South Durras conservationist John Perkins believes the NSW Government is gambling with public safety by allowing the resumption of hunting in state forests.
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R-licensed recreational hunters will be able to enter state forests, including Mogo, Bolaro, Buckenbowra, Currowan, and Shallow Crossing to hunt feral animals after February 3, albeit under strict new guidelines.
“Users of the state forests, such as campers, bushwalkers, kayakers, beekeepers, neighbouring farmers and bird watchers are being regarded as expendable, and the failure of Liberal MP Andrew Constance to oppose it is negligence,” he said.
“If shooters are left to themselves, and the area where they are permitted to hunt continues to expand, eventually there will be a tragedy. People will have to look over their shoulders when they go anywhere near a shooting area. Tourism is our most important industry down here and it will be affected badly if there is an accident.”
Mr Perkins rejects the argument that the hunting will be conducted in remote areas.
“Forests like Mogo and Benandarah don’t fall into that category,” he said.
Mr Perkins believes that resentment expressed on the Shooters and Fishers Party Facebook page regarding the compulsory use of GPS systems by hunters is a bad sign.
“It’s saying that they don’t want to be tracked, they don’t want any supervision,” he said.
Both Mr Perkins and former National Parks Association executive officer Noel Plumb believe it is part of a campaign to introduce a US-style gun culture to Australia.
“There is a mentality coming from the US of hunting animals for fun, and it is making gains because of the lack of willpower of the two major political parties to resist the demand for relaxation of gun laws,” Mr Perkins said.
“Shooting on public lands is a stalking horse for the expansion of gun culture,” Mr Plumb said.
Mr Perkins is also concerned that shooters will not be able to discern between feral and native animals.
“During duck hunting season in Victoria, vulnerable species of ducks have been shot,” he said.
Mr Perkins says it is nothing personal against hunters.
“Most hunters are pretty decent-minded people, it is only a minority that put lives at risk,” he said.
However, he believes the danger posed by stray bullets should not be underestimated.
“I have owned guns and I know the care that is required to be taken by gun owners,” he said.
“I was glad to give them up.”
