Fwd: [Greens-Media] Hunters given access to future NationalParks

[David Stowe Photography <>]

Hi all
I must admit that I am a little surprised by the majority view on this list towards this issue. 
Having seen the incredible damage to our environment that feral species do I am all for allowing hunters to get rid of as many as possible. There have been dozens of posts about how to kill common mynas yet when someone wants to shoot a pig or fox or feral cat they are put into a whole different light. Surely one of the most effective ways to control introduced species is hunting. The professional shooters that I know of are extremely efficient and skilled and wouldn’t waste a bullet on a little bird. The dogs they take with them are also typically much more trained to go after pigs than pigeons. Gun licenses are so much harder to obtain these days so most of these shooters would be pretty serious. There are always going to be exceptions but there are always exceptions in every example. Is it any worse than having scores of people constantly tramp through a paddock of long grass trying to disturb a button-quail just to see it and potentially tread on its nest or force them out of that habitat? (I’m not trying to judge anyone that did this recently at Cuppits lane as I was one of them – but the thought has impacted on me a lot since)

Standing in Iron Range NP at the Smugglers tree watching Eclectus Parrots calling was an amazing experience. What a shame I was standing in a massive pig rutted section of “virgin” rainforest where the ground for more than 100 metres was torn up by ferals.
Let the hunters in so that our native species get a chance. If not for the birds then certainly for our native mammals.

Cheers
Dave


On 8/3/06 7:49 AM, "Geoff (BT)" <> wrote:

> Hi All
> 
> I'm speaking a little emotively here rather than from research, but to allow
> hunters to hunt introduced species only is like allowing a chocoholic loose
> in a chocolate factory. If Aussie hunters are on par with many hunters,
> there will be many birds down through "collateral damage" or just plain
> ignorance. Sounds like someone in power is either a hunter or has lost his
> marbles. Don't let it happen !
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Geoff Bowen
> Norwich, UK
> 
> coming to OZ in April !
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: 
>  Behalf Of Andrew Taylor
> Sent: 06 March 2006 22:43
> To: Michael Hunter
> Cc: 
> Subject: Re: [BIRDING-AUS] Fwd: [Greens-Media] Hunters given access to
> future NationalParks
> 
> 
> On Tue, Mar 07, 2006 at 08:56:25AM +1100, Michael Hunter wrote:
>> What are they hunting?
> 
> Introduced species, see: http://www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au/ info.
> With the current suspension of duck hunting, only introduced species
> can be hunted (recreationally) on any land in NSW.
> 
> Andrew
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