The state's Rural Crime Prevention Team has announced the forums to be held in Manilla on March 25, and Barraba on the night of March 17.

Rural crime investigators along with Oxley police will be on hand to discuss issues impacting the area including illegal hunting and trespass.

Police stepped up patrols of the Barraba area after a shocking case of animal cruelty involving a steer just a few weeks ago.

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The dead steer - which had been illegally hunted on a farm - was discovered on a Woodsreef property on February 14.

Police said it appeared offenders dragged the carcass toward a nearby creek and butchered the body on the bank.

According to investigators, the trespassers took off with the meat but left the animal's head, hooves and insides behind at the Woodsreef Road property.

Police said they had increased patrols in the surrounding area, after the Barraba property where the steer was killed and neighbouring farms reported more issues with illegal hunting during recent months.

In early February, Oxley and New England rural crime officers joined forces with the NSW DPI's Game Licensing Unit for a three-day operation to target illegal hunting.

It was triggered by a string of recent reports of illegal hunting in the Bundarra and Barraba areas, and two people were charged as a result of investigations.

The forum will be held at the Barraba Bowling Club on March 17 at 7pm. The Manilla meeting with be held at the Manilla RSL and Ex-Servicemens Club from 7pm.

Other issues including stock theft, farm security, safe storage and security of firearms and animal movement requirements and legislation will also be on the agenda for discussion.

For more information, contact the Oxley Rural Crime Prevention Team on 6768 2999.

A similar forum is scheduled for the Walgett area next month, while Nungan and Cobar will have meetings in May and June.

Local landholders are urged to attend the community forum on April 21 from 6pm at the Walgett Sporting Club to discuss rural crime and security issues.

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