THE Victorian government will no longer pay a $100 wild dog bounty, but will continue to pay $10 per fox scalp.
Since 2011, there have been 2129 wild dogs scalps collected in Victoria, with more than $200,000 paid out in bounties until the program was ceased on June 30.
A spokeswoman for Victorian Agriculture Minister, Jaala Pulford, said the government believes effective management of wild dog populations required an integrated approach, including poison baiting, trapping, exclusion fencing, and hunting.
She said aerial baiting formed a key part of the government's approach, with around 4000 baits injected with 1080 due to be dropped on Crown land this Spring.
"This is on top of wild dog controllers and field officers working with farmers and local communities to trap and shoot wild dogs in problem areas," the spokeswoman said.
She said this integrated approach also relied on government, the community, industry and other land managers working together to reduce the impact on stock.
Since March, there have been 24 community consultation workshops aimed at incorporating local knowledge and experience to develop 15 Wild Dog Management Zone work plans.
"These workshops provide an important opportunity for farmers to contribute their very specific local knowledge and experience to develop local approaches for wild dog control and specify operational targets for both government and community over the coming year," the spokeswoman said.
The government is also looking at the hunting sector and its role in assisting with conservation and pest management efforts.
"We are working with the Game Management Authority and Parks Victoria to explore further opportunities for hunters in this space," she said.
The government has committed funding to continuing the fox bounty with over 402,000 fox scalps submitted since inception in 2011.
The $10 reward for entire fox scalps will continue until the end of October 2015, when collections will cease for 2015.
