Antarcher
18-09-07, 07:22 PM
Below is a couple of media releases from the Game Council in regards to cracking down on illegal hunting and the associated issues.
MEDIA RELEASE
Embargo 18 September 2007
New ‘Bush Alert’ program targets illegal hunters
A new crime reporting initiative to address illegal hunting is being officially launched today in
the Central West by Game Council NSW.
Bush Alert – a community-based reporting system -is specifically aimed at reducing illegal
hunting on declared public land areas and adjoining private properties.
“Game Council NSW – which manages licensing and accreditation for conservation hunting – is
committed to using responsible and accountable hunters in reducing feral animal populations
on declared State forests.
“The Bush Alert program aims to strongly discourage the tradition of illegal hunting by a
minority of people who choose to operate outside the law,’’ Game Council CEO Brian Boyle
said.
“The program, which has been developed in conjunction with the NSW Police Force and
Forests NSW, encourages country people to provide specific intelligence to police of offences
such as spotlighting on public land and trespassing.’’
Bush Alert will initially target illegal hunting at Mullions Range and Canobolas State forests
near Orange, and surrounding private properties. It may eventually be rolled out Statewide.
The program includes warning signs for farm gates and forest entry points, reporting cards for
forest users such as licensed conservation hunters, and stickers with relevant details for
contacting police, Crime Stoppers and Game Council NSW.
“The stickers and reporting cards will make it easier for country people to provide the specific
‘who, what and where’ information that police require to arrest and prosecute illegal hunters,’’
Mr Boyle said.
Since the introduction of Game Council NSW, additional heavy penalties and fines of up to
$5500 now apply for offences including trespassing and hunting without a game licence.
To date, licensed hunters have removed more than 7200 feral animals from our State forests
since conservation hunting commenced.
“Game Council opposes illegal hunting and, along with the broader community, wants to stop
these activities in NSW. Rural residents’ cooperation and participation in this program can
greatly assist in reducing illegal hunting in their area,” Mr Boyle said.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Nicole Tremain (02) 6360 5103 / 0429 991 824 or David Dixon (02) 6360 5101.
1 of 1 www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au
GAME COUNCIL NSW
MEDIA FACT SHEET: Bush Alert program
18 September 2007
• The Bush Alert program was first discussed with Mullion Creek residents
(near Orange) in early 2006 to address their concerns about conservation
hunting in Mullions Range State forest.
• There had been illegal hunting in the forest and on adjoining private
properties for many years before it was declared for conservation hunting
on 13 March 2006 under the Game and Feral Animal Control Act.
• The Bush Alert program aims to address illegal hunting and is based on
similar models in other States.
• It was developed in conjunction with the NSW police force and Forests
NSW, and will be rolled out at Mullions Range and Canobolas State
forests in the Central West on 18 September 2007. If successful, the
program may be rolled out State-wide.
• Game Council NSW developed Bush Alert in conjunction with the NSW
Police Force and Forests NSW to tackle illegal hunting and associated
offences.
• There will be a letter drop to about 65 landholders adjoining these State
forests explaining the program and offering FREE private property signs
for their farm gates.
• Bush Alert encourages licensed hunters, other forest users and
landowners to record and report specific details of suspected illegal
hunting activities.
• The program includes forest signage promoting Bush Alert, stickers,
reporting cards and advertisements/media releases in the local media.
• Through the Bush Alert program, Game Council wants to send a clear
message: hunters who choose to operate outside the law are criminals.
• They tarnish the reputation of the majority of people who abide by the law
and are making a real contribution to feral animal control through
conservation hunting.
Conservation hunting
www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au
GAME COUNCIL NSW
• Game Council NSW is a statutory authority of the NSW Government that
issues game hunting licences and manages conservation hunting on
declared public land.
• There are currently 180 State forests and two Crown Land areas declared
for conservation hunting under the Game and Feral Animal Control Act.
• To date, licensed and accredited hunters have removed more than 7200
feral animals such as pigs, goats, foxes and rabbits from State forests
since the scheme commenced in March 2006.
• For example, at Pennsylvania State forest near Blayney, close to 900 feral
animals have been taken by licensed conservation hunters. This includes
almost 500 goats.
Requirements for hunting on declared State forests
• A NSW Game Hunting Licence plus written permission is required by law
by those wishing to participate in conservation hunting on 180 State
forests in NSW. Full list of forests is located at
www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au
• Canoblas and Mullions Range State forests, near Orange, were ‘declared’
for conservation hunting under the Act in March 2006.
• All conservation hunters must wear an article of blaze orange clothing
while participating in feral animal control on these areas.
Penalties for non-compliance
• Hunters are firmly reminded they face fines of up to $5500 PLUS
confiscation of hunting equipment and loss of licence if they hunt on State
forests without authorisation, or if they trespass on to adjoining private
property.
• The creation of Game Council NSW under the Act introduces more
legislation and additional powers for NSW Police to help prevent illegal
hunting.
GAME COUNCIL NSW MEDIA CONTACTS: Nicole Tremain – Public Relations Manager, ph (02) 6360
5103 or 0429 991 824 or David Dixon – Public Relations Officer, ph (02) 6360 5101.
www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au
MEDIA RELEASE
Embargo 18 September 2007
New ‘Bush Alert’ program targets illegal hunters
A new crime reporting initiative to address illegal hunting is being officially launched today in
the Central West by Game Council NSW.
Bush Alert – a community-based reporting system -is specifically aimed at reducing illegal
hunting on declared public land areas and adjoining private properties.
“Game Council NSW – which manages licensing and accreditation for conservation hunting – is
committed to using responsible and accountable hunters in reducing feral animal populations
on declared State forests.
“The Bush Alert program aims to strongly discourage the tradition of illegal hunting by a
minority of people who choose to operate outside the law,’’ Game Council CEO Brian Boyle
said.
“The program, which has been developed in conjunction with the NSW Police Force and
Forests NSW, encourages country people to provide specific intelligence to police of offences
such as spotlighting on public land and trespassing.’’
Bush Alert will initially target illegal hunting at Mullions Range and Canobolas State forests
near Orange, and surrounding private properties. It may eventually be rolled out Statewide.
The program includes warning signs for farm gates and forest entry points, reporting cards for
forest users such as licensed conservation hunters, and stickers with relevant details for
contacting police, Crime Stoppers and Game Council NSW.
“The stickers and reporting cards will make it easier for country people to provide the specific
‘who, what and where’ information that police require to arrest and prosecute illegal hunters,’’
Mr Boyle said.
Since the introduction of Game Council NSW, additional heavy penalties and fines of up to
$5500 now apply for offences including trespassing and hunting without a game licence.
To date, licensed hunters have removed more than 7200 feral animals from our State forests
since conservation hunting commenced.
“Game Council opposes illegal hunting and, along with the broader community, wants to stop
these activities in NSW. Rural residents’ cooperation and participation in this program can
greatly assist in reducing illegal hunting in their area,” Mr Boyle said.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Nicole Tremain (02) 6360 5103 / 0429 991 824 or David Dixon (02) 6360 5101.
1 of 1 www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au
GAME COUNCIL NSW
MEDIA FACT SHEET: Bush Alert program
18 September 2007
• The Bush Alert program was first discussed with Mullion Creek residents
(near Orange) in early 2006 to address their concerns about conservation
hunting in Mullions Range State forest.
• There had been illegal hunting in the forest and on adjoining private
properties for many years before it was declared for conservation hunting
on 13 March 2006 under the Game and Feral Animal Control Act.
• The Bush Alert program aims to address illegal hunting and is based on
similar models in other States.
• It was developed in conjunction with the NSW police force and Forests
NSW, and will be rolled out at Mullions Range and Canobolas State
forests in the Central West on 18 September 2007. If successful, the
program may be rolled out State-wide.
• Game Council NSW developed Bush Alert in conjunction with the NSW
Police Force and Forests NSW to tackle illegal hunting and associated
offences.
• There will be a letter drop to about 65 landholders adjoining these State
forests explaining the program and offering FREE private property signs
for their farm gates.
• Bush Alert encourages licensed hunters, other forest users and
landowners to record and report specific details of suspected illegal
hunting activities.
• The program includes forest signage promoting Bush Alert, stickers,
reporting cards and advertisements/media releases in the local media.
• Through the Bush Alert program, Game Council wants to send a clear
message: hunters who choose to operate outside the law are criminals.
• They tarnish the reputation of the majority of people who abide by the law
and are making a real contribution to feral animal control through
conservation hunting.
Conservation hunting
www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au
GAME COUNCIL NSW
• Game Council NSW is a statutory authority of the NSW Government that
issues game hunting licences and manages conservation hunting on
declared public land.
• There are currently 180 State forests and two Crown Land areas declared
for conservation hunting under the Game and Feral Animal Control Act.
• To date, licensed and accredited hunters have removed more than 7200
feral animals such as pigs, goats, foxes and rabbits from State forests
since the scheme commenced in March 2006.
• For example, at Pennsylvania State forest near Blayney, close to 900 feral
animals have been taken by licensed conservation hunters. This includes
almost 500 goats.
Requirements for hunting on declared State forests
• A NSW Game Hunting Licence plus written permission is required by law
by those wishing to participate in conservation hunting on 180 State
forests in NSW. Full list of forests is located at
www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au
• Canoblas and Mullions Range State forests, near Orange, were ‘declared’
for conservation hunting under the Act in March 2006.
• All conservation hunters must wear an article of blaze orange clothing
while participating in feral animal control on these areas.
Penalties for non-compliance
• Hunters are firmly reminded they face fines of up to $5500 PLUS
confiscation of hunting equipment and loss of licence if they hunt on State
forests without authorisation, or if they trespass on to adjoining private
property.
• The creation of Game Council NSW under the Act introduces more
legislation and additional powers for NSW Police to help prevent illegal
hunting.
GAME COUNCIL NSW MEDIA CONTACTS: Nicole Tremain – Public Relations Manager, ph (02) 6360
5103 or 0429 991 824 or David Dixon – Public Relations Officer, ph (02) 6360 5101.
www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au