Aussie ‘emblems’ hunted and dumped on Mitchell Highway

Observing city hunters driving through town over the June Long Weekend with some in latest 4WD’s, carrying the best in camping gear, hunting dogs and wearing camouflage clothing heading towards the paddocks and hills surrounding farm/ grazing land, State Forests, and the small towns and villages dotted throughout the region.

Those that the ‘hunters’ passed by wondered whether these out of town hunters understood where to shoot, what to shoot, what not to shoot. And, whether they knew and respected the rules in place to protect native wildlife and grazier’s paddocks, and the ethical standards required when shooting or hunting in the bush.

Then again, the weekend hunters could have been heading to one of the many state forest areas throughout this region - with or without a Restricted Game Hunting Licence (R-Licence) and written permission issued by the DPI GLU?

Question is - how are hunters (both outsiders and local) managed in the bushlands surrounding small towns and villages. As can be seen with the photos on this page - how is this able to happen in the Cabonne region (and others)?

Hearing about the ‘hunt’ and ‘dump’ left on the corner of the Mitchell Highway and Eurimbla Road after that weekend - the Express took a drive. It was a disturbing sight to see so many dead kangaroos and wallabies left to rot with their bodies intact. Not even dog food was taken in this kill.

A slaughtered headless deer was amongst the kill - it’s head taken for a trophy - and at least some meat was taken.

But the WOMBAT lying with its throat cut amongst the slaughter? That was not fair game!

The beer cans lying around the killgave an indication of what kind of people would hunt in this way - and then dump for someone else to dispose of.

The Express is not prepared to offer any kind of excuse to whoever was involved in what could hardly be judged as safe, reliable and responsible hunting.

We have, however, referred this page and the site to the roads authority, Cabonne and Wellington/Dubbo Councils, the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the DPI.

Checking with the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia we quote the ethics and standards they expect from their members and hunters “A hunter needs to understand and follow the principles of ethical hunting. They should always display an appreciation and adherence to sustainable wildlife management practices and obey all specific game and hunting laws.” The SSAA’s Code of Conduct and the general ‘Rules of etiquette when hunting’ are good starting points to follow in regard to safe and ethical hunting.

Whilst the Express understands the need for the culling of large herds of kangaroos/wallabies (not forgetting feral pigs) growing in numbers affecting grazing lands and cropping - we hope that those practices are authorised with the land owners - and required licensing for the hunting of kangaroos, deer etc is obtained to and adhered to.

WOMBATS? Wombats are one of Australia’s least understood marsupials and humans are their greatest enemy. Not many people have seen a wombat in the wild. Destruction of their habitat, hunting, trapping, poisoning have all severely reduced the wombat populations.

IN NSW, Wombats are protected under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

It is an offence to harm a wombat unless a licence is obtained from the Department of Planning and Environment.