Bart Irwin column: Hunting reserves off limits for mozzie surveillance

Two popular hunting reserves will be off-limits for specific days as NT Health conducts surveillance to combat deadly viruses. Here’s what you need to know.

the Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve and Howard Springs Hunting Reserve will be closed for hunting on September 6, October 5, November 3 and December 1 between 11am and 3pm. AFP PHOTO / Courtesy of Shinji KASAI" -

Hunters are well aware of the clouds of mozzies that inhabit Howard Swamp and the Shoal Bay hunting reserves.

These parasites can transmit diseases that are deadly as well as debilitating to humans.

These diseases include Ross River virus, Murray Valley encephalitis, Kunjin Virus, Japanese encephalitis among others.

The most common is Ross River virus which affects about 250 Territorians a year.

For this reason, the Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve and Howard Springs Hunting Reserve will be closed for hunting on September 6, October 5, November 3 and December 1 between 11am and 3pm.

Access to the grounds will not be permitted during these times.

This includes hunters of feral pigs, waterfowl and magpie geese.

The reason for the closure is so that NT Health staff can safely conduct aerial and on ground mosquito surveillance.

If you see helicopters operating in the area, stop all activities and leave the reserve immediately.

The closure is formal and is associated with the proposed housing developments in the area.

There will be signage put up at each reserve to notify visitors about the planned closures.

Information for the public will also be provided through social media and media, including Mix FM Darwin and the NT News.

More closure dates may be added following significant rainfall, as these conditions cause an increase in mosquito numbers.

NT Health Medical Entomology play an important role in conducting mosquito surveillance and control to protect the NT community from disease carrying mosquitoes.

A mosquito mitigation strategy will be developed from surveillance findings.

Thus hopefully improving the hunting experience in future, so I implore hunters to co-operate with this activity.

If you’re thinking about what to do for Dad this morning on Fathers’ Day, you shouldn’t go past taking him for a practice shot at NT Field and Game from 9am till noon.

For just $2 you could enter him in the fun little cash divide that starts at 10am. All welcome

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

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