Media Release

26 October 2009

Blood Sport in national parks -
the true face of conservation hunting

“A deal between the NSW Government and the Shooters Party on the Game and Feral Animal Control Amendment Bill would see more hunters and their dogs using national parks for their distasteful blood sport,” said Keith Muir director of the Colong Foundation for Wilderness.

“The Government should reject the Shooters Party’s bullying and uphold their election promise not to allow hunting in national parks.  The Government should support our national park rangers who continue do an excellent job on pest management despite the problems caused by hunters,” he said. 

“Rangers have virtually eradicated feral pigs from the new 80000 hectare Yanga National Park near Balranald in the Western NSW.  Similar results have been achieved by parks staff in many other national parks throughout the state,’ Mr Muir said. 

“Unfortunately recreational pig and deer hunters operate illegally in many of the tablelands parks inland from coastal areas, seeding national parks with feral animals.  Seeding parks with exotic feral animals for the benefit of hunters will also occur time and time again if the Shooters Party new laws allowing private game parks are ever introduced in NSW,” said Mr Muir. 

“One example of blood sport was discovered on Sunday October 18^th, when hunters and their dogs were found unlawfully operating in the Tallaganda National Park near Braidwood. 

“Unrestrained pig dogs, wearing chest protectors and standing on the bonnet of a 4WD vehicle, were seen poised ready to strike as the vehicle moved along Mulloon fire road through the park. 

“This irresponsible and highly dangerous behaviour is counterproductive to established feral animal control programs.  These hunters usually only kill the odd pig but disperse many more back into the park.  Traps set to capture large numbers of feral pigs are then vandalised or left empty. This is the true face of ‘conservation hunting’. 

 “Blood sport with guns, dogs, or bows and arrows must never be allowed in our national parks and the NSW Government must not further weaken hunting laws”, he said.

For more information contact: Keith Muir, (02) 9261 2400 (wk) or 0412 791 404 (mob)

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