All newsletters, correspondence etc will (where ever possible) disseminated to the membership electronically, via Social Media (Face-book, Instagram etc.) and on our web site www.houndsaustralia.com.au. Hounds Australia. We are also organising some pod-casts and you-tube clips

Membership will also be dealt with electronically. Membership applications will be available on this site. Applicants can fill them out and send them to us via email. Your membership card will be sent to you as a PDF which you print out sign and laminate if you wish. For fee structure and payment methods see the attached membership application.