Hunting policy’s perfect aim
A FORTNIGHT ago the Country Liberal Party released its hunting policy. This is a first in my memory for a major party in the NT to consider hunters high enough in the pecking order to warrant such comprehensive attention.
The big-ticket item was the announcement that the CLP would establish a new hunting reserve offering recreational waterfowlers more opportunity and, at the same time, making hunting safer by reducing crowding on our swamps.
This is the only step forward I have witnessed since the parliamentary motion put up by Kezia Purick, and unanimously supported by every MLA, nearly 12 months ago.
In that time, the CLP has been regularly consulting with NTFGA on possible sites.
The policy is more farreaching than that, with credible advances in data gathering. Lia Finocchiaro announced the bag limit would remain at seven geese until 2023.
By fixing the bag limit for periods of at least five years the harvest can be compared to the variables of rainfall, climate and breeding. This approach is supported by one of the most eminent wildlife managers in the world, our own Professor Grahame Webb. Prof Webb has over 40 years of experience in the Top End environment, much of it waist-deep in swamps. The Country Liberals will also review the Magpie Goose Management Program and reintroduce a dry season aerial survey to complement the current wet season count. This will create a better handle on harvest and nesting to determine the population.
The CLP announced earlier in the campaign a substantial program to combat invasive weeds like gamba grass on public Crown land — that is, our parks and hunting reserves. This will be the single greatest leap forward to assuring our skies are darkened by millions of geese, thriving in pristine wetlands.
The NT Field and Game Festival of Clays continues on Sunday with two more shotguns up for grabs. Cash and thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes and trophies make this the most anticipated clay target event of the year. Shooting starts at the Mickett Creek Shooting Complex range at 8am. All members welcome.