Book your hunt on public land or renew your licence

IN MELBOURNE THIS WEEKEND? SEE US AT SHOT EXPO

The countdown’s on and Game Council is gearing up for the 2013 SHOT Expo in Melbourne over 25-26 May! Planning to attend? Make sure you stop by the Game Council stands 324 & 325.

We’ll be conducting free R-licence accreditations all weekend and providing the most recent updates on the national parks and duck mitigation programs – there’s never been a better time to hunt NSW.

Want more info on the event? Check out: http://shotexpo.com.au/

UPDATES ON GAME BIRD HUNTING - GAME COUNCIL

Game Council is now administering game bird management in NSW.

Read more about the Game Bird Management Program here.

20,000 HUNTERS LICENSED AND 178 FORESTS RE-DECLARED FOR HUNTING

There’s never been a better time to hunt in NSW – and the 20,000 NSW hunters who hold current game hunting licences issued by Game Council NSW couldn’t agree more.

The 20,000 licences milestone, reached at the beginning of May, reflects the commitment of the hunting community to support the tightest public land hunting regulations in the country.

“Our licensing system was introduced in 2002 and the uptake of licences hasn’t stopped growing since,” Chairman John Mumford said earlier today.

Game Council has been at the forefront of an important cultural change in the hunting community. Hunters want to be responsible, legal and insured and are demonstrating a level of professionalism that has not been seen in the community before.

“For me this all about hunter education,” Mr Mumford said. “This milestone means that 20,000 hunters have received important training focused on firearms safety, legislative compliance, animal welfare and hunter ethics. They have committed themselves to ongoing education and to uphold a comprehensive Code of Practice.”

The record licence peak has coincided with the recent re-declaration of 178 State forests for a further 10 years.

“These re-declarations demonstrate the Government’s continued support for licensed hunters and reflect the impeccable safety record of public land hunting in NSW - in over 80,000 hunting days there have been no serious injuries or fatalities involving hunters, workers or the public.”

Game Council licensed hunters have removed over 91,000 game and feral animals from public land in NSW, with numbers expected to exceed 100,000 in a few months. They also cover all their own costs and are estimated to contribute over $1.3 million annually to the NSW economy.

Click here to download this media release

BOW FISHING FOR CARP PROPOSAL

Game Council in conjunction with the Australian Bowhunters Association have been lobbying for the introduction of bow fishing of carp for several years.

The proposal has been included in a discussion document released today by NSW DPI Fisheries on proposed changes to aspects of recreational fisheries management.

Stakeholders are invited to make comment on the discussion document by 31 July 2013. The section on bow fishing can be located on pages 15 and 16 of the document.

The website for information on this matter is: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/info/review.

Stakeholders can also download the discussion document and submission forms or submit a comment on the proposal at this website.

PRIZE WINNERS OF PBA SURVEY COMPETITION ANNOUNCED

Your answers to the Public Benefit survey are being analysed as we speak and we have the pleasure of sending a few of you some great prizes.

The blaze hat draw results are in... and the winners are:

Thank you to everyone that took the time to respond to the survey. Your answers will help compile our annual Public Benefit Assessment that clearly demonstrates the benefit your hunting activities have in this State. Thank you all for your continued support of Game Council.

FOREST RE-DECLARATIONS

The Minister for Primary Industries has re-declared 178 State forests, first declared in May 2008, for a period of ten years, concluding on 26 April 2023. The orders are expected to be published in a special issue of the NSW Government Gazette tomorrow, Thursday 2 May 2013. Bookings are now available for forests in this list that were previously opened to general hunting.

Click here to see the gazette notice

You can also access the orders by using the links below. The re-declaration order has been separated into 8 files for ease of downloading.

1. Airly Sf - Bourbah Sf
2. Bowman Sf - Clive Sf
3. Collombatti Sf - Etoo Sf
4. Euglo South Sf - Lidsdale Sf
5. Lorne Sf - Mulyandry Sf
6. Murda Sf - Palmer Sf
7. Parkhurst Sf - Tallegar Sf
8. Tanja Sf - Woomargama Sf

NATIONAL PARKS

As you may already be aware, there have been delays in implementation of the new Government policy to allow R-licensed hunters into selected National Parks. It was going to start in March but, with recent Government decisions, is now expected to start later in 2013.

In the last 6 months, Game Council staff have been working very effectively with NPWS to develop the system and rules for how things will operate in National Parks once it starts. In the meantime, it remains illegal to hunt or take a firearm into any national park or other NPWS reserve. Please help convey this message to all your hunting colleagues.

Keep an eye on the Game Council website for news on when and how things will start in National Parks.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about pest control in National Parks

STAY SAFE THIS DEER SEASON

Game Council's newest recruit, REACH Officer Mike Spray, has some important advice for you in the countdown to deer season 2013 for Fallow, Red and Wapiti deer.

“All hunters need to refresh and remember their responsibilities when using firearms.  We all know the deer rut is a popular time for hunting, there will be many of you out there and it’s important to know and understand the basic rules of firearms safety.  If hunters comply with all parts of each rule, at all times, then unwanted firearms incidents will be avoided.

“Most hunting incidents involve members of the same hunting party.  Hunters should always remain in visual contact with each other; if you lose sight of your hunting companion, cease hunting immediately. Only resume hunting when visual contact is regained and confirmed.  High visibility clothing assists you with maintaining visual contact and remember, when hunting on public land, it’s mandatory for R Licence holders to wear a hat or beanie and/or an article of clothing worn externally on the upper part of the body that is predominately blaze orange.

“Remember to identify your target beyond all doubt – this is the cardinal rule when hunting.  Identify the whole animal to confirm it’s the target animal.  Never ever fire at movement, shape, colour or sound.

“Study and remember the conditions of your Written Permission.  When you are hunting, ensure you have suitable navigation tools including maps, a compass and a GPS and ensure you stay within your hunting area.  Hunt only in areas where you are authorised. Be aware of what land you are on at all times, there will be neighbouring properties which you cannot hunt on without the prior permission of the land manager. Do not hunt in exclusion zones, and remember, hunting with firearms or bows is not permitted at night.  Ensure you thoroughly read all of these conditions and do not forget your written permission will not be valid unless it is signed by you, and that you must carry it on your person at all times while in the forest.

“Knowing off by heart and strictly following the basic rules of firearms safety is the key to staying safe this 2013 deer rut.”

HUNTER EDUCATION OUTREACH 

Game Council NSW has launched a major hunter education initiative, OutREACH, which will enable all interested Approved Hunting Organisations to provide hunter education with Game Council products, including firearms and safety (long arms course), hunting workshops and short courses.

Click here for Outreach launch video
Click here to read more about the program.