Mick
Re bustard hunting - I assume it's the same as for emus. It's mainly
young Aboriginal men in my experience who hunt them - some will shoot
anything. One of my relatives was appalled to find local young men had
knocked off several egrets, not to eat but just for fun!
Luckily most outstations in the Top End are only supplied with tractors -
too slow to chase anything much although the men still try. Older people
like my sister Esther attempt to reign them in, but without much success.
Some graziers have a bustard for Christmas dinner rather than turkey, but
as with Aboriginal people I suspect numbers shot are overall, rather
small.
I suspect that grazing is behind the big decline, and with beef markets
expected to expand as the UK and possibly Europe lose theirs there will
be even more pressure on the country.
Denise
Denise Goodfellow (Lawungkurr Maralngurra)
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