New South Wales’ Premier Barry O’Farrell announced on Wednesday, that 79 national parks and reserves will be opened to recreational hunters. This has raised the ire of hikers all over the state.
Geoff Mallinson, a hiking blogger from the NSW Central Coast, has teamed up with Matt from Wild Walks, and the National Parks Association of NSW, to start a campaign against the plan. They have created a website about the issue, and are asking residents of NSW to write to their local ministers.
I won’t say too much about the issue here, since the reasons to object are well outlined on the campaign website. Head over there now to read about it, and use the form and draft letter to send your objection. You might also like to check out the lively discussion that is currently happening on the Bushwalk Australia forum.
UPDATE: A page to assist people from other states in voicing their objections has now been added to the website.
Any comments are welcome (below) but this really isn’t the place for debate. Instead, make sure you check out the links above.
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Dear Neil Fahey
I was liking this web site/facebook page until i come across this anti hunting issue you have here so i will now remove myself from your uneducated blind mind!!!!!! BYE
Hi Leon,
Not sure if you’ll ever see this since you’ve ‘removed yourself from my uneducated blind mind’ but if you do, please feel free to come back and be a bit more thorough in your argument. You’re entitled to voice your opinions here, and I’m very open to calm and reasonable discussion… Or to agreeing to disagree.
All the best,
Neil
How about allowing hunting, but no firearms or other weapons. Cane Toads, no limit.
I can help…. There have been over 30 hunting related deaths throughout Europe, nth Americas, NZ and Australia in the last 10yrs. Research into pest animals over the last 30yrs has consistently illustrated that Recreational/opportunistic hunting spreads pest population, it in no way been illustrated as a successful control method. The model administered by the game council in state forests is far from successful in controlling feral animals… The animals have just moved away… I should know I own land next to state forest.
Thanks for the info!
Cheers
Neil
I realize you don’t want to start a debate here but I am just interested as to your reasons for not wanting to allow hunting in National parks being the game council state forest scheme has been such a success.
Hi Patrick,
My reasons are no different to the reasons outlined on the campaign website, here – http://nohunting.wildwalks.com/faq
Cheers
Neil
Citations?