NSW Game Council newsletter for Xmas 2004

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erron
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NSW Game Council newsletter for Xmas 2004

#1 Post by erron » Mon Nov 29, 2004 6:38 pm

available for download at:

http://www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au/porta ... dition.pdf

text version:
GAME COUNCIL NSW

Monthly Update Nov/Dec 2004
Volume 1, Issue 5

(Please note: this newsletter is available with graphics and photographs as a .pdf file)

HUNTERS HELPING LANDHOLDERS

ONE of Game Council’s objectives is to match responsible hunting with game and feral animal management to deliver environmental and community benefits.
To achieve this objective, Game Council is currently working with landholders, hunters and government agencies across the State to develop feral animal control programs.
The integrated control programs are focused on wild deer, feral goats, wild dogs, waterfowl and hares.
Through working groups with stakeholder representatives, Game Managers are providing advice on control strategies to assist landholders.
In the near future, working groups will call for Expressions of Interest from Game Hunting Licence holders to assist in the control programs.
Game Council Operations Manager Brian Boyle said he was pleased with the response to the Game Council co-ordinated programs.
“It shows Game Council can play a vital role in mitigation and that there is a demand for this type of program,’’ he said. “The key to success is matching the program with landholder’s objectives.’’
Proper consideration of risk management plus consultation and communication with neighboring stakeholders also helps ensure a strategic approach and effective outcomes.

WILD DEER CONTROL PROGRAM

JUST months after the arrival of Game Council, the first steps are being taken to resolve a 20-year-old problem in north eastern NSW.
The Hastings Valley Hunting Club commenced the first deer control programs with the support of the Mid North Coast Deer Working Group which includes representation from Game Council, government agencies, NSW Police, hunting organisations and RSPCA.
Whilst still in its infancy, the Port Macquarie Deer Control Program is already a demonstration of how responsible, licensed hunters can provide a positive contribution to the community, FREE of charge.
Further information on this program: Craig Henderson, Game Manager, North East NSW, phone (02) 6581 4084.


FACT FILE: Feral Goats

 Herbivory by feral goats is listed as a key threatening process under the Threatened Species Conservation Act.
 The main populations of feral goats occur in NSW, QLD, WA and SA.
 Feral goats damage vegetation, soils and native fauna in large areas of pastoral land that are overgrazed.
 Australia has approx. 2.6-million feral goats which compete with livestock for fodder and cause $4M per annum in production loss.


WE SUPPORT CONSERVATION HUNTING

MANAGING the impact of game species and feral animals on our natural and agricultural environments is the basis of conservation hunting.
Game Council believes the concept and practice of conservation hunting has always been close to the hearts of responsible hunters. However until the establishment of this new statutory authority, NSW had not taken full advantage of the capabilities of hunters on private and public land in an organised, regulated way. By controlling animal populations, public and private landholders will have greater opportunity to conserve our delicate ecosystems with the help of structured conservation hunting activities.


ARE YOU HUNTING WITHOUT A LICENCE?

IF you hunt deer, game birds and waterfowl on private property in NSW, chances are you require a G-Licence from Game Council NSW.
New legislation - the Game and Feral Animal Control Act—now requires people hunting the game species of deer, California quail, pheasant, partridge, peafowl and turkey on private land in NSW to hold a G-Licence.
Those intending to hunt ducks under the National Parks & Wildlife Service “Game Bird Management Program” also require a G-Licence to participate in the 2004/05 season.

WHO IS EXEMPT?
►Farmers, their families, household members and employees hunting on the landholder’s property.
►Government agency personnel and professional shooters engaged in hunting game and feral animals as part of their employment.
►An Aboriginal person who is hunting on native title land, or a registered native claim; who is a member (or in the company of a member) of a Local Aboriginal Land Council and undertaking traditional hunting.

G-LICENCE METER: 3300 issued between September 1, 2004 and November 30, 2004.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS…

Q. “I already have an A and B licence for pest and vermin control. Does this mean I still require a Game Hunting Licence?...”

A. The firearms licence is a mandatory requirement that relates to the firearm itself.
Hunting is a separate issue and if you wish to hunt deer and game birds on private land in NSW, you will require a NSW Game Hunting Licence (G-Licence) from the Game Council, unless exempt.
There are four types of G-Licences: Standard ($60/yr); Visitors ($100/yr); Hunting Guide ($150/yr) and Commercial Hunter ($250/yr).
Game Hunting Licence application forms are available by phoning the Game Council on (02) 6360 5100 or you can download a copy from our website:
www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au



AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE PERCEPTIONS: A message from the CEO, Ross McKinney

THIS month’s newsletter has a strong emphasis on conservation hunting.
Many hunters already practice conservation hunting, perhaps without even realising it. For example, the damage by feral animals is conservatively estimated at well over $700M every year and the impact is even greater in terms of the immense damage caused to biodiversity and the environment.
With growing recognition of the need for broader control options and reduced reliance on poisoning, the establishment of Game Council NSW is timely and presents an opportunity for hunters to play an even greater role in feral animal control. It is also an opportunity for hunters to work with farmers and other landholders to improve management of game and feral animals.
The success of this approach is already evident in the property-based game management programs used in Tasmania.
As we work towards the gazettal of public land in NSW for hunting, I ask that all responsible hunters support the objectives of the Game Council and help build a more positive community perception of hunters based on demonstrated achievements.
It’s hard to believe that Christmas is almost here. This is our last newsletter for the year and on behalf of the team, I wish all our readers and supporters a safe and happy Christmas.
Game Council’s next newsletter will be published in January 2005.
Safe hunting.


STAFF PROFILE: Paul Lovelock

SOME might argue that being based in coastal Bateman’s Bay is the life.
Perhaps that’s why bowhunting enthusiast Paul Lovelock moved, with his family, from Buxton to Bateman’s Bay, to become Game Manager for the Snowy/South East region.
Paul has been making his mark, attending club meetings and working with land managers as Game Council progresses towards the gazettal of declared public land for hunting.
In recent years, Paul completed his Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in Sustainable Resource Management. He completed three research projects in his final year on hunting as a means of conservation and has a background in Australian Customs and environmental management with Local Government. With Game Council’s emphasis on conservation hunting, Paul’s experience has well equipped him for the Game Manager position. If you would like to contact Paul to become a licence application form distributor for Game Council NSW, please contact Paul on (02) 4478 9105.






SEEKING GAME MEAT RECIPES
Game Council is promoting the benefits of consuming game meat such as venison. We want to feature featuring delicious reader recipes on our website and in future editions of this Newsletter. If you’ve got a game meat recipe you’d like to share, please send it to us!
▲The recipe (above) was kindly supplied by Maxine Clark for Mandagery Creek Australian Farmed Venison. For more wonderful summer and winter venison recipes, visit the website: www.mandagerycreek.com.au

Venison with Balsamic Sauce & Berries

Ingredients
2 Mandagery Creek venison tenderloins or
1kg piece Mandagery Creek venison leg, sliced into thick steaks about 3cm
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tblspns balsamic vinegar
150ml red wine
1 tblspn redcurrant jelly
1 punnet fresh raspberries or blueberries
50g butter or olive oil
2 tblspns balsamic vinegar
150ml red wine
1 tblspn redcurrant jelly
1 punnet fresh raspberries or blueberries

Preparation:

1. Remove venison from packaging and allow to reach room temperature. Rub with a small amount of olive oil and freshly cracked black pepper.
2. Heat a heavy based pan until hot, sear the venison and then reduce the heat to medium. Cook the tenderloin about 4 mins each side and the steaks about 3 mins each side. Remove from pan to a serving plate, cover and leave to rest while you make the sauce.
3. Set the pan over the heat and add the balsamic vinegar, wine and redcurrant jelly. Bring to the boil, scraping up any sediment from the pan and boil fast until reduced by half. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
4. Slice the venison (across the grain) and serve with the sauce. Accompany with couscous, creamy mashed potatoes or steamed chats and summer salads.

COOKING TIP
As venison is a very lean meat, best results will be achieved if it is served rare to medium-rare in order to retain the meat's juiciness and tenderness. It is very important to not over-cook venison and always allow it to rest for at least five minutes before serving in any recipe.

ENDS

GAME COUNCIL NSW, PO Box 2506, ORANGE NSW 2800
Ph: (02) 6360 5100 / Fax: (02) 6361 2093, Email: info@gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au

Cheers,

Erron

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