Port Stephens police have been quick to rule out a bikie turf war or the involvement of another gang in the shooting of the 31-year-old high-ranking Nomads member who suffered wounds to both thighs after being shot on Saturday.

But it is suspected a rift within some of the Hunter’s Nomads may have played a part in the victim suffering the broken femur and being left on a dirt track within Tomaree National Park.

The bleeding bikie was taken back to a Corlette address before emergency services were called on Saturday night.

However, the victim has refused to help police as they investigate who was responsible for the attack.

The investigation prompted searches of several homes associated with the Nomads at Singleton and Ashtonfield as well as the gang’s Islington clubhouse.

It also included the arrest of Ashtonfield man Zakary Jarrod Ross, 25, allegedly in possession of n unregistered Beretta pistol, ammunition, four vials of steroids and 25mg of the fertility drug Clomid.

Officers also allege Mr Ross had $7300 cash in his possession.

Nearly one kilogram of an unknown substance was also seized and sent away for analysis.

Mr Ross has pleaded not guilty to a range of offences and was refused bail. He is not facing any charges related to the shooting.

Specialist police returned to Big Rocky Track, off Gan Gan Road at One Mile Beach, and about five kilometres from Nelson Bay, on Wednesday to search for further evidence in the shooting.

Port Stephens local area commander Superintendent Chris Craner said investigators were not getting assistance from the injured man, and were appealing to the community for information.

“I must stress that this incident is a targeted shooting. Disappointingly we are receiving no assistance from those who are believed to be involved,’’ Superintendent Craner said.

“I am appealing to the general public for anyone with information about this incident to come forward.’’

Superintendent Craner said it was believed tensions within the Nomads may have prompted the shooting.

“I can say we do not believe it is related to any turf war or to another club; every person and place has links with the Nomads,’’ he said.

“If you saw anything unusual or suspicious in the vicinity of Gan Gan Road on Saturday contact Port Stephens Police or Crime Stoppers immediately.’’

EARLIER

DETECTIVES investigating the targeted shooting of a high-ranking bikie at Port Stephens believe they have found where he was shot – a dirt track near One Mile Beach.

The victim, 31, suffered a fractured left thigh bone and a wound to his other thigh after being shot last Saturday night.

The man, believed to be a high-ranking member of the Nomads bikie gang, remains in John Hunter Hospital after being found injured at a Corlette home.

He has refused to help police.

However, police now believe the victim was shot on the Big Rocky Track, off Gan Gan Road at One Beach Beach, and about five kilometres from Nelson Bay, and left on the side of the track.

He was then taken to the Corlette home where he was found injured.

Investigations led to a series of searches across the Hunter, including at the Nomads’ clubhouse at Islington and “associated residences’’ at Singleton Heights, Ashtonfield and Anna Bay.

Another Nomad member was pulled over in a car near Maitland where a loaded semi-automatic handgun and a significant quantity of methamphetamine was allegedly seized.

Specialist police from the dog squad and operational support group will search an area of the Big Rocky Track on Wednesday afternoon.

Port Stephens local area commander Superintendent Chris Craner said investigators were not getting assistance from the injured man, and were appealing to the community for information.

“I must stress that this incident is a targeted shooting. Disappointingly we are receiving no assistance from those who are believed to be involved,’’ Superintendent Craner said.

“I am appealing to the general public for anyone with information about this incident to come forward.

“If you saw anything unusual or suspicious in the vicinity of Gan Gan Road on Saturday contact Port Stephens Police or Crime Stoppers immediately.’’

More to come