Rural crime police warn hunters to stay out of national parks after fine issued in Pilliga West National Park

Rural crime officers have been out and about in numbers, determined to ensure hunters are doing the right thing, and not in the wrong place.

A man was caught with two dogs running ahead of his ute in the Pilliga West National Park about 10.15pm.

Rural crime officers were patrolling the park when they spotted the grey Toyota Hilux travelling at low speed.

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As they moved closer, they spotted two dogs on the move in front of the ute, as well as a medium-sized dead pig, or sow, in the back of the ute tray.

Scans of the dog found one wasn't microchipped, while both had no name tag on their collars - in breach of rules.

Officers slapped the man with a $500 fine for hunting or possessing an animal in a park, and also recorded other official warnings or a dog note wearing a collar, and not identify companion animal as prescribed.

"There is no excuse for hunting in a national park, particularly when there are half a dozen state forests within an hour's drive which allow night time hunting with dogs," Moree-based Detective Sergeant Bennett Nolan. said

"Anyone who is caught illegally hunting will be on our radar and may face confiscation of vehicles and equipment."

Last weekend, officers wrapped up a blitz across the Nundle, Murrurundi and Upper Hunter areas.

Detective Nolan - who is the North West Rural Crime Zone Coordinator - warned hunters they needed to ensure their pig dogs are identified properly, in accordance with the state's laws.

"All hunting dogs must be microchipped, registered, and wear a name tag in public," he said.