HUNTERS armed with guns and attack dogs appear to be active in Devilbend Reserve, more than two years after the former reservoir near Moorooduc was handed over to Parks Victoria and declared a natural features reserve.

A butchered kangaroo carcass was discovered by volunteers at a recent working bee in the reserve.

They reported seeing a truck with cages for hunting dogs and said locks and chains securing the reserve gates had been cut.

The gruesome find has angered conservationists, who say Devilbend should be protected from all forms of hunting, including fishing.

In a letter to chief ranger Bob Brinkman, Australian Wildlife Protection Council president Maryland Wilson, who is a member of the Devilbend Foundation, stated hunters were "making a mockery" of Devilbend management.

"Parks Victoria is incapable of managing this Jewel on the Mornington Peninsula," she wrote. "Devilbend Conservation Reserve needs a Ranger to live on the premises full time and this is not being done. Why not? As a result, hoons with guns and hunting dogs are free to go into the park and destroy remaining wildlife and cater to their most basic instincts of cruelty to animals."

Parks Victoria is yet to adopt a management plan for Devilbend amid debate about what recreational activities should be allowed in the reserve.

The Mail asked Parks Victoria to comment on management of the reserve, but a reply had not been received at the time of going to press.