Bart Irwin column: ‘Bureaucracy journey’ putting strain on the hunting industry

Removing some of the bureaucracy around permits for hunting will allow more people to enjoy part of the Territory lifestyle without paying overs for the pleasure, writes Bart Irwin.

A great part of the Territory lifestyle is being able to enjoy hunting waterfowl. Picture: BART IRWIN

Recently I was contacted by a fellow member living on Groote Eylandt that had a call from the Firearms Registry about his permit to shoot over Crown Land expiring which was his “genuine reason” to hold a Shooter’s Licence.

He was given seven days to renew this permit that has only a five-year lifespan compared to the 10 years of Shooter’s Licence duration.

The only offices that issue Crown Land permits are in Cavanagh St Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs.

He could’ve downloaded a pdf and filled that in, but his photo identification had to be sighted and signed by a JP.

Sadly, he wasn’t informed his Waterfowl Hunting Permit would have sufficed as it was still current.

\The Waterfowl Hunting Season is a highlight of life in the Territory for Bart Irwin. Picture: SUPPLIED

He faced getting a letter from NT Field and Game President or Secretary on a weekend they were busy with a big clay target event, paying $2000 for a return flight to Darwin or surrendering his firearms.

Then something similar happened to me.

My Crown Land permit was expiring at the five-year mark of my Shooter’s Licence and I wanted to get a Permit to Purchase.

I was told to renew the Crown Land Permit, without ever asking if I had a Waterfowl Hunting permit.

I had to drive the 40km “Bureaucracy Journey” from Palmerston Police Station to Cavanagh St and back.

Surely this Crown Land permit could be put online for immediate application and issue, or put the office that issues them at Goyder House in Palmerston.

May I suggest to Eva Lawler to make the Crown Land permit 10 years duration to match the Shooter’s Licence, put the office in Palmerston to issue them and/or allow them to be issued online.

Or even give multi-options of one, three, five and 10 year Shooter’s Licences.

This would allow our itinerant workforce, especially ADF members to enjoy part of the Territory lifestyle without paying overs for the pleasure.

The NT Field and Game hold clay target practice at the Mickett Creek Shooting Complex range from 4pm every Friday and Sunday from 9am till noon. All are welcome to join in the fun.

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