Hunters need to keep cleaning up after themselves

IT’S really not that hard to clean up after yourself when you go hunting, writes BART IRWIN

Bart Irwin says hunters need to keep cleaning up after themselves. Picture: NT NEWS

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The elephant in the room regarding waterfowl hunting was called out a couple of years ago when video footage was shared on Facebook of littering and incorrect disposal of magpie geese carcasses at Lambell’s Lagoon.

Hunters, rangers and the general public were shocked and outraged by the disgusting display.

Darwin Goose Hunterz and NT Field and Game members were quick to react and clean the area.

So too, were the NT Parks and Wildlife rangers from Fogg Dam who provided a dozen drums to be used as rubbish bins.

It appears this event was the catalyst for hunters waking up to the fact that we are often collectively judged on the behaviour of the few pigs among us.

NT Field and Game has been removing litter from the reserves since it was born nearly 20 years ago.

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Each year dozens of members would Emu Bob at Harrison Dam and Lambell’s Lagoon collecting rubbish from under trees.

Then five years ago Field and Game was given permission to install bins at Harrison Dam.

We are pleased to announce that our rubbish run this year found the bins well used and almost nothing on the ground.

Four trailer loads of rubbish were gratefully accepted at the Litchfield Council collection points, so it appears the goose hunters are complying by not dropping their spent shells, drink containers and scattering the processed carcasses responsibly away from the parking areas so the hawks can strip the bones clean.

But it is time for the target shooters who use vacant land along Gunn Point Rd to take the same responsibility.

NT Field and Game members, including Member for Nelson Gerard Maley responded to another social media video showing tonnes of whitegoods used as targets strewn in the bush.

Nine trailer loads of appliances, metal, glass and cans were recovered from just one unofficial range.

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These people need to be made aware if they take the fridge out there to shoot up, they should bring it back and deposit it at the Howard Springs transfer station or their local dump.

Better still join Field and Game or Sporting Shooters Association of Australia and safely shoot targets at a registered range.

Good luck to all the hunters lucky enough to go to the opening day this Wednesday. Remember to leave the swamp looking better than you found it.

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.

Join Field and Game, ntfieldandgame.com.au

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