Bow hunting ban appears imminent as ADA board member slams government for ignoring proper parliamentary process

The government lacks data to justify its plans to ban bow hunting, a long-time advocate says, accusing it of ignoring a report written during the Liberals’ term.

David Pope with his hunting gear at Williamstown. Picture: Matt Loxton

A bow hunting enthusiast has accused the state government of ignoring proper parliamentary process and says banning the practice in South Australia would be “unjustified”.

The government is considering a ban on bow hunting because they say it is incompatible with animal welfare standards and is out of step with community expectations.

South Australia and Victoria are the only remaining Australian states that freely allow bow hunting.

The looming ban has angered hunters who use bows and arrows to hunt game - particularly feral deer - on private properties throughout the state.

Australian Deer Association board member David Pope has used bows to hunt for more than four decades and has always fought for the survival of the practice in South Australia.

He said the latest push for a ban was in contrary to the recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry report handed down in November.

“It was a proper process that was carried out and it’s being ignored because it was during the reign of the Liberal Government,” he said.

“They are basing this decision on unfounded, unjustified and unsupported reasoning, without any quantifiable data.”

In the parliamentary inquiry report, the Social Development Committee formed the view that “wholesale legislative change is not the way to achieve improvements”.

Instead, 12 recommendations were made to improve accountability for those who engage in the practice.

Deputy Premier and Climate, Environment and Science Minister Susan Close said the material supplied to the committee was useful in understanding the impact on animal welfare.

“Bow hunting is incompatible with animal welfare standards and is out of step with community expectations. It is opposed by animal welfare groups including the RSPCA,” she said.

“It’s now time to bring SA into line with the majority of states.”

She said the department will undertake thorough consultation, which will include hunters, to determine what options are available.

Acting Premier Susan Close. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Mr Pope was resigned to the fact they had more than likely lost the battle.

“To be brutally honest I think they have already made the decision,” he said.

“They say they are delivering on an election promise, but I can’t find any election commitment on the public record.”

Ms Close said it was a commitment made before the 2018 election and reaffirmed in a letter to the Animal Justice Party in February 2022.

Mr Pope said those who were doing the right thing were being punished for those who don’t.

“If a person commits a criminal act there is a Crimes Act in place to protect us from that, you don’t need to attack us hunters who are adhering to current legislation,” he said.

“They’re judging the majority based on a minority.”

The RSPCA was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Bow hunting ban appears imminent as ADA board member slams government for ignoring proper parliamentary process