Bart Irwin opinion: Private land hunting a great idea

I have not always seen eye-to-eye with the scientists involved in setting the NT Waterfowl Hunting Season, but I am in full agreeance with the additional four weeks of private land hunting that commences tomorrow, writes BART IRWIN

Bart Irwin says an additional four weeks of private land hunting is a great idea. Picture: CHE CHORLEY

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I have not always seen eye-to-eye with the scientists involved in setting the NT Waterfowl Hunting Season, but I am in full agreeance with the additional four weeks of private land hunting that commences tomorrow.

Dr Tim Clancy has shown a great deal of common sense by placating a small number among the farming community that believe hunters scare birds off swamps onto crops.

This initiative will put to bed this wild claim.

The 2017 season opened so late, October 27, that the farmers were unaware that we were not legally permitted to hunt.

But some still complained on October 3 that hunting had pushed geese on to farms.

I am always surprised that the geese at Lambell’s Lagoon will defy the safe option of flying east at dawn towards the sanctuary of Fogg Dam, but instead run the gauntlet of dozens of guns to dine on mangoes and melons on the farms to the west.

It will be good to see the results of this initiative as it has a five-year life cycle.

This will dovetail beautifully with a seven-goose bag limit that the Country Liberal Party announced in their hunting policy to maintain seven birds until 2023.

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I am completely confident that these additional four weeks of hunting is sustainable as the birds can only be hunted if they are on private property and there is only a slight chance unless the crops ripen early.

But at least the farmers and hunters have options.

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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