Pest animals are a major problem for many landowners across the country.
Feral pigs, rabbits, foxes and wild dogs are a few common species that have made the most of favourable climatic conditions in recent years by increasing population numbers.
While there are calls for a coordinated and integrated management approach to be undertaken as part of the recently released draft Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plans, there are clear and distinct divisions among government, community and special interest groups as to the effectiveness of different approaches to the issue, which includes using volunteer recreational hunters.
According to the Sporting Shooters Association Australia (SSAA) NSW, a strategic, sustained management approach should be considered including recreational hunters.
“SSAA NSW is one such organisation that has the capacity to do this and has experience working with both public and private land managers to achieve wildlife management outcomes,” a spokesperson said.
“A perfect example of this can be illustrated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service Supplementary Pest Control Program trial that SSAA NSW members have been a part of and has gained wider community support.
“Following on from the independent report and recommendations from the Natural Resources Commission, the NSW government has announced that it intends to continue with and expand the program.
“SSAA NSW welcomes and fully supports this fantastic initiative.
“This clearly demonstrates that there is a role for volunteer recreational hunters who already contribute beneficially to agriculture, the environment, society and economy.
“Given the opportunity, there are thousands of recreational hunters throughout NSW that would be happy to participate in management programs and partnerships that have a strategic and sustained management approach.
“SSAA NSW is a strong advocate of this approach which is why it has a number of different ‘tools in the toolbox’ that are being used by members to assist with managing pest animals.”
- Contact: (02) 8889 0401 or email: admin@nsw.ssaa.org.au.