Hunting and conservation go hand in hand

I can’t ever recall saying to my wife, “I’m off for a round of conservation this afternoon.” Come to think of it, I’ve never used that term as an excuse to go hunting. Realistically, though, by targeting invasive feral species, hunting is an indirect form of conservation with direct and positive effects on the local environment.

When I was asked to piece something together on conservation, I’d originally misspelt the word as conversation while typing the opening lines of my story. That little typo sparked an idea – one that meant far more than a play on words. As often seems the case these days, hunters are unfairly portrayed as an archaic breed that need re-education, with memories of such activity best left to the magazine rack or DVD shelf. Although I live in a very conservative electorate (both state and federal), complacency can be our biggest threat. I often remind my mates that we are always just one election away from losing our privilege, and it’s up to us and the younger generation to promote our recreation responsibly and lawfully.

The mere insinuation that every hunter is a gunman with a bloodlust for killing animals deeply offends me. After recent events, I couldn’t help but feel that the media were keen to portray us that way. Despite limited conversation around conservation in hunting, we’ve always conducted our hunts with practical benefits for local flora and endangered fauna. Many smaller species of native mammals and reptiles are threatened by introduced feral animals. Although we didn’t bring them here, it’s up to us as a collective group to control them – and at the same time enjoy fellowship with others out bush.

For over 30 years, I’ve hunted many species that threaten both farmers’ crops and native flora. Goats, deer and pigs are typically ‘browsing animals,’ with the feral swine, in my opinion, taking the prize for being the greediest guts of the lot. A ground-ravaging beast compared to the other two herbivores, a pig’s omnivorous appetite and bulldozer-like schnoz sees them ripping up crops, native grasslands and soft tree roots in search of grubs, eggs and grain. From the mangroves of the coastline to the dirt of our channel country and scattered forests in between, the feral pig is by far the most endemic. Not even rugged terrain, like New Zealand’s Southern Alps, deters these critters! Their resilience seems limitless, and their breeding rates keep hunters busy.

Recently, I sprang three feral pigs, and after a quick stalk over a rise, the mob grew to around 30. As they strolled to within 20m, I wished I’d had more ammunition than just a 5-shot magazine, recalling recent government decisions to handicap our limitations even further. While enthusiasm remains, hunting these animals should be vigorously encouraged to benefit both farmers and the environment. Over the years, with help from my family, we’ve removed hundreds of feral pigs across the country, including big trophy boars weighing over 100kg. If you multiply our efforts by all the other hunters in Australia, results are impressive.

Crossbred wild dogs also frequent my regular Queensland hunting grounds, using creek banks for undetected movement between neighbouring properties while seeking the younger and weaker cattle. Rarely seen, their blood-curdling howls are often heard first from the darker pockets of creek bends – but not always from where you think. Impressed by their skill in evasion, I’ve been foiled many times by homing in on a howl, only to find a maze of empty lairs and fresh sign. Unfortunately, healthy creeks are also home to more vulnerable native species. Being opportunistic predators, wild dogs harass koalas given the chance.

A direct conservation effort basically fell in my lap a few years ago while hunting along the creek, when we came across a battered and exhausted adult koala. Earlier, we’d missed shooting a black wild dog that fled from the same area, but it wasn’t until we’d left that we discovered the koala. Showing signs of a recent fight, likely with the wild dog, I hoped its challenger had gotten as good as it had given. Knowing that koalas can be aggressive, I used a pair of leather gloves to place our little friend in the ute. A fan of Toyotas, it rested peacefully on the floor as we drove it to the local vet.

The following week, I brought fresh leaves while the vets administered care and helped return her to good health. When it came time to release her, she surprisingly didn’t want to leave my arms. It was clear we’d formed a bond, and after some tears, reality prevailed. We placed her in the trees where she belonged and said our goodbyes. Later, a farmer friend asked me to locate wild dogs that had killed a cow along the same creek. At sunrise the following morning, I hunted quietly, located the wild dogs, and was lucky enough to shoot three of them.

Our wild canines are not alone in the watercourses. Feral cats, along with foxes, are notorious offenders for damaging local fauna. While wild dogs get some attention because of livestock losses, feral cats – mostly descended from pets – are now Australia’s number one threat to endangered species. I admire the feral cat’s bush adaptability and methodical, stealthy ability. Although generally sticking to birds, reptiles and small mammals, koalas are also targeted.

While living on the family farm, a healthy population of koalas took refuge along the creek from the Bunya Mountains down to fertile cropping country. The gumtrees provided safety from most ground predators. Unfortunately, feral cats are skilled climbers and posed a real threat. We noticed a rise in feral cats coincided with a decline in koala sightings. A much-needed cull was in order. Over a few weeks, with my family’s help, we accounted for many feral cats, foxes, rabbits and hares using my Remington .22-250 and my wife Sue-Ann’s Ruger .223. The farm’s 1000 acres of mostly cropping country offered ample opportunity for safe shooting at various distances. Within months, we noticed a steady return of koalas, and our conservation efforts made a measurable difference.

Hunting and conservation go hand in hand, but attitudes need to change, particularly when local authorities hold contradictory positions. On one hand, they pay bounties for wild dog scalps and supply farmers with poison baits to protect livestock. On the other, they accept the presence of feral cats to control pigeons at local waste facilities. Likewise, some farmers welcome us to shoot as many pigs as we like but to leave feral cats alone because they help control mice. Most farmers aren’t interested in shooting after hours, often relying on recreational hunters to do it for them. It’s therefore up to us to help the wider community understand that the pastime we hold dear plays a significant role in conservation and should be promoted.