Dear All,
In a deal with the Shooters and Fishers party, the NSW Government has announced that hunting will be allowed to hunt in 79 National Parks.
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/premiers-park-hunting-backdown-the-price-of-power-sale-20120530-1ziik.html
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
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I am assuming that this is only part of the NSW Government’s plan to eradicate environmental pest animals. I have not doubt the NSW Government will even up the balance somewhat by providing permits to hunters and shooters to “hunt and shoot” feral animals on private property where, surely, the majority of these feral animals live and breed.
This Qld Government fact sheet contains an interesting observation concerning controlling wild pigs by shooting: Control of feral pigs fact sheet (PDF, 246 kB)
Quote: “Ground shooting is not effective in reducing the pig population unless intense shooting is undertaken on a small, isolated and accessible population of pigs.”
Make of that what you will.
Bob Inglis Sandstone Point Qld ===============================
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BOF was interviewed this morning on ABC 702. I understood him to say recreational shooters would only be allowed to accompany NPWS staff while shooting at times when pest eradication was taking place. He also said that this would take place with the consent of the NPWS Minister.
The present environment minster has indicated her views that logging can protect koalas and that dispersals are a fine thing for flying-foxes.
So while the legislation sounds reasonable, the implementation may not be sympathetic to the environment. There remains a considerable risk that this the first step in what is very likely to be a walk into unaccompanied hunting and the the broadening of the access and so on …
The use of non-professionals in the control of feral animals through killing is a serious business that raises concerns about cruelty, the competence of the people undertaking the shooting (both in terms of ability to shoot and ability to recognize what they are shooting) and the possibility of ‘stocking’ areas for shooting.
It has nothing to do with conservation and everything to do with vote buying from a minority of the populations.
Back to the birds …
storm
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8476226/shooters-will-be-monitored-parker-says http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-31/dismay-on-north-coast-about-national-parks-shooting/4044014 http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/power-deal-opens-parks-to-shooters-20120530-1zjje.html
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Greg,
Unfortunately, this move by the NSW Government is not about feral animal control. It is purely and simply to obtain the Shooters and Fishers party vote in the Upper House of the NSW Parliament, in order to be able to sell government assets. It is simply an act of quid pro quo, though it would seem with a different meaning to “pro”.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
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mals. The claim that this will assist with feral animal control is a furphy and the politicians and shooters should be open and honest about it. There is a Sydney Morning Herald survey which closes at midnight tonight. When I viewed it earlier over 70% of respondents had voted against letting shooters into national parks. The NSW National Parks Association is also mounting a campaign against the decision. ===============================
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Peter,
I am afraid that “seeding” of National Parks etc. close to major urban areas with feral animals, especially pigs, is a fact of life. It takes a fair bit of money to keep driving out to Upper Llareggub to shoot the little beasties. Much more cost effective to grab a trailer load of of youngsters and drop them off in the local State Forest or National Park and let them breed.
Cheers,
Carl Clifford
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As an ex-shooter I do not think the allowing of shooters into national parks is a good idea. Yes, they may rid the parks of some feral animals. But is there enough of a culture of appropriate behaviour among shooters to ensure the safety of other fauna and people? I wonder. I assume that many indulging in such sport will be city people reared in a low-risk environment who really don’t have much of a sense of the degree of responsibility needed to handle a weapon.
And how can kids reared on a diet of videos where those killed rise in the next new release, and where death is something that happens to others, have a true sense of its finality? I doubt that that politicians research such issues.
It also worries me that further legitimisation of shooting might have other ramifications. At one stage I had to join a pistol club – because I worked as a biological consultant often around waterways where there were crocodiles I owned a 457 Magnum. But on hearing of others boasting of their caches of illegal weapons I decided to give up both my membership and the weapon preferring to take my chances with the wildlife.
I do have friends and family that are responsible shooters – most of them are semi-traditional people. But even then there are cowboys. Some years ago my daughter-in-law said that men near Oenpelli, Arnhem Land had been targeting egrets. Fortunately enough community pressure was brought to bear and they stopped. That won’t be the case in NSW.
This is a very concerning development and there is nothing good about it. The control of feral animals in national parks and reserves is best carried out by professional shooters or by other methods such as baiting and trapping. If the sporting shooters were allowed to assist with ongoing feral animal control in a very coordinated way there could be some benefit but the system operating in state forests is in no way assisting feral animal control. The hunters in state forests go hunting when it suits them and not when it is most desirable from a feral animal control perspective. It is true that feral animal control in national parks is a major issue but providing additional funds to allow the professionals to do the culling using the most appropriate methods, which may or may not involve shooting, would allow real advances. The other problem with sporting shooters shooting in national parks is that it is not in their interest to severely reduce or eliminate the feral animals. The claim that this will assist with feral animal control is a furphy and the politicians and shooters should be open and honest about it. There is a Sydney Morning Herald survey which closes at midnight tonight. When I viewed it earlier over 70% of respondents had voted against letting shooters into national parks. The NSW National Parks Association is also mounting a campaign against the decision.
Greg Dr Greg. P. Clancy Ecologist and Wildlife Guide Coutts Crossing NSW 2460
Could it just be that the recent good conditions are allowing previously small populations top increase?
I’ve heard the stories of deliberate releases before, and while it’s quite believable, I’d like a bit more proof than an unexplained increase in numbers.
Peter Shute
Hello Alastair,
My suspicion is that the shooters are already introducing feral game animals into public lands where they were hitherto not found. In my area (Hunter Valley NSW) deer have recently appeared in Wallaroo National park and pigs in Heaton State Forest. It is not impossible that they walked there from other places where they are found but that seems to me to be an unlikely story.
Control of feral animals in National Parks is rightly a job for professional shooters. Governments occasionally respond to mass pressure. If enough people protest against this proposal they may reverse their decision.
Cheers,
Jim Smart East Maitland NSW
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Errgghhh…. How can it be allowed in some of those parks? Maquarie Marshes?!?!!?! In Round Hill and Goonoo, they’d end up shooting more Malleefowl than feral animals…… (the irresponsible hunters that is, I’m sure a few would do the right thing). Is birdlife mounting a campaign by any chance? Or any of the other conservation organisations?
Also, sorry for the formatting of my last email, when I send to the mailing list it seems to keep deleting all my paragraphs making the whole message a jumble of words…
Joshua Bergmark
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Hello Joshua and Birding Aus people,
The list of National Parks and Nature Reserves in which the NSW Government proposes to allow the shooters to practice their blood sports is below. It includes a lot of important birding areas. We must protest strong;y against this outrage.
Cheers,
Jim Smart East Maitland NSW
Does anyone know if there’s a list of the specific NPs where this is being allowed? We’ll have to make sure not to look like feral animals in our off-the-beaten-track wanderings….. Joshua Bergmark ===============================
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Surely this is the thin end of the wedge. Don’t forget this same Shooters Party was also looking at introducing foreign feral game into the parks for their edification and shooting in schools. Once shooters get this what is next?I am opposed to shooting in national parks! Regards Alastair
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Instinctively I don’t like this (as I don’t wish to be shot!) BUT I think I would like to see the details, which parks are exempt; if there are closed seasons; what rules there are to stop abuses; etc before I can condemn it.
It’s a shame that it was only done for cynical political reasons rather than a stand against invasive species…
Agree with Alan though – no issue at all with removing feral pests… The NPWS need all the help they can get.
Cheers all,
Ed
Ed Williams Kingsville, VIC (but formerly of NSW)
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Does anyone know if there’s a list of the specific NPs where this is being allowed? We’ll have to make sure not to look like feral animals in our off-the-beaten-track wanderings….. Joshua Bergmark > Date: Wed, 30 May 2012 16:52:23 +1000
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In my opinion, not being a shooter, as long as the shooting has strict guidelines and severe penalties for breaches, I think that it is a very good idea. National Parks staff, of which I have been one, are run off their feet generally with the other day-to-dy work that the control of ferals is often down on the list of priorities. I and no doubt “we”, have all seen the damage caused by feral pigs, deer, foxes, rabbits, dogs and cats in Parks and wondered as to what is being done about it…. But the guidelines must make it very *clear* that it is just not open season on all wildlife.
I would not be too outraged if there was a mandatory gaol term for those transporting live feral pigs or any of the animals listed. Forfeiture of their vehicles, licences and weapons should be automatic. Hunters shift feral pigs into areas cleaned out to maintain their sport.
Alan