game tracks 2013

ISSUE 18 - 2013

Game Tracks

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Wildlife Management Branch

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About Game TracksPublished by

Wildlife Management BranchDepartment of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001(03) 6336 5196 (phone)(03) 6336 5311 (fax)

Advertising and Production

Stevens Publishing Pty LtdPO Box 7504Launceston 7250Phone: 0418129949

Publication and Distribution

Game Tracks is an annual publication with a print run of 13,000, which is provided free of charge to Tasmanian game licence holders, rural landowners and a number of other individuals and organisations.If you are not on the current interstate or international mailing list and wish to be added or if you have changed address, please notify the Wildlife Management Branch at the address or contact numbers listed above or email details to [email protected]. Extra copies are available from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment in Hobart or Launceston or Service Tasmania.

Purpose of Game Tracks

• To keep landowners, hunters and other stakeholders informed on issues relating to wildlife management and control in Tasmania.• To promote and facilitate ethical, responsible and humane hunting and harvesting practices that are consistent with State and Federal wildlife management and conservation programs.

Disclaimer

The material and information contained in Game Tracks is intended as a guide only. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of such material and information

at the time of printing, the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) does not guarantee this publication is without error. The Crown in right of the State of Tasmania disclaims any liability for any loss or damage which may arise from any reliance upon any material or information contained in this publication.Products advertised in Game Tracks are not necessarily endorsed by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment or any other agency of the Crown. Readers rely upon material and information contained in such advertisements at their own risk.

Further Details Available

For further details on material contained in Game Tracks contact the relevant office of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Copies of State legislation which relate to the hunting of wildlife may be obtained from the Printing Authority of Tasmania, 123 Collins Street, Hobart, 7001, or telephone (03) 6233 3289.

Editorial policy

The Wildlife Management Branch does not solicit contributions to Game Tracks. However, DPIPWE, in its absolute discretion, may accept or reject any contribution. All contributions must be consistent with the stated purposes of this publication. Information and ideas expressed in contributed articles are not necessarily endorsed by DPIPWE.

Slides, Photographs or Other Artwork

DPIPWE is always looking for quality photographs, slides or other artwork to use in this and other publications. If you have any of these items you are willing for us to use, please contact the Wildlife Management Branch. All contributions will be suitably acknowledged.

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Message from the Minister

I welcome you to the 2013 issue of Game Tracks.The State Government recognises recreational hunting and harvesting of wildlife as legitimate activities and will continue to manage the 2013 game seasons to ensure they are sustainable and humane.Quail hunters should note the arrangements for the 2013 brown quail season. This includes a continuation of the season in the south of Tasmania as well as changes to the timing of the season. These arrangements were made after taking into account information on the quail population as well as the views of hunters. I understand that quail hunters played an important role in this process by providing detailed information on their sightings and take of quail. This important data enabled the sustainability of quail hunting to be assessed. Partnerships of this type are crucial to efforts to ensure sustainable hunting. I look forward to hunters continuing to assist my department in managing Tasmania’s wildlife.The Tasmanian Government recognises the community interest in protecting the welfare of hunted animals. For this reason, I am greatly encouraged to see deer hunters, through the Tasmanian Deer Advisory Committee, take a proactive approach in relation to ensuring the welfare of the deer they hunt. The Code of Practice for the Hunting of Wild Fallow Deer in Tasmania is designed to accommodate the special circumstances and

environment that impact on deer hunting in Tasmania. It aims to support fallow deer hunting and has been designed to guide deer hunting practices in Tasmania to ensure that hunted deer are killed humanely.The Browsing Animal Management Program, initiated in July 2011, continues to assist the farming community to manage the impact of browsing wildlife on crops and pastures, and recognises the importance of Tasmania’s skilled hunters in achieving these productivity gains. The program will continue to have a high profile at agricultural shows and farmer-focussed workshops with staff working one-on-one with landholders to develop effective integrated management strategies.Another recent initiative has been to bring crop protection permits for brushtail possum and wallaby into line. Until now, unlike wallaby permits, possum permits have been only for three months. With both now running concurrently for 12 month periods, it is hoped that the process will be simplified for landholders and hunters. It is also hoped that it will improve the quality of take return information.I am also pleased to note that Tasmania’s Cat Management Act 2009 came into effect in July 2012 and is being administered by the new Invasive Species Branch. The Act promotes responsible pet ownership through microchipping and desexing of cats, and provides a legal right for the control of cats in certain areas, including rural and remote areas. Land owners, hunters and government and community organisations can all play a role in reducing the impacts feral and stray cats have on our natural environment and agricultural industries. Working together will achieve better results.I hope you enjoy this issue of Game Tracks and I look forward to continuing to build strong partnerships with your organisations over the coming 12 months.

Brian WightmanMinister for Environment, Parks and Heritage

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Contents

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About Game Tracks

Message from the Minister .............................................. 4

Contents ...................................................................................... 5

Hunting Season Schedule ................................................. 6

News and Views

WMB News ............................................................................. 10

TDAC Report ......................................................................... 15

TFGA Report .......................................................................... 17

Updates

Managing Browsing Wildlife ............................................. 19

Game Species Update

Fallow Deer ...................................................................... 22

Wallaby ................................................................................ 24

Wild Duck ......................................................................... 25

Short-tailed Shearwaters .......................................... 28

Pheasants ............................................................................ 32

Brown Quail ..................................................................... 32

Information

Ranger News ........................................................................... 37

Get Convicted, lose five years ............................... 37

Importance of Reporting Incidents ..................... 37

Staffing Updates ............................................................. 37

Possession of Ammunition ....................................... 38

Microchipping Exemptions ....................................... 38

Taking and Trading in Wildlife and Wildlife

Products .............................................................................. 38

Recreational Hunters Selling Antlers .................. 39

Offender File ............................................................................ 41

Features

Invasive Species Branch Update ................................... 43

Wildlife Management in a National Park ................. 44

Quality Scoring Fallow Deer .......................................... 47

Game Recipes ......................................................................... 49

Contact List .............................................................................. 50

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Hunting Season Schedule 2013

ROCKJAW TOURSFlinders Island

Hunting and Fishing ToursChris (Rockjaw) Rhodes

Mobile: 0427 596 506Phone/Fax : (03) 6359 6506

email: [email protected]: www.rockjawtours.com.au

Adult Male Deer

2 March – 31 March 2013

Antlerless Deer

16 March – 31 March 201311 May – 30 June 2013

Duck

9 March - 10 June 2013

Muttonbird

Non-Commercial30 March – 14 April 2013Commercial27 March – 30 April 2013

Wallaby

25 February 2013 - 23 February 2014

Brown Quail

18 May – 30 June 2013

Ringneck Pheasant

8 June - 9 June 2013NOTE: Proposed Season Dates are available from the DPIPWE website as early as August. These dates are then finalised in November after Minister approval.

Fallow Deer

Licence fee: $64.80Bag Limit: One adult male deer and one antlerless deer OR two antlerless deer.Spikies may not be taken.

Regulation Snapshot:

• Only to be taken with a firearm. Minimum legal firearm calibre of not less than 6 mm and which is capable of delivering a projectile having kinetic energy of 1350 joules at a distance of 100 metres from the rifle. Suggested a calibre .243 or greater be used.• Dogs and spotlights are not permitted for taking deer.• The head of a deer must not be removed or the body severed, unless the hunter labels all the parts with their name, address, deer licence number and tag number.• All deer taken must be immediately tagged by the hunter using the tag issued to that hunter. Refer to photo series demonstrating affixing a tag.• Adult male deer - fix and lock the tag to the antler between the brow tine and the trez tine.• Antlerless deer - fix and lock the tag through the lower jaw.

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Wild Duck - Includes King and Flinders Islands

Licence fee: $28.80Bag Limit: 10 ducks per day.Legal Species:Only Black duck, Grey teal, Chestnut teal, Mountain duck and Wood duck may be taken. Other species may be encountered in Tasmania but may not be taken. These include Blue-winged shoveler, Hardhead (or White-eyed) duck, Musk duck, Freckled duck, Pink-eared duck, Blue-billed duck and Plumed tree duck.


• Decoys, including feathered decoys, are permitted but the use of any bait, live birds, tape recorders or other electronic devices is prohibited.• The use of boats propelled by an engine is prohibited for taking ducks.• Aircraft are prohibited for rousing ducks.• Shooting duck between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise is prohibited.• Ducks may only be taken with shotguns not exceeding 12 gauge.• Hunters must retain either the head or the wings on a harvested duck until the hunter has arrived at his normal place of residence, shack or camp.• Hunters must produce their Waterfowl Identification Test (WIT) Certificate the first time they wish to obtain a licence. Thereafter, verification will occur via the game licence database. Applicants born in or before 1935 are exempt from this test.

Short-tailed Shearwater (Muttonbird)

Licence fee: $28.80 (non-commercial)Bag limit: 25 per day for colonies in King Island Group, Hunter Group and Furneaux Group. A limit of 15 per day applies on Tasmanian mainland colonies.A ‘Non-commercial (Recreational) Muttonbird Season 2013 – Open Colonies’ schedule is

available by phoning the Wildlife Management Branch on (03) 6233 6556.


• Night-birding is prohibited (“night” is between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.• Pointed, sharpened, barbed or hook shaped or sharpened implements are prohibited.• Dogs may not be used.• Interfering with burrows during the closed season or without a licence during the open season is prohibited.• Licences are issued to one person only. The taking of muttonbirds under another person’s licence (including family member) is illegal.• Chicks are to be killed quickly and humanely in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 1993.

Bennett’s and rufous (Tasmanian Pademelon) Wallabies

Includes King and Flinders IslandsNon-commercial Licence Fee: $28.80 (Fee applicable until 30 June 2013).Commercial Licence Fee: $57.60 (Fee applicable until 30 June 2013).Bag Limit: none for either wallaby species.Only a Commercial Licence authorises the sale of wallaby products.


• The use of snares and steel-jawed traps is prohibited.• The use of spotlights and shooting from a vehicle is prohibited.• Landowners can obtain crop protection permits that allow shooting from a vehicle with the aid of a spotlight.• Landowners may issue copies of the permit to licensed hunters to assist in the control of wallaby.

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Brown Quail

Licence Fee: $28.80Bag Limit: 20 per day.Legal Species:Only Brown quail may be taken. Other species such as Stubble Quail and Painted Quail are wholly protected and may not be taken.


• Quail may only be taken with shotguns, not exceeding 12 gauge.

Ringneck Pheasant

Licence Fee: $14.40Bag Limit: Three male birds per day.To obtain a licence, hunters are encouraged to:• Become a member of the King Island Game Bird Association; and• Obtain from the Association a Hunter Authority Card giving permission to access land for hunting.


• The open season applies only to male birds on King Island.• Pheasants may only be taken with shotguns not exceeding 12 gauge.

General Regulations

There are a number of regulations applicable to all species. Some important ones are listed below.• Hunting at night is prohibited. Night means the period between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.• The use of baits, live decoys, traps, snares, spears, bows and arrows, explosives, poison, bird lime and chemical compounds is prohibited.• Solid jacketed military ammunition is prohibited.• Hunters must produce their Firearms Licence to obtain a hunting licence unless they are exempt under the Firearms Act 1996 and the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.The laws that govern hunting in Tasmania can be viewed at www.thelaw.tas.gov.au. Search for Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.

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Other Fees and Licence Costs

Export Permits

In the case of a permit that relates to living creatures $14.40, or for each creature, whichever is the greater : $2.90in any other case $14.40This fee is payable on the issue of a permit authorising the removal from the State of any form of partly protected, protected or special protected wildlife, or the products of any such wildlife specified in the permit.

Skin Dealers Licence

Licence fee: $72.00Royalties on skins - wallaby $0.20 each - possum $0.30 each

Introduced pest animals that may be hunted

Rabbits

Rabbits are classified as vermin under the Vermin Control Act 2000 and may be hunted at any time on Crown Land, State Forest and on private land with the permission of the landowner. There is no bag limit and rabbits are normally taken with shotguns and rimfire rifles, although any non-prohibited firearm may be used.

SSAA (Tas) Inc. Is Tasmania’s largest shooting organisation. It provides services direct to each individual member, but also has comprehensive club structure across the State. These clubs cater for target disciplines in pistol, rifle and shotgun, and some have access to hunting properties.

Arguably the best value-for-money membership benefits in Australia with access to ranges on scheduled days, monthly Australian Shooter magazine and extensive hunter insurance cover since 1997. Current policies are $20 million dollar public liability cover while on recreational hunting, fishing or conservation activities and personal accident insurance while recreational shooting or hunting. Insurance cover also includes archery. Cover excludes professional hunting.

SSAA Insurance Brokers also offer business/commercial and private insurance policies.

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The SecretaryRhonda CainsPh/Fax 03 6249 [email protected]

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Hares

Hares, while not classified as vermin, have no legal status and can be hunted under the same conditions that apply for rabbits.

Foxes

Foxes are classified as vermin under the Vermin Control Act 2000 and may be hunted at any time on Crown Land, State Forest and on private land with the permission of the landowner. The Invasive Species Branch would appreciate any information on foxes sighted or shot in Tasmania. The 24hr fox sightings hotline number is 1300 369 688. For fast information about how hunters and landowners can help the fox eradication effort in Tasmania, visit www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/fox and click on the “Information for Hunters” or the “Information for Landowners” icons.

Feral domestic animals

Some domestic animals such as pigs and goats have become feral and programs have been implemented to reduce these wild populations. Hunters and landowners can assist in these programs by reporting any sightings of feral pigs and goats to DPIPWE officers.


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Wildlife Management Branch News

Appointment of new Branch Manager

In July 2012, Will Joscelyne took over from Gary Davies as Manager Wildlife Management Branch. Will comes from the Department’s Marine Farming Branch, where he managed that branch through the successful planning for salmon industry expansion in Macquarie Harbour, while Gary has taken on responsibility for managing the Biodiversity Conservation Branch. Will has a diverse background including IT, financial information systems, industry development, public policy and resource management.

Retirement of Stewart Blackhall

Many of you will know Stewart who has worked in the area of wildlife management in Tasmania since the mid 1970’s, but principally in the area of wetlands and waterfowl management. He established the state-wide waterfowl surveys back in 1985 for the purpose of ensuring that duck hunting is sustainable. Based on the results of these surveys which are undertaken prior to the season, successive Tasmanian governments have accepted the sustainability of duck hunting. Stewart also undertook the ground work that ultimately culminated in the phase-out of lead shot for duck hunting in Tasmania in 2006. He also oversaw the introduction of Waterfowl Identification Testing of duck hunters in Tasmania. Most recently he has worked as part of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Team.We wish Stewart all the best in retirement.

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11


Review of Wildlife Operations Section (WOPS) - Compliance and Enforcement

The Wildlife Operations Section (WOPS) is the primary contact for all state-wide compliance and enforcement issues for the Wildlife Management Branch, Water Management Branch and the greater Resource Management and Conservation Division. Aiming to maximise compliance with the Nature Conservation Act 2002, Water Management Act 1999, Threatened Species Protection Act 1995, Whales Protection Act 1988, Animal Welfare Act 1993, and other supporting legislation. During 2012 a functional analysis and review of the current operational activities of the Wildlife Operations Section was carried out with a view to identify outputs and future direction of WOPS in the medium term (3 to 5 years).The current functions of WOPs include; • The provision of advice and information relating to compliance and enforcement, legislative provisions including permits and conditions, and wildlife management.• Compliance monitoring, advice, training and auditing of the aquaculture industry in relation to the management of marine mammals.• To undertake investigations into breaches of legislation administered by the Resource Management and Conservation (RMC) Division of the Agency.• To manage prosecutions resulting from the fore-mentioned investigations.• Compliance monitoring during the Open Seasons and unlawful take outside of these seasons.• To provide advice and compliance monitoring for permits issued by the WMB.• To provide Legal Procedures Authorised Officer training to the Parks and Wildlife Service and other Divisions.• To participate in marine mammal entanglement and rescue training.

• To conduct investigations into breaches of dam permit and other water related offences as referred by the Water Management Branch as well as to provide enforcement advice, mentoring and training to the Water Management Branch.• To participate and support where necessary in a range of partnership arrangements and Programs within the Branch, Division and externally.• To conduct audits of permits, licences and other regulatory components, including 1080 poison permits.

Game Tracks Review

A little background history

Game Tracks commenced as a bi-annual publication in 1997 and then moved to an annual publication in 1998. Since this time, the purpose of Game Tracks has not changed. It has remained focused on keeping landowners, hunters and other stakeholders informed on issues relating to wildlife management and control in Tasmania, and to promote and facilitate ethical, responsible and humane hunting and harvesting practices that are consistent with State and Commonwealth wildlife management and conservation programs.During late 2011 and 2012 a review of Game Tracks (GT) occurred. A questionnaire was provided to representatives on the Game Management Liaison Committee for distribution to members. In addition, hunters and landowners were randomly selected and contacted by the GMU, and also, any clients phoning the GMU were asked to participate.

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Wildlife Management Branch NewsIn total, there were 66 respondents of which 13.6% classified themselves as being solely landowners, 51.5% solely hunters, 28.8% classified themselves as being both and the remaining 6.1% put themselves into the ‘Other’ category, detailing themselves as being either a scientist, a researcher or Parks & Wildlife Officer.

This review was a worthwhile exercise. Thank you to those who participated and a very big thank you to those who prompted others to do the same. We value your feedback and as a result have made some changes to Game Tracks. The following summarises your feedback and our response:-

Area of enquiry Findings and subsequent actions

Familiarity with publication

(66 respondents)

The distribution of GT to hunters at the time of game licence purchase is ensuring a very good reach with hunters. To expand the reach to landowners, commencing in 2013, all wallaby crop protection permit holders will be sent a copy of GT.Over two-thirds of respondents read all of GT as soon as they receive their copy and 89% retained their copy.

Usefulness

(40 respondents)

96.4% of respondents agreed the content of GT was informative, specifically the game season and management of browsing wildlife updates, legislative information and enforcement content, the monitoring and management feedback, Departmental news and services detailed and the focused articles. In total, 98% of respondents found GT useful, with the majority of respondents not detailing any components as being least useful. It was noted by several respondents that the inclusion of recipes solidifies the relationship between hunting and food gathering. Also highlighted, was an appreciation by respondents of having access to information that may not be specifically relevant to them, but the exposure created awareness, interest and knowledge.

Media preferences

(54 respondents)

The likelihood of respondents accessing the web for wildlife management related information was moderate. Over 80% of respondents made regular use of the web/internet and email.

Recommended Changes

(54 respondents)

It was clear from the responses received that respondents did not want changes made to the overall structure or layout of GT other than the very practical suggestion of placing the contacts page in an easier place to find - done.Some fabulous ideas and suggestions were put forward surrounding future content so stay tuned. It is also worth noting that ideas and suggestions are welcome at any time, and so too is a commitment to contribute an article that adheres to the purpose of GT see page 3.

Landowner/Hunter Focus

(54 respondents)

The approach of targeting a publication toward landowners and hunters was seen as an advantage and a key strength of GT by a very high percentage of respondents. Overwhelmingly, this approach was seen as essential for facilitating understanding and fostering good relationships.

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Deer Farming Update

During what has been a busy 2012, the registration/re-registration process for deer farms has continued steadily. There are currently 108 deer farms having been either re-registered or in the case of new farms, newly registered, and granted with a ‘Notice to Operate’ certificate under the Wildlife (Deer Farming) Regulations 2010.A continuously declining number of ‘once upon a time’ registered farms are remaining and follow up visits to these farms will continue to take place by Game Management Officers during the remainder of 2013.Deer farm owners who have not yet had their farm inspected are encouraged to make contact with Matt Byrne, contact details on page 50. Throughout the recent process of re-registering and registering deer farms, a number of repeat questions have arisen from stakeholders. While it is important that deer farmers understand all the requirements detailed under the Wildlife (Deer Farming) Regulations 2010, the information below aims to clarify some of the more common questions relating to the legislation.The definition of a farmed deerFarmed deer are regarded as those farmed for both commercial (predominantly meat and antler products) and non-commercial (hobby farm) purposes. Basically, deer kept behind wire are farmed deer and registration is required. Whilst no longer classified as ‘stock’, farmed deer are now referred to as ‘animals of the species European Fallow Deer’.Anyone wishing to keep deer should contact DPIPWE via the Game Management Unit to obtain relevant advice, including the process for application. There are no fees involved.The requirements for receiptsBefore a deer farmer disposes of any farm deer or product (meat, antlers, skin etc) to any other person, the deer farmer must give the recipient of the above deer or product a receipt detailing:

• Date of disposal• The farm deer or product being disposed of• The deer farm from which it is being disposed.To assist deer farmers to keep these necessary records, receipts books are available from GMU Staff.It is important to note that the above requirements do not apply to any product of farm deer that is packaged for commercial sale or export. It is anticipated that record keeping would be occurring as with any business.Selling live deerWhen selling deer, deer farmers are not obligated under the legislation to verify if the potential buyer has a registered deer farm. However, it is in the best interests of all deer farmers to ensure their animals are being sold to another registered deer farmer if not for immediate slaughter (i.e. not intended for release into the wild). When selling deer, deer farmers are encouraged to ring a GMU Officer if they are unsure of the potential buyer having a registered deer farm. It is the intention of the GMU to forward correspondence to all registered deer farmers requesting permission to share basic information to assist in this regard as soon as all deer farm follow up visits have been finalised.

Maps and Game LicensesContact your local Forestry Tasmania office

Hobart Derwent District (03) 6235 8353 Geeveston Huon District (03) 6295 7111 Scottsdale Bass District (03) 6350 6466 Burnie Murchison District (03) 6433 2666

www.forestrytas.com.auPhone 1800 FOREST


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Escaped deerIn the event of an escape of farm deer into the wild, it is a requirement of the respective deer farmer to, as soon as possible after the event, both notify the department of the escape and take all reasonable steps to either recover or destroy the animals concerned.Any farm deer having neither been recovered, or destroyed, within 48 hours after the deer farmer has become aware of the escape, are forfeited to the crown. Upon such time, management of these animals falls directly in line with the permitting and licensing legislation associated with wild Fallow deer elsewhere in Tasmania.The above said, the department’s management strategy of wild Fallow deer in traditionally occurring areas of Tasmania (where deer are managed as a sustainable resource), is different to the management that occurs for wild Fallow deer considered to be located outside of this traditional range.

More specifically, the department takes a clear stance in recognising the origin of escaped or released deer, as well as the non traditional areas in which they may occur, and facilitates stakeholders with relevant permits in order to perform maximum control. The Game Management Unit has been performing this task for a number of years now, and it has resulted in some successful control program outcomes, especially in some areas on the urban fringes where established deer populations require a sustained and coordinated management regime.Landowners who have deer present on their property within the non-traditional deer area wishing to perform control, or those who have reason to believe that recently escaped deer reside on their property, are encouraged to contact an Officer from the Game Management Unit to discuss the matter further.


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Tasmanian Deer Advisory

Committee

‘Supporting quality deer management and property based game management.’

1 Shepherds Crt, Evandale Tas 7212Enquiries: 0437 918 600Email: [email protected]

Tasmanian Deer Advisory Committee Report The year 2011-2012 for the Tasmanian Deer Advisory Committee (TDAC) has been one of strong presence

in the state deer hunting scene.

TDAC has continued to have a presence at the Game

Management Liaison Committee (GMLC) meetings and welcomes

Will Joscelyne to the role as chairman. Thank you to Gary Davies the outgoing chairman.

Achievements

Throughout 2011-2012, the major issues facing TDAC and Tasmania’s wild deer population was the call for deregulation by some of the farmer’s who have wild deer on their properties. The TDAC, with the help of all members, has received a continued commitment from the Minister that there will be no change to the status of deer in Tasmanian at this stage.I believe this is in recognition of the highly successful, co-operative approach that exists between landowners and hunters to manage the wild deer herds for mutual benefit. This is something that has been developed on many properties throughout the deer range in Tasmania for many years now. It is

also testament to the efforts being put in by hunters to assist landowners and to adapt to the changing property dynamics that come with intensive farming from a game management perspective.The call for commercial taking of fallow deer is still prevalent, but again the Minister has committed to no change at this stage. While having gained commitment from the present Minister, the fight to keep this commitment will always be present in some form.

A Statement of Current Practices for Management of Tasmanian Wild Fallow Deer

GMLC has been told of a change to the Statement of Current Pratices for wild Fallow Deer in the way that we control deer outside of the traditional range. This has been discussed at several meetings and a proposed approach to the management of fallow deer outside the traditional range will be discussed in the future.

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Membership inquiries to

National Membership Office,Australian Deer Association inc.P.O. Box 454 Croydon, Victoria 3136.

Phone: (03) 9870 1175 Fax: (03) 9870 1173Email: [email protected]: www.austdeer.com.au

“Conservation is a State of Harmony between Men and the Land” Aldo Leopold

• Meet with and learn from experienced deer hunters and conservationists

• “Australian Deer” magazine subscription included

• Educational meeings with guest speakers, including demonstrations• Members are covered by public liability and personal injury insurance

• All species of deer and all methods of deer hunting are represented

• Membership provides a genuine reason to hold a firearm licence

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New to deer hunting?Want to learn the ropes from experienced hunters?

The Association’s Hunter education programThe very best and most experienced deer hunters in Australia make their time available at our hunter education course held at Rawson and other courses so you can learn from their experience and be successful too.

The Association’s Deer Management ProgramThe Association facilitates a number of Deer Management Programs in conjunction with land managers, both private and public, to manage deer populations. Association members have the opportunity to play a very important part in these programs by getting involved in harvest operations using their hunting skills.

Photo: Errol Mason. www.sambardeer.com

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Proposed amendments to the state Firearms Act 1996

I have continued to work hard on our submission regarding the proposed amendments to the state Firearms Act 1996. I have had a meeting with the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and several phone conversations with his department.TDAC supports the reduction of the age for hunting in the field from 16 to 12, so as to bring Tasmania in line with most other states of Australia. The TDAC also supports the removal of the 28 day waiting period for second or subsequent firearms.

Code of Practice for the Hunting of Wild Fallow Deer in Tasmania

This Code has been endorsed by the Minister and a copy will be distributed to all existing deer licence holders. This has been written by deer hunters for deer hunters. I hope hunters will take the time to read this.The development of this Code has been in progress for a long time and I would like to thank John Bruce, Rod Hill and Don Riddell for their work on this project over the years. Also thanks to Greg Hocking and Kate Gill for helping me out with this project in the past year.

Big Den State Forest

A new challenge for the deer hunters of Tasmania will be the balloting of the Big Den State Forest. This plan has come about due to safety worries for the hunters and Forestry Tasmania workers.From what I have seen and heard, the 2012 season was a very good season with lots of good heads taken as well as some superior heads. I hope this continues into the 2013 season.Overall I would like to thank all the committee for their hard work, and a special thanks to Andrew Winwood and Wayne Turale for all the phone calls throughout the year.Matthew Allen - Chairman TDAC

Tasmanian Deer Advisory Committee Report

17

Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association ReportThere is a revolution under way in Tasmanian agriculture. Over the last 15 years, our farming landscape has been significantly altered with crops growing in what used to be pretty ordinary sheep country. Irrigation has opened our eyes to a wider range of high value crop options, and many farmers have diversified their businesses to take advantage of these opportunities.But every silver lining hides a cloud – to mix a metaphor. The availability of water and feed has led to a massive explosion in populations of browsing animals and nuisance birds. These pests are having a huge impact on farm incomes, damaging and destroying pasture for stock and crops. The state and federal governments jointly funded a study awhile ago to find alternatives to 1080 to control browsing animals in Tasmania. Like many studies, this confirmed what farmers already knew – the pasture loss within the first 100 metres from native

vegetation averages 60 per cent. That is enormous.The study suggested that, on King Island alone, the crop losses suffered by farmers now amount to more than $28 million a year. On that basis, across the state, the figure would exceed $100 million a year – which is around 10% of the entire value of agriculture at farm gate. Of course, those calculations don’t take into account the sunk costs of crops that are planted and then destroyed; nor do they factor in the resources farmers apply to controlling pest animals. While this may be a worst case scenario, there is no argument that the damage caused by massive wildlife over-population is staggering; and that farmers operating on very thin margins simply can’t afford to lose this much money.King Island’s problem is particularly serious. Action must be taken to bring browsing animal populations back into a normal and sustainable range. To do that, we have to treat the island as one farm. Therefore we would like an exemption from the standard crop protection approvals regime.We understand that the recently announced partnership agreement between the state government and the King Island Council includes some funding to co-ordinate more effective management of wallabies on the Island. It will be interesting to see the details of the funding, and to understand how population numbers are going to be

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reduced by such a large amount. On a national scale, rabbits, foxes, wild dogs, carp, feral pigs and other invasive animals are an insidious threat to Australia’s food and fibre security, to biodiversity and social well-being. Experts at the Invasive Animals CRC calculate that invasive animals cost Australia at least $740 million every year in lost agricultural production and control costs. These invasive animals are also a major threat to wildlife conservation. Foxes, feral cats, rabbits and rats have contributed to the extinction of numerous mammal and bird species and continue to impact on hundreds of threatened plant and animal species. For example, the rabbit affects 156 threatened species and native vegetation over two-thirds of Australia.The establishment of the Invasive Species Branch within DPIPWE is a welcome initiative. Bringing management of all invasive species together should deliver better on-ground outcomes.

These are all steps in the right direction – but there is much still to do.These are not just issues for farmers. They affect all Tasmanians – directly or indirectly. When farmers are doing it tough, that spreads to rural communities as well – so the impacts are being felt far and wide across the state. When populations of pest animals rise to such proportions that native species of plants and animals are put at threat, that too is something everyone should be concerned about. We’re keen to see what role hunters can play in managing browsing and pest animals and nuisance birds. Many farmers have good relationships with hunters, often going back many years and even across generations. However, as properties change hands and people move, sometimes these relationships can be lost and there may well be space for new ones to be forged.There are certainly opportunities for us all to work together for win/win outcomes. David Gatenby - President TFGA

Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association Report

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Managing Browsing Wildlife

BAMP Update

The Browsing Animal Management Program has been running for over a year now. Established to assist farmers achieve productivity gains through the effective management of losses to browsing wildlife, the Program has been highly visible at regional workshops, agricultural shows and demonstration days. The Program advocates a strong planning approach, with the same importance placed on browsing reduction as with other farm activities. BAMP Officers have the capacity to conduct regular onsite visits, calculate your browsing losses and help you develop your integrated browsing strategy specifically targeting wallaby, pademelon and brushtail possum. A comprehensive set of resources are available on the web by visiting www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/managingbrowsingwildlife and much effort has been put into keeping up to date with advances in fencing.

Building relationships with hunters

Many within the Tasmanian hunting community play a vital role on farms to help achieve effective browsing control. Enhancing the value of the win/win situation for landowners and hunters is a crucial part in improving browsing animal management and hunter access to land. Property success stories have a few important things in common. The first, and foremost, being excellent arrangements for good communication between all parties. There has been a clear articulation of property objectives by the landowner. Give and take arrangements between all parties are well defined. There is a shared understanding between all parties of the level of acceptable damage/loss. A process is in place for measuring the success of implemented controls, and in order to achieve this, there is a clear understanding of requirements to achieve success and the hunters are good operators.In an ideal world there would be complete utilisation of resources. The reality is that this

is not always possible until populations of wallaby and possum have been reduced to low levels. The support landholders provide to hunters to control wildlife needs to be thoughtful and generous to encourage the regular attendance of skilled hunters. Gone are the days when relatively poor rural people would sell wallaby and possum skins to make ends meet and put up with hardships to get access to land. Today, trustworthy, capable modern shooters have choices and if you want them to put time into reducing browser populations, some form of incentive will be necessary. Supplying hunters with ammunition for instance, to encourage possum control is a very cost effective arrangement. Planning vehicle access through paddocks and around the fringes of crops to ensure hunter access is not restricted is essential. In short - create conditions where your hunters can efficiently and effectively provide their service to your business.

Staff Update

Staff changes within the BAMP Program have included the addition of Robbie Gaffney from the Fox Eradication Program and the recent transfer of Drew Lee to the Captive Devil Program.

Robbie Gaffney

Wildlife Biologist, Robbie Gaffney, joined the browsing Animal Management Program in July 2012. Robbie grew up in rural NW Tasmania and still retains close links with the family farm. He has 20 years’ experience as a wildlife and conservation biologist within the Department. This includes threatened species management of a wide range of fauna species on private and public land especially associated with the forest industry. He has also undertaken forest assessments on private land targeting high conservation value forests not adequately

20

represented in the public land system. He has been involved in the spotlight monitoring surveys as well as waterbird monitoring surveys. From 2007 he was a biologist within the Research and Development Section of the Fox Eradication Branch (now Invasive Species Branch).One of the key aims for Robbie in the BAMP is to encourage landowners to undertake pasture loss monitoring so that the full economic impact of browsing animals can be measured. This will clearly demonstrate to farmers exactly how ‘big’ the problem is and will allow them to allocate resources to deal with the problem in their farm plans.If you are a landowner and not sure of the significant losses these browsing animals may be having on your farm or not yet utilising the Tasmanian hunting community to help achieve effective browsing control, give Jonathan or Robbie a call. Contact details on page 50 of this publication.

Commercially harvesting of wallaby

Commercial game harvesters when spotlight shooting wallabies on private property, are required to operate under a current crop protection permit that authorises the spotlight shooting of wallaby in exactly the same way that recreational wallaby hunters are required. The Wildlife Management Branch issue wallaby crop protection permits to applying landowners or land managers, and provide delegate permit copies to the landowner to then ‘on issue’ to hunters once full name and address details have been completed.A Commercial Wallaby Hunting licence authorises the licence holder to sell the products of wildlife that result from a landowner or land manager’s authorised culling of wallaby and should not be confused with the activities of commercial contract shooters. Commercial contract shooters offer their skill as a shooter in return for payment. More information relating to the commercial harvesting of wallaby can be found on page 38 of this publication.


Annual brushtail possum Crop Protection Permits

Since August 21 last year, crop protection permits for brushtail possums have been issued for a period of up to twelve months allowing possum permits to be run congruently with wallaby permits for a property. During the transitional period of bringing possum permits in line with existing wallaby permits, possum permits are being processed with the same expiry date as existing wallaby permits for a property. For example, if a wallaby permit is current for a further period of say six months, the possum permit will be issued only for that period. Thereafter, both permits will be issued for twelve months, expiring on the same day.Further information on crop protection permits, relevant species, landowner and hunter responsibilities and wallaby licences can be found under the Permits and Regulations heading at www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/managingbrowsingwildlife

Brushtail possum Code of Practice

In September 2012 the ‘Code of Practice for the field shooting of brushtail possums in Tasmania’ was endorsed by the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and approved by the Minister as an Animal Welfare Guideline under the Animal Welfare Act 1993. Landowners will receive a copy of this Code of Practice with their brushtail possum crop protection permit during 2013. Commercial brushtail possum licence holders will receive a copy when they receive their licence during 2013.Recreational hunters who purchased a recreational wallaby licence during the 2012-13 open season were mailed a copy of this Code of Practice in late 2012. Copies are available by contacting the Wildlife Management Branch’s Reception or an officer detailed on page 50 of this publication.

21

0.000.100.200.300.400.500.600.700.800.901.00

Cumulative

108

0 usage (kg)

2010‐11 2011‐12 2012‐13

Figure 1: Summary of monthly 1080 poison usage figures for the 2010-2011, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 (July to October) financial years.


1080 Poison Usage Update

The total amount of 1080 poison used state-wide for browsing animal management per financial year in Tasmania, continues to remain low. The pattern of state-wide usage of 1080 poison for the above purpose has remained below 1kg for the past five consecutive financial years and is in line with the State Government’s Tasmania Together policy benchmark on reducing the use of 1080 poison for browsing animal management (see Figure 1).The total state-wide usage of 1080 poison for browsing animal control for the 2011-12 financial year was 0.42kg, which is 55 percent lower than the usage in 2010-11, and 43 percent lower than usage in 2009-10.This represents a 97 per cent reduction in usage from 1999-2000 levels of 15.2kg, and we remain on track to achieve the Tasmania Together target of a 100 per cent reduction by 2015.As been the case over the past five years, inevitable fluctuations in 1080 usage have occurred and may be attributed to the following key factors:DPIPWE Policy on the use of 1080 poison, particularly on the matter of limitation of repeat usage of 1080 poison (where a

poisoning operation may be permitted on the same site only once within a 3 year period). This has had a direct positive impact upon browsing animal management planning, encouraging adoption of alternative control approaches and ensuring that 1080 poison is used truly as a method of last resort. The varying effect of seasonal conditions and landscape changes upon wildlife abundance, their movement within the landscape, and associated levels of impact upon agricultural production.More broadly, the rapidly increasing adoption of alternative control measures and particularly, landowners investing in the use of ‘best practice’ wallaby fencing and shooting strategies.As reported in Game Tracks 2012, via Tasmania Together, the Tasmanian Government remains committed to reducing the use of 1080 poison and has benchmarked the year 2015 for its phase out for use on browsing animals. Landowners requiring assistance with browsing wildlife are strongly encouraged to contact Browsing Animal Management Officers (BAMP) or Game Management Officers whose details are listed on page 50 of Game Tracks.

22

Game Species Update

Fallow Deer

Season update

The 2012 Fallow deer season was the best season on record when taking into consideration both the quantity and quality of animals harvested. Overall reported take for antlerless Fallow deer was 2731 and 1652 for bucks (see Figure 1). These numbers present hunters with the best season on record since the 2006 mandatory reporting of game species take was implemented.Of some 440 reported bucks this year the percentage of animals above 200 Quality Score was 49.5 per cent. This equates to nearly 1 in every 2 bucks reported to the GMU scoring above a Quality Score of 200. In addition, you may notice that 13 per cent of the bucks reported scored above 225 Quality Score (see Figure 2). In the Ross and Cressy District measurements of the smallest beam circumference and also palm width without points have been producing some interesting measurements. That on paper, would have been considered incorrect had they not been sighted by a GMU officer. A detailed guide to measuring antlers for Quality Score has been provided on page 47 of this publication.The overall issue of Crop Protection Permits for the past seven years has been tallied in Figure 3. Requests during the 2012 period increased. This year has seen an increase in both antlerless and also male deer permit request since the break of the drought. This trend mirrors the increase in game season takes implicating the overall health and fertility of Fallow deer in

Tasmania as being good. It is anticipated that fertility rates would have increased as a result of lowered densities and increased resources since the breaking of the drought and further, that survival rates could be benefiting from the lowered populations of Tasmanian Devils. Unfortunately, very little evidence exists to support these theories due to the reduction of properties keeping detailed records, as once was the case. The number of tags issued under male deer crop protection permits is increasing, particularly for spikies during the period November to February for the protection of high value crops. The diversification of agribusiness practices from pastoral to intensive has continued, resulting in a lowered tolerance to browsers. Approximately 74 per cent of the tags issued during 2012 were for properties operating under a Property-based Wildlife Management Plan (PBWMP). Permits issued for deer outside of the traditional range are also included in these figures. Several properties operating with successful property plans are currently re-evaluating the objectives and goals of their agreed plans and part of these negotiations include the management of male deer deemed to be in surplus of both landowners and hunter requirements.

Figure 1: Fallow deer Game Licence Sales and Reported Takes for the period 2006 -2012.

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

35993869 3849

4088 4151 4163 4325

23842635

2357 2264 2439 24992731

1631 1591 14791286 1307 1317

1652

Fallow deer Game Licence Sales and Reported Take 2006 -2012

Licences Sold Reported Antlerless Take Reported Buck Take

Figure 1: Fallow deer Game Licence Sales and Reported Takes for the period 2006 -2012.

23

Game Species Update

Figure 2: Quality Score summaries for bucks over 200+ and 225+ from 1994 – 2012.

710

21 2123

19

2724

3136 36 35 35 35 33 32

3641

49

1 1 2 3 3 27 6 6 7 9

5 6 6 69

13

Statewide Reported Quality Score 1994 - 2012 Quality Score 200+ Quality Score 225+

Figure 3. 2006 – 2012 Crop Protection Permits Issued per calendar year between 2006 -2012

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

5535

66397596

4842

3551 3353

5024

175 436 435 633 495 666 877

5710

70758031

5475

4046 4019

5901

Crop Protection Permits Issued 2006 - 2012

Antlerless Buck + Immature Total

Figure 2: Quality Score summaries for bucks over 200+ and 225+ from 1994 – 2012.

Figure 3. 2006 – 2012 Crop Protection Permits Issued per calendar year between 2006 -2012.

Code of Practice

All recreational fallow deer game licence holders who purchased a licence in 2012 were sent a copy of the ‘Code of Practice for the hunting of wild fallow deer in Tasmania’ in late 2012. This Code was developed by the Tasmanian Deer Advisory Committee (TDAC), endorsed by the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee as an Animal Welfare Guideline and approved by the Minister. Copies can be obtained by contacting the TDAC or a Game Management Officer whose details are available elsewhere in this publication.

Central Highlands Deer Ballot

The Central Highlands Deer Ballot includes the Great Western Tiers, Top Marshes and Five Mile Pinnacles Conservation Areas. Ideally, these three areas of land are for recreational hunters who have not secured access to other areas of private or state land. The ballot operates during the Adult Male Deer Season and the first doe season held during March each year. Further details including an application form to register can be found at www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Big Den State Forest

The Big Den State Forest has been balloted for the 2013 March deer season. All enquiries should be directed to: Peter Rowlands (03) 6420 6211 or Peter Johnstone (03) 6353 6466.

Health Update

During 2012, intestines were sent to the Mt Pleasant Animal health Laboratory from thirty-five deer shot in areas where Ovine Johne’s Disease (OJD - a fatal bacterial gut infection resulting in wasting and death in sheep) had been recorded. Six of these deer were in poor condition. All 35 deer were tested for OJD and they were all negative. This means that Fallow deer are either not prone to infection with the OJD or else a very small percentage (less than 10%) are actively infected. Some deer had thickened intestines due to worm infestations and some had (for deer) relatively high worm egg counts in their manure sample.

24

Game Species UpdateJohne’s Disease in Red deer is a very serious disease in New Zealand – Red deer can die before they are 12 months old. The glands in the mesentry (the band of tissue that fans out to support the intestines) become very swollen. The formal OJD in Fallow Deer project is over now, but if you do see a deer in poor condition, please put it out of its misery and open it up. If you see swollen glands in the mesentry please call me on 0407 872 520.We also saw some other interesting conditions in deer including a dry, crusty, grey skin condition with hair loss. No mites or fungi could be found although the condition appeared to have been present for a long time. The pathologist suspected the condition could be caused by the same bacteria that causes ‘lumpy wool’ in sheep. A check of past laboratory records revealed that we have examined six similar skin samples from deer since 1984 with one confirmed ringworm and the rest non-diagnostic results. I am very keen to get more skin samples next season if possible and do more intense testing.The ideal sample would be a whole fresh skin from an animal with small early skin changes. Bruce Jackson 0407 872 520

Wallaby

Wallaby licence figures

During the February 2011-2012 open wallaby season, 6775 wallaby licences were sold and to date 6935 have been sold for the 2012-2013 season. The annual nocturnal spotlight survey results including regional breakdowns for 2011-2012 can be found on the Department’s web site at http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/Attachments/JAAR-8UD274?open. Results from this survey indicate densities of all three species have increased since last year’s survey.

Health Update

Pademelon orange liver disease

We have seen four cases of liver damage in Tasmanian pademelons. Animals were mature and in poor condition and the liver was an orange to yellow colour. Populations had decreased in these areas over recent months but blood tests showed that Toxoplasmosis was not the cause of illness. A substance called amyloid was seen in the livers when examined under a microscope. There are a number of possible causes of amyloid in the liver but at this stage we suspect a poisonous plant. We would like more Pademelons with orange/yellow livers, preferably not bled out (so we can collect heart blood), and gut in (so we can identify plants in the stomach), so if you shoot one and it is in poor condition, open it up enough to see what colour the liver is, and, if it is not a normal colour please contact me so we can arrange collection. Your assistance is appreciated.Bruce Jackson 0407 872 520.

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Game Species Update

Wild Duck

The 2012 season was similar to recent seasons in terms of total bag and species composition of the overall take (Table 1). There was an increase of approximately 10 percent in the number of licenses issued, which is the biggest increase in a number of years. Hunters reported taking 42,061 ducks over the three month open season, which equates to an average of approximately 41 birds per licence and is consistent with the previous two seasons. Table 1 provides a comparison of licence and bag numbers for the 2012 season with previous years.The species composition of the bag (Figure 4) in 2012 is very similar to that for 2011. Indeed this pattern, with only little variation across species, has been evident for a number of years now. Black duck continue to make up the majority of the harvest, followed by chestnut teal and wood duck. The least frequently taken species were mountain duck and grey teal. This is probably due to a combination of the relative abundance of the different species in the landscape and hunter preferences.The distribution of the wild duck harvest across the state has been consistent over

recent seasons. (Figure 5). The majority of wild duck take occurred in Tasmania’s northeast, although the northeast’s share of the overall take was down by 5% from the previous two years. In 2012, approximately 81 per cent of licence holders provided information on their take during the wild duck season; this is a slight decrease on last year. We look forward to being able to report 100 per cent returns in the not too distant future!

Harvest season 2009 2010 2011 2012*

Licences issued 893 960 959 1,032

Reported take 33,080 39,576 39,366 42,061

Take per licence return 44.3 45.8 46.5 49.8

Total estimated take 39,598 43,928 44,604 51,417*Preliminary figures as at October 2012

Table 1: Wild duck hunting licences issued and reported take, 2009-12

Black Duck40%

Chestnut Teal20%

Grey Teal10%

Mountain Duck11%

Wood Duck19%

2011

Black Duck42%

Chestnut Teal 20%

Grey Teal 13%

Mountain Duck 10%

Wood Duck 15%

2012

Figure 8: State-wide reported wild duck take by region, 2011 and 2012.

King Is4% Furneaux

8% South WestTas

1%

NW Tas13%

NE Tas29%

Moulting Lagoon

13%

South East

Tasmania12%

Central Plateau

18%

Location Unknown

2%

2012

King Is2% Furneaux

6% West Coast

3%

NW Tas14%

NE Tas34%

Moulting Lagoon

14%

South East

Tasmania12%

Central Plateau

12%

Location Unknown

3%

2011


King Is4% Furneaux

8% South WestTas

1%

NW Tas13%

NE Tas29%

Moulting Lagoon

13%

South East

Tasmania12%

Central Plateau

18%

Location Unknown

2%

2012

King Is2% Furneaux

6% West Coast

3%

NW Tas14%

NE Tas34%

Moulting Lagoon

14%

South East

Tasmania12%

Central Plateau

12%

Location Unknown

3%

2011


Black Duck40%

Chestnut Teal20%

Grey Teal10%

Mountain Duck11%

Wood Duck19%

2011

Black Duck42%

Chestnut Teal 20%

Grey Teal 13%

Mountain Duck 10%

Wood Duck 15%

2012

Figure 4: State-wide reported wild duck harvest by species, 2011 and 2012

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Game Species Update

Waterfowl Identification Test Update

The Game Council NSW in conjunction with the Victorian Department of Primary Industries have commenced the development of a replacement hunter education program to ensure recreational hunters are competent in their identification of waterfowl game and non-game species.

Health Update

Samples were again collected from hunters during the 2012 season as a part of Australia’s Avian Influenza Surveillance Program. This national program aims to increase our knowledge about the strains of Avian Influenza which occur in wild birds in Tasmania and elsewhere in Australia. This information is used to help prevent outbreaks of highly infectious forms of Avian Influenza in Tasmania. This year we received 284 samples from duck hunters. By obtaining these fresh shot duck samples we were able to detect several isolates of the virus that we otherwise may not have been able to do. Six of the samples collected at Moulting Lagoon were found to be positive for the Avian Influenza virus. Five of these samples were collected from Teals, and the sixth sample was collected from a Mountain duck. All six samples were then sent on to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong for further analysis. Fortunately all the samples were confirmed

to be low-pathogenic strains (and so unlikely to cause an outbreak of disease in Tasmania). One sample was confirmed to be H9N2 strain, which is the first time this strain has been identified in Tasmania. So a big thank you to all who assisted with our AI sample collection - without your help the Program would not have been as successful as it was.Over the preceding 12 months, Australia- wide, faecal or intestinal samples were taken from over 8,000 birds, with the majority collected from waterbirds (ducks and waders). Fortunately all the strains of virus that were found were not the strains that cause widespread disease in wild birds, poultry or humans. However, these surveillance activities continue to find a wide range of strains of AI viruses which although not highly infectious at present, need to be monitored over time. These findings support the need for a continuation of our wild bird sampling program and also confirms the need for poultry producers to remain alert. We are continuing this program again this year and hope to work with duck hunters to get further fresh shot duck samples. For those who may be able to assist us, what we will need is for the guts and head of the duck to be collected into a single plastic bag and the bag to be labelled with the date and area the duck was shot and for these samples to be kept as cool as practical. These samples can be put into the deep freezer and we can arrange to collect them from anywhere in the state. If you think you may be able to assist and would like some further information please contact Sue Martin or Bruce Jackson on 03 6336 5306, 03 6336 5334 or 0407 872 520). Also ring us if you would like plastic bags and labelling pens. Your help is very much appreciated.

Recreational muttonbird harvest

The recreational muttonbird harvest was open for 16 days in March and April 2012. A summary of the season is provided in Table 2. The comparable figures are also provided for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

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Game Species Update

Harvest Year 2010 2011 2012*

Colonies open to harvest 44 43 44

Licences issued 1,087 907 959

State-wide reported take 53,202 34,898 39,368

Permit returns 76% 72.6% 63.9%

Average birds per licence return

64.6 54.5 64.2

Estimate of Total Take 70,220 49,431 61,567*Preliminary figures only

Table 2: Summary of season details for the recreational muttonbird harvest 2010-12

02000400060008000

100001200014000160001800020000

Hunter Group King Island FurneauxGroup

West Coast Unknown

2010 Harvest 2011 Harvest 2012 Harvest

Figure 6: Comparison of annual muttonbird harvest, 2010-2012.

Figure 7: Proportion of 2012 Tasmanian recreational muttonbird take by region.

While the overall pattern of harvest across the regions is similar to previous years, the total recreational harvest for 2012 was up 12.8 per cent on 2011 but it was still 26 per cent below the harvest for 2010 (Table 2 and Figure 6). The majority of the total recreational harvest for 2012 was taken from islands in the Furneaux and Hunter Island groups (Figure 7). These two regions accounted for 67 per cent of the recreational harvest with approximately 13,500 and 12,500 chicks taken respectively. As in previous years, Little Dog Island in the Furneaux Group was the most productive site providing 18 per cent (7000 chicks) of the total harvest. In the Hunter Group, the Petrels (5000 chicks) and Walker Island (5000) were the most productive locations providing approximately 13 per cent each of the total harvest.Based on preliminary figures the harvest has increased approximately 18 per cent per licence holder.

Figure 10: Proportion of 2012 Tasmanian recreational muttonbird take by region.

Hunter Gp32%

King Is21%

Furneaux Gp35%

West C8%

Unknown4%

This is consistent with increased burrow occupancy rates found in the pre-season surveys undertaken by DPIPWE (compared with 2011 pre-season surveys). A comparison of the harvest in all regions is provided in Figure 6.Muttonbirds show extremely high site-fidelity, returning to the same rookery year after year. Monitoring of individual rookeries is therefore important for their management. To assist in this, since 2009, birders have been asked to provide details of the exact colony they harvested. Precise reporting of a harvest location allows the WMB to more

accurately monitor the harvest pressure in particular rookeries, rather than simply by region, thereby helping to ensure the annual harvest remains sustainable. By providing harvest return data birders contribute an essential step in ensuring the muttonbirds are sustainably managed.

30

2011/12 Muttonbird breeding season update

Recent monitoring in the Furneaux Group, Hunter Group and South East Tasmania has found a marked increase in the breeding success of Short-tailed shearwaters (Muttonbirds) between 2011 and 2012, and a return to near average levels for recent years. At the same time, while the breeding population remains reduced, there is evidence of a small recovery in the adult breeding population.

Game Species Update

Furneaux Island Group

Over recent years, shearwater populations on 5 Islands in the Furneaux Group have been monitored. Little Dog Island, Little Green Island, Big Green Island, East Kangaroo Island, have been monitored since 1993 for breeding success and 1997 for breeding adults. Goose Island has been monitored only since 2009 when it was selected to allow a comparison with an unharvested island as Goose Island is distant from the Flinders Island coast and not open to harvesting during the open season.

The following Figures 8 and 9 show trends in breeding population (December surveys) and breeding success (March surveys).Monitoring of the burrow occupancy for breeding adult birds in the Furneaux group indicates a 40 per cent decline in breeding population, from a peak in 2001 to a low in 2010. The December 2011 results show an increase in breeding population of approximately 7 per cent from the low in 2010.

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Figure 8: Trends in breeding population since 1997.

Figure 9: Trends in breeding success in the Furneaux Island Group since 1993.

-5

5

15

25

35

45

55

65

75

85

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Bur

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Chick burrow occupancy in the Furneaux Islands 1993 - 2012

Little Green Is. Little Dog Is. East Kangaroo Is.

Big Green Is. Goose Is. Furneaux Mean

0

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20

30

40

50

60

70

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1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Bur

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East Kangaroo Little Green Little DogBig Green Goose Mean for Furneaux

31

Game Species Update

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Chick burrow occupancy (breeding success)

Surveys are undertaken in March to determine breeding success. It is acknowledged that these surveys would be best undertaken within a couple of weeks prior to the chicks fledging and leaving their burrows however the timing of the surveys is aimed at collecting data prior to the commencement of the harvest season. The following figure shows pre harvest chick burrow occupancy. Breeding success is dependent on weather conditions, particularly rainfall and availability of food. As chicks are raised in burrows they can be significantly impacted by high rainfall as seen in 2011. In 2012, monitoring shows a substantial increase in breeding success with the mean percentage burrow occupancy for chicks for the Furneaux group being the highest seen since 2007.

Average burrow occupancy for shearwater chicks in 2012 was 42.72 per cent. This is slightly higher than average burrow occupancy of 42.27 per cent for the 1993-2012 monitoring period.

Volunteers needed in the Furneaux Islands

The Wildlife Management Branch is seeking volunteers to assist in the annual survey of Short-tailed Shearwaters in the Furneaux Islands.We will be surveying burrow occupancy on Big Green, Little Green, East Kangaroo, Goose and Little Dog Islands between the 4th and 7th March 2013. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Ross Monash on (03) 6233 2457, email [email protected] or by post to: Ross Monash; Wildlife Management Branch, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment GPO Box 44, Hobart, 7001

32

Game Species Update

Pheasants

Season update

The 2012 Pheasant season was reported as being a very quiet one. Attendance (less than 30 hunters) at the King Island Game Bird Association meeting displayed a significant decline in the numbers of participating hunters. Whilst the Department can confirm that 123 licences were sold for this season, feedback from King Island during the season indicates that hunter participation was significantly down this year. It was also reported that across the Island the numbers of cocks observed was up significantly and similar to last year. Weighing these reports against licence sales and reported take (Figure 10) information confirms reports that hunter participation was significantly down this year. As you can observe since 2006, this has been the first season that less than 200 cocks have been reported as taken.As is the tradition, the King Island Game Bird Association is planning to hold a General Meeting the Friday evening before the season at the RSL Club in Currie commencing at 6:00pm. If you are planning to make the trip this year please take the time and effort to attend this meeting and show the KIGBA your support. As previously reported, a proposal to change the pheasant season to 3 days to include the Monday without increasing the bag, was put forward (by KIGBA members during) during the 2011 meeting. During last year’s

pre-season meeting the KIGBA President addressed members to say the proposal was given consideration but it was decided to maintain the current season. This decision was made as it was felt to be in the best interest of private landowners and also the sustainability of the cock birds.If you are keen or considering a hunting trip to King Island for the upcoming Pheasant season please make sure you have the appropriate permission to hunt on private land.If you require assistance and support for this endeavour please don’t hesitate to contact the King Island Game Bird Association on 0428 611 254 or email [email protected]

Brown quail

Overall, results to date indicate that licence sales, total harvest and harvest per hunter were similar to recent years. Table 3 provides a comparison with previous years regarding the number of licences issued and the take. It should be noted that, at the time of writing (October 2012), over one third (39.7 per cent) of returns were still outstanding, consequently the total reported take can be expected to rise. The number of licences issued in 2012 rose by 4 per cent compared with last year, to 247. Preliminary figures indicate the average bag remained stable, increasing very slightly from 54 birds per licence return in 2011 to 55 birds per licence return in 2012 (Table 3).

Returns indicate that the islands of the Furneaux Group were again the most popular region for quail hunting in Tasmania (Figure 11), and also the most productive (Figure 12) with the average take for hunters shooting there being

Figure 10. Pheasant Game Licence sales and Reported Take between 2006-2012.

122 112147 124 110 108 123

352

227

306273

303

249

172

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

King Island Pheasant Season 2006 - 2012Licences Sold Reported Take

33

Game Species Update78 birds per hunter (Table 4). The next most productive area in terms of total number of birds shot was the north east (34 birds per hunter), while the northwest was also productive (37 birds per hunter) for the small number of hunters that hunted there (6 per cent).

Tasmanian region where birds were shot

No. of licenced hunters who have provided a return

% of hunters who have provided a return**

Total No. of Quail reported taken in this region

Average No. of Quail taken per return

% of total no. of Quail taken

North west 11 7.3 408 37.1 5.0

North east 51 34.2 1,712 33.6 20.8

Central north 32 21.5 737 23.0 9.0

Central south* 15 10.1 399 26.6 4.9

South east* 15 10.1 264 17.6 3.2

Furneaux Group 58 39.0 4,540 78.3 55.2

King Island 1 0.7 80 80 1.0

Unknown 2 1.3 79 39.5 1.0

All regions 149 (of 247) 100 8,219 55.2 100

Total North 94 63 2,857 30.4 34.8

Total South* 25 16.8 663 22.1 8.0

Total Bass Strait 59 39.6 4,620 78.3 56.2

Harvest season 2010 2011 2012*

Licences issued 185 237 247

Reported take 7,464 8,826 8,219

Birds per licence return 54.5 54.2 55.16

Estimated total harvest 10,079 12,848 13,625

Table 3: Brown Quail hunting licences issued and reported take, 20010-12.

Table 4: Brown Quail Harvest by Region, 2012.* Preliminary figures only - 39 per cent of returns were still outstanding as of October 2012.Licence returns include information on the location and number of quail shot; this has allowed a regional breakdown of the quail harvest (see Table 4).*Data provided here is only from that part of southern Tasmania that was not previously open to quail hunting.** As some hunters hunted quail in more than one region the total percentage for all regions combined is greater than 100 per cent.

Conclusion of Extension of Open Season on Brown quail to Southern Tasmania

The 2012 quail season was the second year of a two year trial in which Brown quail were allowed to be taken in southern Tasmania. Prior to this trial there had not been a quail season in the south since the 1967 bushfires. Data from the two years have been analysed and the absence of any major difference in quail density between the north and the south of Tasmania suggests that there is no reason for maintaining the closed season in southern Tasmania while opening the season

in northern Tasmania. Consequently the whole of mainland Tasmania will be managed uniformly in future quail hunting seasons. As part of a review to assess (i) the sustainability of quail hunting in Tasmania and (ii) the validity of retaining the closure of the southern part of the state for quail hunting, DPIPWE undertook an analysis of take by hunters across the state since 2007. Over the period 2007 to 2010, the total take increased by over 70 per cent in line with an increase in the take per hunter. The number of hunters remained largely unchanged over

34

Game Species Update

this period. Assuming no increase in the hunter effort over this period, the increase in take per hunter indicates an increase in quail abundance. This suggests that these increased harvest rates are sustainable.Since 2010, the number of quail licences issued has increased by 33 per cent, coinciding with the trial extension of the season to include southern Tasmania. It is noteworthy, that despite a 33 per cent increase in hunter numbers since 2010, the increased take per hunter, relative to 2007-9, has been maintained. This suggests that quail numbers have remained stable despite increased hunting pressure and that current take levels are sustainable. In addition, long-term monitoring of quail abundance on the Furneaux islands, which supports the highest ‘overall’ and ‘per hunter’ harvest, provides no evidence of any decline in quail numbers under the existing harvest pressure (Figure 13).Another component of the review of quail hunting involved analysis of quail density at

0.0

0.5

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2.0

2.5

3.0

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Qua

il flu

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Brown Quail Flushed - Furneaux Islands

Figure 13: Trends in Brown Quail abundance in the Furneaux Islands, 1998-2012.

North west6%

North east28%

Central north17%

Central south8%

South east8%

Furneaux Group31%

King Island1%

Unknown1%

North west5%

North east21%

Central north9%

Central south*5%

South east*3%

Furneaux Group55%

King Island1%

Unknown1%

Figure 11: Hunting location of quail hunters. Figure 12: Regional breakdown of quail take.

hunting locations across the state. This was based on those hunter returns which provided detailed information (118 or 48% of all licence holders) on the number of quail flushed and the number of quail taken. This was supplemented in most cases by an index of their hunting effort in the form of an estimate of the total distance walked while

hunting quail. Combined, this information allowed comparisons to be made between regions with respect to quail density (quail flushed per kilometre walked) and hunter success (quail taken per respondent). From Table 5 it can be seen that quail density, as reflected by the number of quail flushed per km, is similar in the three major regions; the Furneaux Islands, the north and the south. This is significant in that the absence of any major difference in quail density between the north and the south of Tasmania supports the position that there is no reason for maintaining the closed season in southern Tasmania while opening the season in northern Tasmania. Thank you to those quail hunters who made the effort to complete the Brown Quail Record Sheet for the 2012 season.

Hunter Feedback on Proposed Changes to Quail Season.

Traditionally, the Open Season for Brown quail has run for one month commencing on the

Saturday nearest 1 May. The Game Management Liaison Committee proposed delaying the opening of the Brown quail season by two

35

Game Species Update

SSAA National in partnership with SSAA Tasmania and supported by the Wildlife Management Branch, will be embarking on a project to collect information from harvested Brown Quail taken during the open season. The goal is to explore the temporal and spatial variations in the sex and age of harvested birds as well as provide material for future stable isotope and DNA studies.This information will be used to create a better understanding of brown quail to ensure the continued sustainable management of this wild food resource. SSAA National Quail Research Project Co-ordinator: Matt Godson 0448 887 079SSAA Tasmania Contact: Donald Riddell 0400 283 634 To register and/or request more information regarding sample collection and requirements, please email [email protected] or visit http://www.ssaa.org.au/hunting/quail-research-project.html

Quail hunters... we need youBrown Quail Research Project

Region where quail were shot

Number of respondents (% of total)

Total km walked

Km walked per respondent

Total quail flushed

Quail flushed per km walked

Total quail taken

Quail taken per respondent (per km)

Furneaux Is 28 (24%) 727 25.0 6587 9.1/km 2408 86.0 (3.4)

North* 58 (49%) 582 10.0 4829 8.3/km 1402 24.2 (2.4)

South ** 19 (16%) 176 9.2 2105 11.9/km 442 23.3 (2.5)

Unknown*** 13 (11%) 62 4.3 207 3.3/km 157 12.1 (2.8)

All regions 118 1547 13.1 13728 8.9/km 4409 37.4 (2.9)

Table 5: Brown quail abundance and harvest by region, during the 2012 season.*North Region comprises the Central North, North West and North East of mainland Tasmania. ** The South Region includes that part of southern Tasmania that was not open to quail hunting prior to 2011. It includes the Central South and South East of mainland Tasmania.***Includes returns not assigned to an identifiable region as well as returns from licence holders who did not hunt.

Question 1 Support (%) Oppose (%)

Do you support a two week delay to the quail season?

81 (77%) 24 (23%)

Question 2 Support (%) Oppose (%)

Do you support lengthening the quail season to 2 months?

62 (59%) 43 (41%)

Support for lengthening the quail season to either 6 weeks or 2 months (extrapolated from comments provided

by respondents in answering Question 2).

74 (70%) 31 (30%)

weeks while extending the length of the season from one to two months. DPIPWE sought the views of quail hunters on these proposals.A total of 237 quail hunters were sent questionnaires seeking their responses to the following questions on the timing and duration of the quail season:

Do you support starting the brown quail game season on the Saturday closest to the 15th May?Do you support lengthening the brown quail game season from the current one month season to a two month season?

36

Game Species UpdateAs at 19 September 2012, a total of 105 completed questionnaires had been returned with the following results:There was very strong support for delaying the opening date of the quail season to mid-May. Those supporting the change were concerned that during early May there is a high incidence of immature birds likely to suffer reduced survival rates should the parent birds be harvested. The welfare of dogs was also of concern with early May having warmer weather and a higher incidence of snakes. Opponents of the change cited concerns over the variability among years in the incidence of immature birds.There was less strong support for a lengthening of the quail season from one to two months. However, support for a lengthening of the season increased markedly if those hunters who favoured an increase in the length of season to only 6 weeks (as indicated in their response comments) were included.Supporters of lengthening the season cited increased flexibility as the main reason for

their support, stating that they are unlikely to hunt more often. All hunters opposing the change to a two month season cited concerns over the sustainability of the season if the change were made.Consequently, in 2013, the timing and duration

of the Brown quail season has been adjusted so that the season starts two weeks later and remains open for 6 weeks.Again, thank you to all those quail hunters who took the time to provide feedback to these proposals.

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37

Get convicted, lose five years

Wildlife Operations would like to draw to the attention of landowners and hunters the legislative requirements relating to a person’s inability to obtain permits or licenses for a 5 year period, if a person has been convicted for wildlife or other relevant offences. This includes offences under the Animal Welfare Act 1993, the Firearms Act 1996, the National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002, the Nature Conservation Act 2002 or the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995, or any regulations made under these Acts. The Secretary also has the discretion to determine if other offences are applicable for the purpose of this legislation, and is not limited to offences occurring in Tasmania.

What does this mean to the landowner?

It means that any breach of legislation pertaining to wildlife runs the risk of not being granted crop protection permits for your property for a 5 year period. There is also the further risk that your actions may impact on your hunter’s capacity to retain a firearm’s licence. If your hunters are also implicated, they may not be approved as delegates under your crop protection permits, therefore removing one of their genuine reasons for requiring a firearm’s licence. So please, ensure you obtain, understand and distribute your crop protection permits in a timely manner to support yourself, your property and your hunters.

What about the hunter?

As suggested above, you could lose your capacity to obtain a game licence then your genuine reason to retain your firearm’s licence may be impacted upon.The solution is to make good use of Game Management Staff whose job it is to ensure you as a landowner or hunter are assisted. It’s just not worth the risk.

Importance of reporting suspicious incidents.

Wildlife Operations is continually reviewing its procedures when undertaking statewide game

management compliance patrols, to ensure maximum efficiency of limited resources. The importance of landowners and hunters, aiding in the detection and addressing of unlawful behaviour relating to wildlife matters cannot be stressed enough. You are the eyes and ears of the bush.Information as simple as the date, time and location of an event are extremely useful in assisting Wildlife Rangers identifying patterns of behaviour and undertake targeted Wildlife compliance patrols in areas of continued poaching activity. Further information such as registration numbers or make, model and colour of vehicles can assist in directly identifying persons of interest.The reporting of poaching activities is as simple as ringing a Wildlife Ranger and leaving a message, see contact details on page 50 of this publication. All information received is held in the strictest of confidence and as specified under the Personal Information Protection Act 2004. For your reference, the type of information that is useful has been detailed on a ‘Suspicious Incident Record’ which can be found by visiting www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/wmb

Staffing Updates

Colin Spry accepted the position of Section Manager (Response Coordination) within the Invasive Species Branch in late 2012. As a result, Matt Jones has been appointed Acting Section Head of Wildlife Operations.

New Ranger Appointment

In October 2012 Glenn Woodruff commenced as a Wildlife Ranger with the Wildlife Management Branch. Prior to this, Glenn joined the Department in 2007 as a Field officer and had a further 3 years as a Senior Field Officer for the Fox Eradication Branch now known as the Invasive Species Branch. Throughout his time with the Invasive

Ranger News

38

Species Branch, Glenn had a variety of roles including investigations and monitoring activities, but mostly was responsible for the 1080 baiting program in the operations sector. As a Senior Field Officer his primary role was planning and supervising the southern baiting operations which have developed his knowledge of properties and landscape throughout Tasmania.Glenn has lived in Tasmania his entire life and has more than 25years experience in wildlife and feral animal management throughout Tasmania and mainland Australia. Glenn is excited to be appointed to his new role as a Wildlife Ranger and looks forward to meeting members of the local community and working in the Wildlife Management Branch. This new position aligns with his long term commitment to the sustainable management and conservation of Tasmania’s natural resources.

Possession of ammunition

There is no limit to the possession of small arms ammunition if a person is the holder of a licence for a firearm which takes that ammunition. However under the Dangerous Substances (Safe Handling) Regulations 2009, a person who loads or reloads ammunition for their own personal use, with propellant powders with classification code 1.3C or 1.1D (black powder), is permitted to possess up to 5kg NEQ (NEQ = net explosive quantities), and must hold a current Firearms licence as required under the Firearms Act 1996.

Microchipping exemptions for some hunting dogs

The Minister for Local Government has approved amendments to the Dog Control Order 2011 so that there are two categories of hunting dogs that are exempt from having to be microchipped. The categories are:1. hunting dogs that are born up to a prescribed date and are tattooed by an approved organisation with a tattoo, that identifies the dog as being part of that organisation; and

2. hunting dogs that are born after a prescribed date, are less than 12 months old, and have been tattooed by an approved organisation with a tattoo that identifies the dog as being part of that organisation.This means that category one hunting dogs would never have to be microchipped and category two hunting dogs would have to be microchipped once they reach 12 months of age. Eventually, as category one hunting dogs age and die, all hunting dogs would be microchipped once they reach 12 months of age. Currently there are two organisations approved to tattoo hunting dogs for the exemption, the North West Hound Owners Association and the Tasmanian Field and Game Association.At the time of writing this article, the Amending Order had not been drafted. For updated details on this exemption, and the prescribed dates, please contact the Division of Local Government, Security and Emergency Management on 6232 7022 or [email protected].

Taking and Trading in Wildlife and Wildlife Products

The taking and trading in wildlife and wildlife products is regulated by the Nature Conservation Act 2002 and the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.

Commercial Wallaby (Bennett’s Wallaby and Tasmanian Pademelon [Rufous Wallaby]) Hunting Licences

A Commercial Wallaby Hunters Licence authorises the holder to do the following:(a) take wallaby during the open season specified in the licence; and(b) sell the skins of any wallaby taken by the holder of the licence; and(c) sell the meat of any wallaby taken by the holder of the licence to the operator of a game meat processing facility, or pet food works, licensed under the Meat Hygiene Act 1985.

Information

39

Sale of Skins:

Skins may only be sold to a person who holds a current Fauna Dealer’s Skins Licence. Royalty payments on skins or fur are required to be paid by the holder of a Fauna Dealer’s Skins Licence.

Sale of Meat for pet food or human consumption:

Prior to a Commercial Wallaby Hunters Licence being issued that would allow the sale of meat, a hunter must undertake a course of training. The Australian Standard for Hygienic Production of Wild Game Meat for Human Consumption requires a person who harvests game animals to be approved by the controlling authority and have an approved qualification. The Certificate II in Meat Processing (Game Meat Hunters and Shooters) fulfils the training requirements of the Standard. It should be noted that in Tasmania, only game harvesters accredited through this course may supply carcases of game to licensed game meat processing works (either for pet food or for meat for human consumption).For further information about this course please contact the Tasmanian Skills Institute 03 6233 8695. For further information in relation to the requirements of the Meat Hygiene Act 1985, please contact 03 6336 5333.Commercial Wallaby Hunting licences authorise the licence holder to sell the products of wildlife that result from a landowner or land manager’s authorised culling of wallaby and should not be confused with the activities of commercial contract hunters. Commercial contract shooters offer their skill as a shooter in return for payment.

Landowner/Manager Responsibilities

Prior to allowing a game meat harvester to spotlight shoot wallabies on their property, a landowner or land manager must ensure that the property on which the shooting is to take place is covered by a current Crop Protection

Permit that authorises the spotlight shooting of wallaby. A Commercial Wallaby Hunters licence only authorises spotlight shooting and sale of wallaby products when a current Crop Protection Permit is in place for the property on which they are shooting.

Commercial Game Meat Harvesters Responsibilities

Game Meat Harvesters must ensure that their licence is current. Wallaby seasons run for twelve months, starting and ending in February of each year and season dates vary slightly each year.Before accessing properties for commercial spotlight shooting, please ensure that the property you are accessing has a current Crop Protection Permit that authorises the spotlight shooting of wallaby.It is a condition of a Commercial Wallaby Hunters Licence that game harvesters must provide returns of their take. They must also comply with Animal Welfare standards including the humane destruction of any pouch young. They are required to carry their licence while shooting and it must be produced upon request by an Authorised Officer. Conditions on licences may change as a result of changes to the law, government policy, management practices or agreements.A licensed game meat harvester wishing to sell meat products, must be aware that they can sell carcases only to game meat processing works that are currently licensed (either for pet food or for meat for human consumption) under the Meat Hygiene Act 1985.

Recreational hunters selling antlers

The sale of antlers (products of partly protected wildlife) taken under a game licence requires a permit under Regulation 37(4) of the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010. These permits are available by contacting the Wildlife Management Branch Reception on 03 6233 6556.

Information

40

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DEER

LYNCH, Phillip Manton (George Town)

Fail to produce a permit upon demand to an Authorised Officer.Take partly protected wildlife (2 Antlerless Fallow deer) with firearm less than 6mm in calibre, no permit.Possess the products of wildlife (2 Antlerless Fallow deer) taken contrary to the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.Fail to comply with the conditions of a permit, fail to return to landowner unused tags.Fined $1,800.00, plus court costs.MEIKLE, Rex Allan (George Town)

Fail to produce a permit upon demand to an Authorised Officer.Take partly protected wildlife (2 Antlerless Fallow deer) with firearm less than 6mm in calibre, no permit.Possess the products of wildlife (2 Antlerless Fallow deer) taken contrary to the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.Fail to affix a prescribed tag to an Antlerless Fallow deer.Fail to label all products parts of an Antlerless Fallow deer.Fail to comply with the conditions of a permit, fail to return to landowner unused tags.Fined $1,800.00, plus court costs, firearm forfeited.MCKINNELL, Jason Ashley (Nile)

Take partly protected wildlife (1 Antlerless Fallow deer), no permit.Take partly protected wildlife (3 Bennett’s and 6 Rufous Wallaby), no permit.Possess the products of wildlife (1 Antlerless Fallow deer) taken contrary to the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.Possess the products of wildlife (3 Bennett’s and 6 Rufous Wallaby) taken contrary to the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.Take partly protected wildlife (1 Antlerless Fallow deer) with firearm less than 6mm in calibre, no permit.Fined $2,000.00, plus court costs, firearms forfeited.

Offender File

SMITH, Luke Phillip (Wattle Grove)

Take partly protected wildlife (21 point adult Fallow deer), other than during an open season, no permit.To be of good behaviour for a period of 18 months and not commit any further offences under the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.Possess the products of wildlife (21 point adult Fallow deer) taken contrary to the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.Fined $750.00, plus court costs, court ordered return of firearm to owner.UPTON, James Robert (Rokeby)

Take partly protected wildlife (2 Antlerless Fallow deer), no permit.Possess the products of wildlife (2 Antlerless Fallow deer) taken contrary to the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.Use a light for the purposes of taking wildlife, no permit.Take partly protected wildlife (2 Antlerless Fallow deer) with firearm less than 6mm in calibre, no permit.Fined $800.00, plus court costs.WEBB, Brad Allen (Sorell)

Take partly protected wildlife (2 Antlerless Fallow deer), no permit.Possess the products of wildlife (2 Antlerless Fallow deer) taken contrary to the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.Fined $600.00, plus court costs, firearm forfeited.HARRISON, Stephen David (Bairnsdale VIC)

Take partly protected wildlife (1 Adult Male Fallow deer), other than during an open season, no permit.Cause to be removed from the State the products of partly protected wildlife (4 Adult Male Fallow deer antlers), no permit.Fined $1,200.00, plus court costs, firearm forfeited.

MUTTONBIRDS

BERRY Anthony Leigh (Rokeby)

Take a form of wildlife (199 juvenile muttonbirds) on reserved land, Cape Deslacs Nature Reserve, no authority. Possess the products of wildlife (199 juvenile muttonbirds) taken from reserved land Cape

42

Offender File

DWYER, Brett John (Seven Mile Beach)

Take partly protected wildlife (1 Bennetts Wallaby), no permit.Possess the products of wildlife (1 Bennetts Wallaby) taken contrary to the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.Use a light for the purposes of taking wildlife, no permit.Fined $250.00, plus court costs. Firearm forfeited.

FIREARMS OFFENCES

LONGSTAFF, Andrew David (Mayfield)

Possess a loaded firearm in a vehicle in a public place.Fail to comply with the safe transport of firearms.Possess a light for the purposes of taking wildlife, no permit.Fined $900.00, plus court costs. Court ordered return of firearm.MERRIMAN, Matthew (Waverley)

Possess a loaded firearm in a vehicle in a public place.Fail to comply with the safe transport of firearms.Fined $700.00, plus court costs. Court ordered return of firearm.PINNER, Murray Pinner (Waverley)

Possess a loaded firearm in a vehicle in a public place.Possess a silencer.Fail to comply with the safe transport of firearms.Fined $500.00, plus court costs. Court ordered return of firearm.SMITH, Brian William (Relbia)

Fail to comply with the safe transport of firearms.Operate a spotlight from a vehicle on a public street.To be of good behaviour for a period of 2 years and not commit any further offences under the Firearms Act 1996. Court ordered return of firearm.

Deslacs Nature Reserve, no authority. Interfere with breeding place of wildlife on reserved land.Fined $500.00, plus court costs.BERRYMAN Joshua Paul (Roseberry)

Take a form of wildlife (34 juvenile muttonbirds) on reserved land Ocean Beach Conservation Area, no authority. Possess the products of wildlife (34 juvenile muttonbirds) taken from reserved land Ocean Beach Conservation Area, no authority. Interfere with breeding place of wildlife on reserved land.Fined $1,500.00, plus court costs.NEASEY, Timothy James (Burnie)

Take a form of wildlife (34 juvenile muttonbirds) on reserved land Ocean Beach Conservation Area, no authority. Possess the products of wildlife (34 juvenile muttonbirds) taken from reserved land Ocean Beach Conservation Area, no authority. Interfere with breeding place of wildlife on reserved land.Fined $1,500.00, plus court costs.Possess a loaded firearm in a vehicle in a public place.Fail to comply with the safe transport of firearms.To be of good behaviour for a period of 18 months and not commit any further offences under the Firearms Act 1996.PEPPER, Adrian Gregory (Runnymede)

Possess the products of wildlife (199 juvenile muttonbirds) taken from reserved land Cape Deslacs Nature Reserve, no authority. Fined $250.00, plus court costs.RAINBIRD, Bradley John (New Norfolk)

Take a form of wildlife (18 juvenile muttonbirds) on reserved land, Cape Deslacs Nature Reserve, no authority. Possess the products of wildlife (18 juvenile muttonbirds) taken from reserved land Cape Deslacs Nature Reserve, no authority. Fined $1,000.00, plus court costs.

WALLABY

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Landowners with a conservation covenant under the Nature Conservation Act 2002 are now also permitted to control stray and feral cats. Cat control can include trapping and destruction of stray and feral cats. The destruction of any cats must be completed in a humane manner and the remains disposed of appropriately. Cats that are trapped may be transferred to an identified Cat Management Facility or returned to owners (if they can be identified).The Invasive Species Branch will be continuing into 2013 a community education program about the new legislation. The Invasive Species Branch will produce a Management Strategy for Feral Cats in Tasmania following consultation with stakeholders and the community.

Fox Eradication Program

The Fox Eradication Program is continuing the statewide fox baiting program that is targeting areas of core fox habitat in Tasmania. Foxes are classified as vermin under the Vermin Control Act 2000 and may be hunted at any time on Crown Land, State Forest and on private land with the permission of the landowner. Keep an eye out and know how to identify foxes and their sign.

How you can help

Report suspicious animals to 1300 369 688.Further information on the Fox Eradication Program, Cat Management Act 2009, weed management and invasive species in Tasmania visit www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/invasivespecies.

Features

Invasive Species Branch Update

In response to the significant threat posed by invasive species, Tasmania’s Invasive Species Branch (ISB) was formed on 1 July 2012 within the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) to take the lead in managing Tasmania’s response to specific invasive species. This includes terrestrial vertebrate animals (such as the European red fox, the European rabbit, and feral cats, pigs and goats) and declared weeds (such as serrated tussock, Chilean needle grass, gorse and boneseed).In simple terms, the ISB has three main functions:1. Lead the response to new and emerging invasive species threats; 2. Provide support for the management of established invasive species; and,3. Develop community capacity to respond to invasive species threats.Included in ISB’s responsibilities are supporting the enactment of the Cat Management Act 2009 and managing the Fox Eradication Program.

New Cat Management Laws

Tasmania’s Cat Management Act 2009 came into effect on 1 July 2012 along with the formation of the Invasive Species Branch. The Act promotes responsible pet ownership through microchipping and desexing of cats, and provides a statutory right for the control of cats in certain areas including rural and remote areas. All cat breeders now need to be registered and, in most cases, cats can no longer be sold unless they have been microchipped and desexed. Under the Act, feral and stray cats can now be controlled by land owners and managers (and anyone working on their behalf) on rural land where primary production involving livestock is being carried out. Cats can now also be controlled in remote areas, which is defined as any land more than 1km from a residence.

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Features

Wildlife Management in a National Park

Maria Island has a rich cultural history having been visited and used in pre-European times by the local Aboriginal Tyreddeme clan of the Oyster Bay Tribe. The island was subsequently used as a convict probation station during the era of European settlement with convicts being sent to the island to be reformed through work, education and religious instruction. The island was later used as a farm before being declared a National Park in the early 1970’s. The Island has exceptional natural beauty packed into 150.5km2 and boasts some of the most scenic views of the East Coast of Tasmania from the peaks of Bishop and Clerk and Mt. Maria. As well as providing up close stunning views of geological sites know as Painted Cliffs and Fossil Cliffs. Maria Island also ensures that visitors will have several encounters with some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife species including the Forester kangaroo and the common wombat, as well as providing habitat for the now endangered species Forty-spotted pardalote, swift parrot and only very recently the Tasmanian Devil.Not surprisingly, a lot of effort and careful consideration has been required to actively balance the conservation objectives of the Island with visitor usage in the areas of camping, hiking, bike riding and

wildlife watching. Behind the scenes you may have observed departmental staff: cleaning campsite facilities, repairing track infrastructure, undertaking restorative work to buildings, fencing off erosion prone areas or providing reception and visitor support. One management activity that attracts attention each year is the Maria Island Macropod Cull. While to some people the need to cull native animals in a National Park seems contradictory, failing to manage macropod numbers runs the risk of degrading the conservation values of the island, compromising the welfare of the island’s kangaroos and wallabies populations, as well as other wildlife sharing the island. In the 1960’s, the Forester kangaroo was considered as being at a significant threat of extinction in Tasmania if no management actions were undertaken. As a result, animals were captured and released in various locations across the state. Locations of release included Maria Island. In addition, even though Maria Island had populations of Bennett’s wallaby and Tasmanian Pademelon it was decided to release additional animals of these species to bolster the population and genetics on the Island at the same time. When the grazing of livestock ceased on the Island in the early 1980’s the kangaroo and wallaby population experienced a significant increase.

Concerns were first raised in 1985 about the kangaroo and wallaby populations of Maria Island. At that time, large numbers of juvenile kangaroos were dying during late winter as a result of disease and malnutrition. The response of the Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) was to cull sick or distressed animals while still allowing the natural processes of population fluctuation to continue.

Forester kangaroos are robust on Maria Island. Photo courtesy Tourism Tasmania and Rick Eaves.

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This policy, while addressing animal welfare concerns, did not address concerns about the continuing impact of over-grazing by wallabies and kangaroos on the environment of Maria Island. These concerns involved the degradation of native forest and woodland communities as well as the related problems of erosion and weed control in the historic area around Darlington.A regular culling program to reduce macropod populations to levels that did not cause significant damage to the vegetation of the island was considered to be the only viable option.Systematic control of macropod populations on Maria Island was commenced by PWS during July-August 1994 and involved an initial major cull of approximately 6,000 macropods during 1994 and 1995 followed by smaller culls every few years thereafter.Records indicate the kangaroo and wallaby population on Maria Island has the potential to recover from culling at a rate of over 25% per annum. On this basis, the macropod populations would be expected to fully recover from a 50% reduction in numbers within 3 years. By comparison, a 25% reduction would require only 1 year for full recovery.As a result, in recent years, there has been a need to remove 700 macropods per year to maintain a kangaroo and wallaby population on the island at a level that reduces stress on animals and their environment.Culled animals have been collected and examined for biological information. This information has shown that during most years, other than years of extreme drought, kangaroo and wallaby populations are in moderate to good condition and not showing signs of starvation or disease.It is significant that a recent review of macropod management on Maria Island by independent ecologists, recommended spotlight shooting as the most humane and effective method of managing the population to prevent future suffering and damage to the island’s biodiversity.

Features

This review found that alternative ways of managing this problem, such as relocating the animals and surgical sterilisation of male kangaroos presented a range of concerns. These included significant animal welfare concerns due to accidental injury, adverse reactions to the anaesthetic and capture myopathy as macropods when captured and handled, are particularly prone to stress resulting in death.A long-term and regular culling program to maintain macropod populations at levels that do not cause significant damage to the vegetation of the island is considered to be the most practical, cost effective option.

Devils Released into the Wild on Maria Island

After three years of careful planning and preparation under the Maria Island Translocation Project, the first release of 15 healthy devils took place in November 2012. The devils stepped free into the wild for the first time – amidst the safe haven of Maria Island National Park – protected from the lethal Devil Facial Tumour Disease.

Recently released Tasmanian Devil on Maria Island.

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FeaturesThe hope is that these animals will prosper in the natural habitat of the island and establish a breeding population. This will strengthen the Insurance Population of Tasmanian devils, providing a source of animals for future reintroductions on the Tasmanian mainland and help ensure the species’ survival in the wild.The release marks a significant milestone for the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, being the first of several projects aimed at maintaining healthy devils in the wild. The 15 healthy Maria Island devils were selected out of over 500 individuals in the

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Insurance Population based on their genetic stock and behaviour, as well as their age, sex and breeding status. The Insurance Population is coordinated by the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) and the animals are housed in over 20 participating zoos and wildlife parks throughout Australia. In the preceding months, the selected devils, which were all microchipped, underwent behavioural tests (to ensure their tendency to avoid humans) and were checked for pathogens and diseases. Five of the devils were also fitted with radio tracking collars so that the devil’s movement can be monitored remotely in the first few months after their

release. In the week prior to their introduction to the Island, they were given a special diet to eliminate internal parasites and on the morning of their release, they were also given final health and biosecurity checks. The establishment of the population on Maria Island will be the subject of ongoing monitoring by the Program and will be managed under a joint agreement with the Parks and Wildlife Service. Information regarding the devils’ distribution, diet and use of habitat, as well as individual health and breeding status will be collected via trapping, visual observations, remote cameras and radio-tracking. This will help inform decisions regarding subsequent devil releases on Maria Island, which are being planned for next year and will ensure that any unacceptable impacts of the introduction on the island’s natural values are adequately managed.

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Quality scoring is a quick and simple method of scoring the antlers of fallow deer bucks for the purpose of comparison.

Quality Score - Fallow Deer

Left Right Score

Length 68 cm 67 cm Average 67.5Span 50 cm 50Beam 11 cm 10.5 cm Average x 5 53.75Width without Points 12.5 cm 12 cm Average x 5 61.25Points 12 12 Total x 1.5 36

Total x 0.825 221.51

Quality Scoring Fallow Deer

1

23

4

51. Length - Starting point.

2. Length.3. Span.4. Beam.5. Palm

width without points.

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CREAMY VENISON GOULASH

1 kg venison (shoulder & neck pieces 3cm chunks)1 tablespoon olive oil2 onions, diced2 red capsicums, cut into strips1 tablespoon paprika powder1 tablespoon mixed spicesalt & pepper to taste3 chopped tomatoes (or 400grams can chopped tomatoes)300mls jar tomato paste1 tablespoon white vinegar 2 – 3 cups beef stock400mls sour cream1 packet tagliatelle pastaBrown venison in olive oil in a frypan, then place in casserole pot. Add onion to pan and fry until soft. Add capsicum and continue frying until slightly soft. Add paprika powder, mixed spice and salt / pepper, and fry together for 1 – 2 minutes. Put all items from frypan into casserole pot. Put tomatoes, tomato paste and vinegar into casserole pot, and mix all ingredients. Add 1 – 2 cups of beef stock to create a fairly wet mixture. Place in the oven at 130 – 150°C for 5 – 6 hours, or until venison is tender. Top up with remaining stock as required, and stir every 2 hours or so.When ready to serve, mix sour cream and cooked tagliatelle through thoroughly.

BOBOTIE (pronounced bob – o – tee)1 thick slice of crustless bread375mls milk25mls oil10gms butter2 onions, sliced2 cloves garlic, crushed1½ tablespoons curry powder1 teaspoon salt1 tablespoon chutney (Mrs Balls)1 tablespoon smooth apricot jam1 tablespoon Worcester sauce1 teaspoon turmeric1½ tablespoons brown vinegar1kg raw mince (venison was used in this instance)100grams sultanas3 eggsPinch each salt and turmericBay leavesSoak bread in milk. Heat oil and butter in a large pan and fry the onion and garlic until soft. Add curry, salt, chutney, jam, Worcester sauce, turmeric and vinegar and mix well. Drain and mash bread and reserve milk. Add bread to pan together with mince and sultanas. Cook over low heat, stirring, and when meat loses its pinkness, remove from heat. Add 1 beaten egg, mix well, then spoon mixture into a greased casserole dish levelling the surface.Beat remaining two eggs with reserved milk (approx. 300mls) and the salt and turmeric. Pour over meat mixture and place some bay leaves on top. Stand dish in a larger pan of water and bake, uncovered, at 180°C for 1 hour or until set.

Features

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CONTACTS

Launceston OfficeAnnex, Mt Pleasant, 165 Westbury Road, PROSPECT

Mailing Details:Wildlife Management BranchPO Box 46, KINGS MEADOWS, 7249Fax Number: 03 6336 5311

David Leguis: 03 6336 5342 (W)

0428 535 258 (M) [email protected]

Kate Gill: 03 6336 5196 (W)


Jonathan Knox - BAMP 03 6336 5110 (W)


New Town OfficeMailing Details: Wildlife Management Branch13 St Johns Avenue, NEW TOWN, 7008Fax Number: 03 6228 5123

John North: 03 6233 3039 (W)


Matt Byrne: 03 6233 6473 (W)


Hobart OfficeMailing and fax details above

Robbie Gaffney - BAMP 0418 370 598 (M) [email protected]

Please note, the detailed WMB staff are field based and at times unable to answer the phone due to other work commitments. You are encouraged to contact the WMB general reception number for urgent assistance.

Wildlife Management BranchHead Office

Third Floor, 134 Macquarie Street, Hobart

Mailing Details: PO Box 44, HOBART, 7001 Email: [email protected]: 03 6233 6556 Crop Protection Permits: 03 6233 2540 Fax number: 03 6233 3477Websites: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/wmb www.gamelicencesdpipwe.tas.gov.au

New Town Office – details above Landline for Southern based Rangers 03 6233 2610

Glenn Atkinson 0418 127 187 (M) [email protected]

Justin Febey 0407 567 901 (M) [email protected]

Mike Greenwood 0418 123 772 (M) [email protected] Sargison 0418 539 171 (M) [email protected]

Game Management Unit - Contact Details

Wildlife Ranger Contact List

Launceston Office – details above

Landline for Northern based Rangers

03 6336 5307

Matt Jones 0407 807 330 (M) [email protected] Woodruff 0438 033 096 (M) [email protected]

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game tracks 2013

Documents

game sideplate

purpose of game tracks

federal wildlife management

state of tasmania

hunting of wildlife

distributiongame tracks

environment dpipwe

tasmanian game licence