Kangaroo culling in the limelight again

There is a column in the Herald Sun today about the commercial possibilities of safari hunting in Victoria. Recently the Federal Government released a report recommending that areas of Australia be opened up to commercial hunting of feral pests and overabundant animals - kangaroos, wild pigs, deer, horses, buffalo and camel.

The Sun suitably sensationalises the article with the headline "National Emblem could be in the cross-hairs" and illustrates it with words like 'slaughter' and pictures of roos and horses with gunsights squarely on their heads. At least they got that part right. Head shots for large herbivores, chest shots for pigs. That's the humane and correct way to kill them.

No doubt there will be outrage and much gnashing of teeth in organizations such as PETA over this latest example of Aussie cruelty, barbarity and delight in killing defenceless animals. PETA have managed to pressure Abercrombie, an importer of Australian wool products, into cancelling the garment lines in their stores due to the 'barbarity' of our treatment of sheep in Victoria.

I don't want to get into a diatribe over PETA. I find them inexplicable. Their heads are so far up their proverbials they will not listen to a reasonable argument if it rears up and bites them. For example, they abhor the killing of feral cats. Now feral cats are a real pest in urban and rural Australia. They slaughter innocent native insectivores and birds by the thousands. They have been responsible for wiping out species in certain areas. The way they kill their prey is certainly not humane. However, PETA believe they shouldn't be killed. It's cruel. Poor little pussies.

Anyway, back to kangaroo culling, which is a very very sensitive issue. It's not as simple as some may think. There is a national code which outlines how you may kill a roo, and how you may not. In summary, you can't just go into a paddock and shoot the first one you see. Firstly, you need a hunting licence, and the owner's written permission if on private land.
Secondly, it has to be done during the night, for the reason that during the daytime kangaroos are hopping and bounding around the landscape, and they move pdq. At night, they can be frozen in the spotlights and safely shot, wth the least risk of hurting the animal.
Third, you also have to be careful what kind of kangaroo you hunt. It's not acceptable to kill mothers with young, or young roos. And if you kill only the big males, you run the risk of damaging the gene pool. You have to spread your choices. This requires experience of the animal.
Fourthly, you have to shoot them in the head. The abbatoirs will not accept a kangaroo for slaughter that has been killed anywhere below the head, not even a neck shot. A kangaroo's head is a small target, but one which carries the highest possibility of instant death.

I have to say that I've never shot a kangaroo, mainly for the reasons above - it's not simple, and I don't feel experienced enough and haven't been taught how to yet, plus I don't have the right vehicle for night shooting. On the farms where we shoot, kangaroos are a real problem, but until I feel I can humanely and safely despatch exactly the right one, I'm not going to do it.

Game shooting laws are for the consideration of game animals as much as for the regulation of the industry. I agree with some of the Herald article, which expresses concern that opening up parts of Australia to safari hunting will attract trophy hunters with casual attitudes to our animal protection laws, such as the kind of hunter who thinks it's acceptable to take a snipe at a samba from 400 metres away, injuring the animal which then disappears into thick scrub so it can't be finished off.

On second thoughts, the word 'hunter' is incorrect in this case.

That is a matter for the regulatory authorities who issue licenses to commercial game hunting companies. There are several who operate already, mainly in Northern Australia, and they are mindful of their reputations and their livelihoods, and do not encourage reckless or indiscrimate shooting on the part of their clients. Our animal protection laws may even discourage some hunters from making the trip here, as well as trophy fees which can be considerable.

I don't feel I have to weep tears of remorse every time I shoot an animal. I shoot pests for population control. I also happen to enjoy the skill involved. It's a cheaper, more reliable method of pest control than baiting, chemical contraception, or other methods which arise from time to time and prove either ineffective or too costly. Calici virus wiped out entire local populations of rabbits about ten years ago, but they're back and breeding fast.

None of this matters to people like PETA. Facts, as journalism knows well, should never get in the way of a good story. You ask these organisations what their solution to pest control is, and they don't have one. Solutions are not what they are about. Solutions are for governments and other bodies who are faced with a problem.

Comments

[Stan]

Great post. I learned a few things that I certainly would not have had I only read newspaper reports. Nice one

[The Real JeffS]

You have much the same approach to hunting "Down Under" as we do in the United States! Only we don't have roos -- elk, moose, deer, goats, sheep, bear, cougar, etc.

Hunting licenses generally require a hunters' training course (usually provided by the State, or the National Rifle Association). Hunting licenses are usually controlled. In some cases, it's by lottery for a small number. One friend of mine in Wyoming was lucky enough to draw one tag (out of four for the area) for a ramhorn sheep. And made his kill on the first day, as well, lucky him.

The same concerns exist with the animals as well; restrictions are placed on sex, age, etc. The hunter has to clearly identify the target, and is subject to fines for the wrong kill.

Unfortunately, the system is not perfect. Poaching is a real problem, even in "no hunt" areas (e.g., national parks). Or trophy poaching, where a kill is left undressed, and only the horns are taken. Very wasteful. But there's a lot of territory to patrol.

PETA would love to make in roads on hunting; they've tried, but pretty much lost. They used to wander around hunting areas in red vests, scaring the game and pestering the hunters. That stopped pretty quickly, because of safety issues. Even the best hunter will make a mistake, especially if some idiot pops up at the last second. Now they try to mess with hunting laws and hunting restrictions.

I hope Australia can deal with this; controlled hunting benefits the ecology. I've seen what happens when there are too many animals for the local ecosystem to support. Starvation is not pleasant for any species.