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'Conservation' Hunting in NSW State Forests
This is almost unbelievable news from Huw. Basically it seems some NSW bureaucrat has decided it's fine to let hunters loose in the same state forests many of us ride our bikes in (and are also used by walkers, horse riders, etc, etc). Dunno about anyone else, but I don't fancy being shot while out riding so may I suggest some letter writing on it.
Full details from Huw below...
Hello All,
You may recall that a couple of years ago the NSW Government allowed, for the first time, licensed hunters to operate in SOME State Forests of NSW. This was under the supposed guise of Feral Animal control but many believe it to have been a piece of political horse trading between the NSW Government and the Shooters Party. A government organization, The Game Council NSW (see http://www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au/) was set up to control this hunting by licensing hunters to shoot in the nominated forests.
At the time it was explained that the vast majority of nominated forests were remote from major population centres and used relatively infrequently by recreational users. This was very much a Trojan Horse as many of us had suspected. Last week a couple of hundred State Forests appeared in the NSW Government Gazette of March 7 as listed for Conservation Hunting starting in 30 days time
http://www.advertising.nswp.commerce.nsw.gov.au/...
A large number of these forests are very heavily used by mountain bikers, walkers, dog sledders, horse riders etc and many are close to urban population centres. Wingello, Lidsdale, Nowra, Ourimbah, Belanglo are all on the current list. In fact it seems as if most remaining State Forests are on the list (They are listed in alphabetical order in the various pdf downloads from the Gazette).
Whilst officially, if an event is notified to the Game Council (3 months notice must be given), then 'Conservation' Hunting cannot take place. However for everyday recreation there is absolutely nothing to stop a cyclist/walker/horserider etc and a hunter being mixed up in the same forest. The government say that a risk assessment process has been carried out but no-one has been able to answer how the safety of recreationalists can be guaranteed in a scenario as follows:
'A group of cyclists are riding some tracks in XX State Forest unaware that on a track 100 metres away is a hunter stalking his prey. This hunter is also unaware that the cyclists are on the other side of the trees. He takes aim.........he misses his prey........and the bullet continues on.........'
No-one doubts that feral animals are a major problem in Australia. However many staff in Forests NSW do not believe this system is the best way in which to control feral animals but they must implement the system for their government paymasters. And like I said earlier, this so called 'conservation' hunting is considered by many to be more a political than an environmental solution.
Getting people out there, keeping fit and enjoying the outdoors are so important. If you use these forests and want to continue to so safely then can I suggest you pass this email on to other likeminded souls. Also you might like to take it up with your local NSW member of parliament and make representations to Ian Macdonald, Minister for Primary Industries:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 02 9228 3344.Mr Macdonald's portfolio responsibilities include both The Game Council NSW and Forests NSW.
Best regards,
Huw Kingston
Wild Horizons
www.wildhorizons.com.au
A 'real' letter is probably more effective than email if you have the time. Mr Macdonald's postal address is: Governor Macquarie Tower, Level 33, 1 Farrer Place, SYDNEY NSW 2000
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Lidsdale was included in the first round of approvals 18 months ago or something.
Never seen anyone there shooting.
To the best of my knowledge before this there was no restriction on people shooting feral animals in State forests. Now it has to be approved and licensed so I'm not so sure we are any worse off or in any worse danger than we were before.
I haven't had a good look through the finer details but from my experience State Forest are a pretty switched on bunch so I don't think they'd approve something that is likely to get people shot on their land.
I've written to the Minister seeking more information about this issue and will post any response I get.
Well, according to the Game Council NSW (from http://www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au/portal.asp?p=A...):
Which would seem to imply that before Feb '06 hunting was banned on public lands. The same page explains how hunters must be licensed and have written permission to hunt. It also explains how other users will not be excluded from hunting lands but doesn't actually say how they hope to prevent accidents.
What with a plan to visit a couple of state forests this weekend I've written (snail mail, no less) to the minister and will share any info receieved.
don't relish the thought of a bullet while riding either my horse or bike - and maybe I am being blondie again - but don't the majority of hunters of them hunt at night? Isnt that when they find the most prey?
I hate hunting by the way.. .have no problem with target shooting though...
Christine, how do you get close enough to get the target on them.
Target shooting hey. It helps if you have a big weapon
http://picasaweb.google.com/choi.ben/ArmyPics/ph...
But yeah in all seriousness. I wouldn't want bullets flying around either! I better trade in my foam helmet for a kevlar one.
Rob if you would take the time to read the Hunting Code of Practice you would realise that you have no idea what you are talking about. You have just made the assumption that all hunters are irresponsible. The state forests are there for all of us to use.
I love your little scenario...
'A group of cyclists are riding some tracks in XX State Forest unaware that on a track 100 metres away is a hunter stalking his prey. This hunter is also unaware that the cyclists are on the other side of the trees. He takes aim.........he misses his prey........and the bullet continues on.........'
No hunter would take a shoot without knowing what was in the flight path of the bullet if they missed the target.
Rob I hate writing and never write but you have really given me the s@#ts, please do not write such damaging posts about any sports without having reasonable grounds to do so.
Hermet
I don't think hunters are irresponsible
I am a little peeved that that has been no consultations with existing users. CTMBC has a yearly permit in one of the forests on the list for inclusion. I notice that the code say that no permits will be given to hunters if notice of and event has been give 3 months prior.
It says nothing of how to give notice, who needs to give the notice (US, State forest who give us the go ahead?) or who to give the notice too.
Also what of recreational users who aren't required to give notice? what of people out doing trail maintenance?
Saying no hunter would take a shot without knowing what was in the flight path if the bullet missed is like saying no rider would ride manly dam in the wet.
No responsible and reasonable hunter/rider would do those things but unfortunately those don't make up the full 100% of the groups concerned.
I did fire off some correspondence to the Minister and our federal member expressing my concerns on behalf of my club. The only thing I have had back is a email from the gaming lobby asking for my postal address. It would seem what ever they have to say is too sensitive for email or something. Maybe they just wanted to know where I lived .....
Surprise surpassed only by the knowledge that all hunters have x-ray vision and can see through folage for great distances. Maybe the army should recruit some of your hunters, what a crack sniper squad that would be.
Why would Rob, or anyone here for that matter, take the time to read the hunting code of practice.
If it's your thing, well, I won't say good luck to you, but happy reading.
If you do not know what is behind the foliage you do not shoot, it is quite simple. You have also have not read the hunting code of practice. X-ray vision would be nice but I am sorry to tell you we don't have it. Just common sense, if you don't know what is behind the target you don't shoot. I have been hunting and not shoot all day but had many opportunities, they where not a safe shoots so you don’t shoot.
Thanks for being so open minded Hermet... now, if you actually read you would see the above was just a reprint from a mail Huw sent out, so please don't go slagging me off for it.
However, I did find it a bit worrying that the scenario may arise that hunters and cyclist may well be in the same forest at the same time. I have written to the minister about this and asked what precautions they were taking to prevent accidents. Unless perhaps you can explain how this will be guaranteed?
its not very common
how do you get close enough to get the target on them
is not my thing either, and as much as i hate guns, i do realize that there is a professional "sport" of shooting but Rob has a very valid reason for bringing this to our attention as im sure his senerio could indeed come true and im sure we all take our personal safety seriously.
Shooter takes aim, even though he has checked his bullet path should he miss, a mtber on a dh run could have easily come into that path in that time between checking shooting and missing his target, most of the people i ride with, hit fairly high speeds when going downhill so the senerio is sound.We are all imperfect,shooters included,acidents happen. We want to know how can this be controlled?
Sometimes people get upset when something negative is said about their sport which is understandable, but look if the point is valid or not first.
Thanks Rob for you concern