cheers,M O N T H L Y U P D A T E
A U G U S T 2 0 0 5
FAQs
Hunter survey
Hunter education
Out & About
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T H I S I S S U E
Game Council NSW was invited to present two Papers at the
2005 NSW Pest Animal Conference in Coffs Harbour.
The July conference brings together land managers from across
NSW who have responsibilities for pest animal management, to discuss
current and potential pest animal problems and possible solutions.
The NSW Pest Animal Council endorses the conference which is
coordinated by NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Papers presented by Game Council NSW:
1. Game Council NSW: another tool in the battle against feral animals,
presented by Game Council Operations Manager, Brian Boyle.
2. Hunter involvement in community-based feral animal control programs,
presented by Game Council Game Manager, Craig Henderson.
The Papers can be downloaded from Game Council’s website:
www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au
2005 NSW PEST ANIMAL CONTROL CONFERENCE
Game Council NSW
will be represented
by Game Manager
Paul Lovelock on a Committee
formed in southern NSW to
address problems associated
with feral pigs in the region.
At the request of Hume Rural
Lands Protection Board (RLPB),
the Game Council was invited
to attend a meeting at Carabost
in southern NSW about pest
animals and associated illegal
hunting activities where it was
decided the Committee would
be formed.
Game Council NSW was
represented at the meeting by
Operations Manager Brian Boyle
and Paul Lovelock which also
discussed pest animal hunting in
National Parks, State forests and
private pine plantations.
The meeting was also attended by
other government agencies such
as NSW Police, Greater Hume
Shire and Forests NSW.
Game Council NSW highlighted
licensing and a mandatory
hunter Code of Practice as a
positive move in addressing
issues associated with illegal
hunting activities.
COMMITTEE FORMED TO ADDRESS
RURAL CRIME
Above: Game Manager Craig Henderson
presents his paper to the conference.
Below: Game Managers Brent Waldron,
Robbie Lynn, Steve Hurt & Paul Lovelock
at the conference.
HUNTER
SURVEY
Most, if not all of us know and understand that legitimate, responsible
hunters contribute to the economic, social and environmental
wellbeing of our communities.
This contribution is particularly relevant to rural communities when
consideration is given to the number of ways in which hunters
actually contribute. Some evidence or data is available to substantiate
contributions but this information needs to be updated. A recent
survey developed by the University of Sydney and mailed out to 4000
licensed hunters has enabled new information to be gathered.
Game Council NSW is pleased to report that more than 1500
responses to the survey have so far been received, and they continue
to arrive daily.
The next step is to evaluate and publish the results in a future
newsletter and on Game Council’s website.
A BIG THANK YOU to all those hunters who have taken the time to
respond.
Why has public land so far not been made available to
NSW hunters?
The Game Council is working closely with stakeholders on the
broadscale declaration of public land for hunting, particularly in areas
where game or feral animal populations are considered high.
A thorough risk assessment and consultation process must be, and is
currently being, undertaken to determine areas of public land where
game hunting may become available in the future. While it is difficult
to give an exact date, Game Council must also ensure there are
adequate amounts of land available to licensed hunters, therefore it is
envisaged the first declarations may not be made until 2006.
Game Council NSW will be represented at AgQuip 2005 in
Gunnedah from August 23-25.
Game Managers will be on hand to answer questions about the
changes to hunting in NSW. There will also be the opportunity to win
a 12 inch RM Williams cast iron camp oven valued at $150 by visiting
the Game Council stand, which will be located in a pavilion within
Zone 2 of the site.
Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre is offering exciting
postgraduate opportunities to participate in creating solutions
for one of Australia’s most significant environmental issues. Taxfree
scholarships of $25,000 per annum are available. About 20
projects are being offered in ecology, economics, veterinary science,
psychology, business and mathematical modelling.
Full details are available at:
http://www.pestanimal.crc.org.au/education.htm
FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
UPCOMING
EVENTS
SCHOLARSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES
As the Chairman of
Game Council’s
Ethics and Education
Committee, I would like to take
this opportunity to report on the
progress of the NSW Hunter
Education Handbook.
After many months in the
making, this comprehensive
educational handbook – being
produced by Game Council
NSW – is nearing the final
stages of production.
With input from some of the
finest expertise in the field, the
Handbook will be available
to hunting clubs and hunters
for a small fee to help cover
production costs. It will be
available in hard copy and
electronic format and will be
accompanied by an Assessors’
Guide to simplify delivery of the
hunter education course that it is
designed to support.
The provision of this Handbook
is a major contribution to the
education and training of
responsible hunters in NSW.
If the Game Council’s by-line
‘conservation hunting’ is to
mean anything, it will be up to
hunters to demonstrate that
they have the attitude and the
knowledge that it takes to live up
to this image.
The Handbook and open book
test will be a pre-requisite for the
Restricted NSW Game Hunting
Licence (R-Licence) to hunt on
declared public land in NSW.
However, for your own benefit,
MONTHLY COMMENT
Dr. Tony English
Councillor Game Council NSW
Chairman Ethics, Education and Training Committee Game Council NSW
Director University of Sydney’s Wildlife Health and Conservation Centre
Member NSW Zoological Parks Board & Chair of the Board’s Zoological Committee
Member Royal NP Rusa deer Working Party
Member NSW Kangaroo Management Advisory Panel
President World Association of Wildlife Veterinarians
Member Board of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute
I urge all hunters to obtain a
copy and update your hunting
knowledge.
With the declaration of
public land for game hunting
approaching, Game Council
NSW is now registering
Approved Hunting Organisations
who would like to obtain a copy
of The NSW Hunter Education
Handbook for their membership.
To do so, simply telephone
Game Council NSW on 02 6360
5100 or email:
prmgr@gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au
Further updates on the availability
GAME COUNCIL ACCREDITED
TRAINING COURSES
The following courses have been accredited by Game Council NSW
and suffice as ‘adequate’ training for the R-Licence:
Bowhunter Proficiency Course
Australian Bowhunting Association
Hunter Education Course
Australian Deer Association, Victoria and Queensland branches.
Hunting & Conservation Accreditation Course
Sporting Shooters Association of Australia, NSW and Victoria branches.
PLEASE NOTE that Game Council has received submissions for
accreditation of other hunting courses and these are currently being
processed.
LIKE TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN THIS NEWSLETTER?
PLEASE PHONE THE PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER ON
02 6360 5103 FOR RATES.
of the handbook will be
published in future newsletters
and on Game Council’s website:
www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au
DID YOU KNOW?
¦ The Nepean Hunters Club
was formed 36 years ago in
1970. The club’s mission is to
foster all aspects of hunting
and to teach new hunters the
laws, safety procedures and
responsibilities. On its website,
Nepean Hunter’s Club states
that it endeavors to foster
admiration and fondness for the
wildlife its members hunt, and
they are justifiably proud of the
part they play in promulgating
the time-honored pastime of
hunting.
¦ The Australian Bowhunting
Association Inc is the national
body for bowhunting. It is
affiliated with the International
Field Archery Association
and the World Bowhunting
Organisation.
¦ The Alpine Hunting, Shooting
& Fishing Club Pty Ltd can
offer new shooters detailed
advice and training in the use of
firearms. Once competency is
proven, the club can offer active
members access to hunting
properties and land, camping
and shooting with other club
members.
Visit www.ozhunters.com
Game Manager Steve Hurt and Paul Lovelock represented
Game Council NSW at the 2005 Penrith Gun Show held
recently.
The annual event attracted thousands of hunters from across the
State and beyond. Steve and Paul reported a positive response to
Game Council NSW, handing out hundreds of licence application
forms and information packs.
OUT & ABOUT Penrith Gun Show
GAME COUNCIL NSW
PO Box 2506 Orange NSW 2800
P 02 6360 5100 F 02 6361 2093
E prmgr@gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au
W www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au
FREE SUBSCRIPTION
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Email: info@gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au
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RESPECT
RESPECT for the law
RESPECT for the landowner
RESPECT for the environment
RESPECT for all animals
GAME COUNCIL NSW:
promoting responsible, ethical hunting
Game Manager for south eastern NSW, Paul Lovelock,
speaks with Norm Webster at the Penrith Gun Show.
Erron
