native game bird management code of practice files/rga...hunting native game birds at your...

NATIVE GAME BIRD MANAGEMENT - CODE OF PRACTICE 1

Hunting is recognised as one of a number of tools used by rice growers in the sustainable management of native game birds. However, the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA) supports the use of hunting only where best practice is used and all relevant legislation and regulations are observed. The purpose of this document is to outline to rice growers the expected behaviours when hunting Native Game Birds.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries – Native Game Bird Management Program is responsible for licensing landholders and hunters to hunt native game birds. The Native Game Bird Management Team has issued a number of useful resources to help you understand your obligations, including the ‘Landholders Kit’, which can be found here: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/hunting/game-and-pests/native-game-birds

INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE

NATIVE GAME BIRD MANAGEMENT

CODE OF PRACTICE

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/hunting/game-and-pests/native-game-birds


This code of practice is a practical guide to achieving the standards of safety, compliance and welfare expected of rice growers when sustainably managing the impacts of native game birds on rice crops.

FIREARM SAFETY:The ten rules of firearm safety are as follows: • Treat every firearm as loaded; • Always point firearms in a safe direction; • Load a firearm only when ready to fire; • Identify your target beyond all doubt; • Check your firing zone; • Store firearms and ammunition safely; • Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms; • Never have loaded firearms in the car, home or camp; • Never fire at hard surfaces or water; and • Don’t climb fences or obstacles with loaded firearms

REQUIRED LICENCES:To control Native Game Birds at your landholding, two separate licences are required. These licences are issued through the NSW Department of Primary Industries – Native Game Bird Management Support Team.

1. Native Game Bird Management (Owner/Occupier) Licence – this licence enables licensed hunters to manage native game birds over agricultural crops at your landholding. This licence will stipulate a property quota for the individual species of native game birds that are impacting on your landholding. Native Game Bird Management Licences are issued for a 5 year period; however property quotas are revised and requested each year. Application for this licence can be made using the form found at the Native Game Bird Management Program webpage or by opting-in on your SunRice Rice Seed Order Form & Paddy Supply Offer. There is no fee for a Native Game Bird Management Licence.

2. NSW Game Hunting Licence and Waterfowl Identification Test (WIT) - any person who will be personally hunting native game birds at your landholding must also hold a NSW Game Hunting Licence and pass the Waterfowl Identification Test (WIT). This includes you as the landholder, members of your household, your employees or any external parties who enter your landholding for the purpose of hunting native game birds.

In addition, any person who will be personally hunting native game birds is required to comply with the following: • the NSW government requirements for firearm ownership and use, administered by the NSW Police Force Firearms Registry, found here: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/services/firearms; and • the NSW government requirements for animal welfare, administered by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, found here: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/content/agriculture/livestock/animal-welfare. All licensed parties must comply with the conditions of their issued licence. You as a landholder are responsible for not only ensuring your own compliance, but also ensuring the compliance of any party who hunts native game birds at your landholding.

HUNTER’S SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE:Hunters should have the ability to shoot with the skill required to kill the bird outright. This includes the ability to judge distance, wind direction and speed. A hunter must aim so that the animal will be hit in the head, neck or chest by the centre of the pattern. Knowledge of the performance of the shotgun and ammunition being used are also important. Hunters should ensure that the shooting distance and shot placement are consistent with the calibre or type of shot being used to ensure the sudden and painless death of the bird.

CODE OF PRACTICE

Firearm Safety:

Required Licences:

Hunter’s Skill And Knowledge:

http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/services/firearms

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/content/agriculture/livestock/animal-welfare


FIREARM SPECIFICATIONS:The appropriate shot size, load and choke are dependent on factors including distance, species types, wind and temperature. However 12, 16 or 20 gauge shotguns are recommended. Under NSW legislation, landholders and hunters are prohibited from using shotguns exceeding 12 gauge or two barrels. In addition, shotguns smaller than 20 gauge (e.g. 410 gauge) are inadequate to consistently achieve a humane kill and are not recommended.

USE OF DOGS IN HUNTING NATIVE GAME BIRDS:Hunters may use dogs to retrieve shot or wounded native game birds, provided this occurs in a humane manner. Dogs cannot be used to catch, injure or kill native game birds. Hunters with dogs must receive explicit permission from the landholder before bringing dogs onto the landholding.

DISPATCH OF WOUNDED NATIVE GAME BIRDS:Native game bird carcasses should not be left on any crop, dam or waterway. Wounded native game birds must be dispatched of as quickly and humanely as possible.

ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF MANAGING NATIVE GAME BIRDS:The RGA encourages rice growers to use non-lethal methods of native game bird control in the first instance. The hunting of native game birds should be an option of last resort. Alternative methods of duck control include flashing beacons, scare guns, and other scare tactics. The rice industry continues to investigate more effective and efficient non-lethal methods for controlling native game birds.

For assistance with Native Game Bird Management (Owner/Occupier) Licences, NSW Game Hunting Licences, sitting the WIT or property quota inquiries contact the Native Game Bird Support Team on 03 5874 2983 or [email protected].

For general information on NSW Game Hunting Licences contact the Game Licensing Unit customer service team on 02 6391 3750, [email protected] or visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/hunting

NSW Department of Primary Industries Game Licensing Unit.

FURTHER INFORMATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Firearm Specifications:

Use Of Dogs In Hunting Native Game Birds:

Dispatch Of Wounded Native Game Birds:

Alternative Methods Of Managing Native Game Birds:

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/hunting


The below list identifies the Native Game Bird species which may be hunted (subject to your annual native game bird property quota).1 All other waterfowl species are not permitted to be taken under the NSW DPI Native Game Bird Management Program. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) division of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage manages all other wildlife licensing related matters. Landholders are encouraged to call their local National Parks and Wildlife Service office to discuss other wildlife management issues.

1. Native Game Bird Images are the property of the NSW Department of Primary Industries - Game Licensing Unit.

Australian Shelduck or Mountains Duck (Tadorna tadornoides)

Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea)

APPENDICES - NATIVE GAME BIRDS

Australian Shelduck or Mountain Duck (Tadorna tadornoides)

Australian Wood Duck or Maned Duck (Chenonetta jubata)


Blue-winged Shoveler or Australasian Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis)





Grass Whistling Duck or Pumed Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna eytoni)

Grey Teal (Anas gracilis)


Hardhead Suck or White-eyed Duck (Aythya australis)

Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus)



Water Whistling Duck, Wandering Whistling Duck or Whistling or Wandering Tree Duck

(Dendrocygna arcuata)

Black Duck or Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)

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