Hi everyone This is a despicable act and as some have already pointed out is very likely to be the thin edge of the wedge. If shooting in national parks becomes the norm, anything else proposed for their future ‘development’ and ‘improvement’ will be a breeze to push through. The argument over control of feral animals is complete crap and a smokescreen – this is all about keeping the Shooters Party happy and that should concern us all. I have already written to the Premier’s office, for what it is worth. I think Greg’s response sums it up very well. How the hell will this be monitored and managed – if there is not the current resource to manage pest eradication in our protected areas, how can shooters’ activities be managed and controlled? Do you really think that shooters are pushing for this out of their passionate desire to rid parks of introduced species? Have a look back at the annual reports including photos we are sent here in birding-aus from Victoria’s duck hunting season if you want to see carcasses of Freckled Ducks and other protected species killed under ‘controlled’ conditions by licensed shooters. In the end, does it follow with any logic that many of those who get pleasure from shooting would be overly concerned about what it was they were shooting? Why would they want access to national parks when pest species are already widespread across vast public areas of the state? Locations mentioned on the news last night as being amongst the 79 parks in which shooting would be permitted included Myall Lakes and Barrington Tops, but regardless I don’t think it’s the actual locations which are important – it’s the principle. National parks are not created for hunting and shooters, whether you change the name of the activity to pest control or any other euphemism. I am not at all opposed to pest eradication projects in protected areas using shooters where and if this is done in a very carefully controlled and monitored way. This proposal is not based on these principles at all. It’s a deal for power with the Shooters Party. Eric Finley
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