Leslie Massey
Hunting is a controversial topic in Australia, with about a million residents engaging in the hunting and shooting industry annually, despite the overall negative attitude towards the practice. The country's hunting landscape is vastly different from that of other countries, with varying state-level regulations and species classifications. In this context, the term feral is often used to describe deer species, which are not actually feral but introduced, invasive, or pests. With these complexities in mind, let's explore the animals that are commonly hunted in Australia and the regulations that govern these practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hunting requirements | A firearm licence is required to hunt in Australia. |
| Hunter's age | Children as young as 11 years of age can obtain a hunting permit. In Australian Capital Territory, individuals between the ages of 12 and 17 can hold a minor's firearms licence, allowing them to hunt under adult supervision. |
| Animals that can be hunted | Deer, ducks, quails, pheasants, partridges, peafowl, turkeys, rabbits, hares, foxes, wallabies, banteng, water buffaloes, camels, donkeys, feral horses, cattle, goats, pigs, dogs, kangaroos, blackbirds, dingo, feral dogs, feral cats, feral cattle, feral pigs, waterfowl, California quails, wild deer, Pacific black duck, grey teal, chestnut teal, Australian shelduck, pink-eared duck, maned duck, stubble quail, chital, fallow deer, rusa, European quail, hardhead, Australian wood duck, Australasian shoveller, hog deer, sambar deer |
| Hunting techniques | Spotlighting, ground shooting, using a fox whistle |
| Hunting regulations | Hunting regulations vary across different states and territories in Australia. For example, in Western Australia, only feral species may be hunted on private land with the landowner's permission and a valid firearms licence. In Queensland, some native species (with a permit) and all pest species may be hunted at any time of the year with the landowner's permission and a weapons licence. In Victoria, there are no restrictions on the hunting of pest or feral animals in state forests or on private lands as long as the hunter has permission from the landowner. |
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What You'll Learn
Hunting deer in Australia
Deer hunting in Australia is a popular pastime, with many species available as targets. However, hunting is a highly regulated activity, with varying rules in each state and territory. Before embarking on a hunting trip, it is essential to be aware of the relevant licences, permits, and local rules and regulations. Hunting on private land offers slightly more freedom, but state land is strictly regulated and enforced.
There are six species of deer that can be legally sports-hunted in Australia: fallow deer, red deer, sambar, chital, hog deer, and rusa deer. Of these, sambar deer are considered Australia's premier game animal and the most challenging for hunters. They are large animals, with stags reaching up to 220 kg in weight and 125 cm in height. Sambars are known for their intelligence and wariness, making them a formidable opponent for hunters. Their coats can vary from dull brown to light grey, with some individuals having darker coats. Their bellies are a straw-like colour, and their tails have long orange hairs. Sambars can usually be found along the Great Dividing Range in eastern Victoria and New South Wales, and they prefer to feed in the last hour before sundown.
Red deer, on the other hand, are native to Scotland and were introduced to Australia in the mid-19th century. They are found in Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales. Red deer have well-developed senses of smell and hearing, so hunters must approach quietly and into the wind. Long shots are often required when hunting red deer, especially in open country, and a telescopic sight is essential.
Fallow deer are another species commonly hunted in Australia. They prefer areas with bracken fern and wattle and are most active early in the morning and late in the evening along the edge of the bush. April is the optimum time to hunt fallow deer as the bucks are easier to find due to their mating call, but stealth is crucial as does tend to stay close to their bucks and can warn them of approaching hunters.
In Queensland, all pest species, including red, chital, fallow, and rusa deer, can be hunted year-round with the landowner's permission and a weapons licence. South Australia allows the hunting of all introduced species, including deer, at any time of the year. Tasmania requires a game licence to hunt deer, and Victoria permits the hunting of hog, red, sambar, and fallow deer. Western Australia restricts hunting to feral species, which does not include deer, and the Northern Territory allows the hunting of feral animals, including sambar, rusa, and chital deer, on private land with the landowner's permission and a valid firearms licence.
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Hunting wallabies in Tasmania
Hunting is a divisive topic in Australia, with about a million residents engaging in the hunting and shooting industry annually, but an overall negative attitude towards the practice. This has led to stronger restrictions in many areas, with wildly varying state-level regulations. For example, Western Australia restricts hunters to feral species only, and only on private land. In contrast, the Northern Territory allows almost free-range hunting on its wide range of feral species.
Tasmania, an island off mainland Australia, is home to the famous Tasmanian Devil and is considered one of the best places to live globally. It is also a popular destination for hunting wallabies, with two types of wallabies that can be hunted with a valid licence: the Rufous Wallaby (Tasmanian Pademelon) and the Bennett's Wallaby. The Tasmanian Pademelon is the sole species of pademelon found in Tasmania, formerly found throughout southeastern Australia. It has a compact body with short, rounded ears and thick fur, with greyish fur over most of its body and yellowish to reddish underparts. Males can reach up to 6.5 kilograms in weight and 70-120 centimetres in length, including a 30-45 centimetre tail.
The Bennett's Wallaby, also known as the red-necked wallaby on mainland Australia, is one of Tasmania's most commonly seen native animals. Males can weigh more than 20 kilograms and stand up to 1.5 metres tall. They can be distinguished from the pademelon and kangaroo by their black nose and paws and white stripe on the upper lip.
Wallaby hunting in Tasmania is a common game and a great source of meat for the hunter. It also boosts the local economy, with the government collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars from hunters in licence fees. The standard licence fee for wallaby hunting was $32.40 in 2020, and there is no bag limit on how many wallabies hunters can take. Hunting methods include walking through the scrub with a shotgun during the day or using hunting dogs to flush them out. At night, hunting with the aid of a spotlight is permitted on private land under the Crop Protection Act, provided that the landowner has the appropriate permit.
For those interested in spotting wallabies rather than hunting them, Bruny Island, particularly Adventure Bay, is a popular destination to see the unique white wallaby, a genetic variation of the Bennett's Wallaby. These wallabies have thrived due to a lack of predators, and their sun-sensitive albinism makes them incredibly cute with their snow-white fur, pink eyes, nose, and claws.
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Hunting native species
Hunting is a controversial topic in Australia, with about a million residents participating in the hunting and shooting industry each year. However, there is a negative attitude towards hunting due to events like the Port Arthur Massacre and the growth of environmentalism. This has led to stronger restrictions on hunting in many areas.
The rules around hunting in Australia can be complex and vary between states and territories. While some native species are protected in Australia and cannot be hunted without permits, some states do allow hunting of native species with a game license. For example, wallabies are protected in almost every state except Tasmania, where they can be legally hunted with a game license.
In Queensland, some native species can be hunted with a permit, and pest species can be hunted at any time with the landowner's permission and a weapons license. Victoria allows the hunting of many native species, including pheasants, partridges, and several types of ducks.
The Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (SSAA) provides information on commonly hunted species and the appropriate cartridges and methods to use when hunting them. For example, when hunting rabbits or hares, most hunters suggest a minimum calibre cartridge of .22 rimfire for rifle hunting, effective up to a range of 100m. For larger species, cartridges such as the .270 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield are commonly used.
It is important to note that hunters should be aware of all current licensing and regulations that they need to abide by, as these can vary significantly between states.
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Hunting invasive species
Hunting is a controversial topic in Australia, with about a million residents engaging in the hunting and shooting industry each year. However, there is an overall negative attitude towards the practice, leading to stronger restrictions in many areas. Hunting rules are also complex and vary between states, with different classifications of animals and different licences required.
In this context, invasive species are often classified as feral, introduced, or pests. Introduced species are those that have been brought to Australia by people, often European settlers. Feral species are those that live in the wild but are descended from domesticated species. Some examples of invasive species in Australia include rabbits, hares, cats, dogs, foxes, goats, pigs, donkeys, horses, feral cattle, water buffaloes, and camels. These species are considered pests and can often be hunted on private land with the landowner's permission and a valid firearms licence.
Rabbits, in particular, are considered a highly invasive pest in Australia, and their hunting is encouraged across the country. Foxes are also commonly hunted, although this requires additional techniques such as using a fox whistle and spotlighting to locate the animal. Other invasive species that are commonly hunted in Australia include deer, which are considered a pest in some states and a game species in others.
It is important to note that hunting invasive species should be done responsibly and in compliance with all relevant regulations and licensing requirements. Hunters should also ensure they have the appropriate equipment and are skilled at shooting humanely to minimise animal suffering.
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Hunting requirements and regulations
In terms of specific state regulations, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) requires individuals to have a valid firearms licence to hunt, with minors between 12 and 17 years old being able to obtain a minor's firearms licence and hunt under adult supervision. Hunting in the ACT is restricted to pest animals, and a permit is not required. New South Wales (NSW) allows the hunting of deer, ducks, California quails, partridges, pheasants, peafowl, and turkeys. Hunters in NSW must hold a valid hunting licence if hunting on public land or if hunting native or non-indigenous game birds on private land.
Queensland does not have any species classified as game that can be taken during an open season, but many animals are declared as pests and can be hunted at any time with the landowner's permission. South Australia allows the hunting of game species during open season, including stubble quail, Pacific black duck, grey teal, chestnut teal, Australian shelduck, pink-eared duck, and maned duck. Some native species and all introduced species, such as camels, deer, starlings, and European blackbirds, can be hunted at any time.
Tasmania requires a game licence to hunt, and pests and feral creatures can be hunted on private, state, and crown land. Deer, wild duck, brown quail, and pheasant are classified as game species in Tasmania. Minors between 16 and 18 years old can obtain a hunting permit. The Northern Territory freely allows the hunting of feral animals on private land with the landowner's permission and a valid firearms licence. However, a permit is required for feral pigs and waterfowl, which can only be hunted during the declared open season.
It is important to note that Aboriginal people in Australia are exempt from general conservation restrictions as long as they hunt only for food, ceremonial, or religious purposes, according to the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975.
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Frequently asked questions
The animals that are hunted in Australia vary by state. Some of the most commonly hunted animals in Australia include deer, rabbits, foxes, ducks, feral pigs, feral cats, and feral goats.
Many of the animals that are hunted in Australia are considered pests, including rabbits, foxes, feral pigs, feral cats, and feral goats. Other animals that are considered pests in certain states include dogs, hares, donkeys, horses, and feral cattle.
Yes, there are restrictions on hunting in Australia that vary by state. Some states only allow the hunting of feral species, while others have different views on which animals are considered game and which are considered pests. In general, a firearms license is required to hunt in Australia, and hunters must have the landowner's permission.
