Hunting looks to be politicised forever now: Bart Irwin

THE final election result is in and the obvious outcome is shooting and hunting is now politicised, probably forever, writes BART IRWIN

Bart Irwin reckons hunting is now more politicised than ever, given the new election result. Picture: CHE CHORLEY

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The final election result is in and the obvious outcome is shooting and hunting is now politicised, probably forever.

In late 2019 many hunting and shooting groups funded and distributed the I HUNT, I SHOOT, I VOTE stickers.

This was a revamp of a sticker campaign Field and Game Australia had run in the late 2000s.

It was time to let all parties know hunters and shooters are out there, just like fishermen did in the late 1990s with the I FISH, I VOTE campaign.

The fishing bumper sticker was everywhere and the I HUNT, I SHOOT, I VOTE sticker took off just as successfully with the 7000-print run now nearly exhausted.

Since the first ones were seen there was a softening of rhetoric towards hunting and shooting by the Government.

The two-day training program to get a Shooter’s Licence was pigeonholed.

Hopefully gone for good.

With a lot of work by the NT Firearms Council the Savage A22R ban was revoked and made legal again.

The Country Liberal Party created the first hunting policy ever for the NT and Minister Lawler announced she was looking for a new hunting reserve in a “Me Too” response.

The ALP would be wise to implement the CLP hunting policy.

That is what hunters of the NT expected in the next term.

The Territory has always attracted hunters and shooters.

It is time we showed the parliament we are worthy of the same attention fishers receive given our 20,000 plus participants in the NT.

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If you consider Victoria has over 180 state game reserves in an area the size of a postage stamp compared to the NT and we have four, it is not hard to see we are being dudded.

If you note that fishermen got $50m pledged to be spent on infrastructure in the last term of government, you can see that hunters and shooters have been overlooked for too long.

It is now time to do another print run and remind government we aren’t going away, but in fact activating.

Get your sticker and display it on your rear bumper.

That is where it does its best work.

The Gunner Government must become aware that fishing isn’t the only Territory lifestyle past time.

PS: Entry for the Million Dollar Pig competition closes tomorrow so get in quick to Coolalinga Guns and Ammo and register for your chance to win $20,000.

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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