ISSUE 19 - 2014

Game Tracks

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Wildlife Management Branch

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CONTACTS

Launceston OfficeMt Pleasant, 165 Westbury Road, PROSPECT

Mailing Details:Wildlife Management BranchPO Box 46, KINGS MEADOWS, 7249Fax Number: 03 6336 5311

David Leguis (Team Leader) 03 6777 2087 (W)0428 535 258 (M)

David.Leguis@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Kate Gill 03 6777 2084 (W) 0439 736 314 (M) Kate.Gill@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Jonathan Knox - BAMP 03 6777 2083 (W) 0417 754 590 (M) Jonathan.Knox@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

New Town OfficeMailing Details: Wildlife Management Branch13 St Johns Avenue, NEW TOWN, 7008Fax Number: 03 6278 7559

Matt Byrne: 03 6165 3251 (W) 0429 408 103 (M) Matt.Byrne@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

John North: 03 6165 3249 (W) 0427 685 218 (M) John.North@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Robbie Gaffney - BAMP 0418 370 598 (M) Robbie.Gaffney@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Please note, the detailed WMB staff are field based and at times unable to answer the phone due to other work commitments. You are encouraged to contact the WMB general reception number for urgent assistance.

Wildlife Management BranchMailing Details: GPO Box 44, HOBART, 7001 Email: wildlife.reception@dpipwe.tas.gov.auReception: 03 6165 4305 Permits: 03 6165 4330Game Licences 03 6165 4302 Fax number: 03 6233 3477Websites: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/wmb www.gamelicencesdpipwe.tas.gov.au

New Town Office – details above

Glenn Atkinson 0418 127 187 (M) Glen.Atkinson@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Mike Greenwood 0418 123 772 (M) Mike.Greenwood@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Justin Febey 0407 567 901 (M) Justin.Febey@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Jody Sargison 0418 539 171 (M) Jody.Sargison@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Game Management Unit - Contact Details

Wildlife Ranger Contact List

Launceston Office – details above

Matt Jones (Section Head) 03 6777 2086 (W)

0407 807 330 (M) Matt.Jones@dpipwe.tas.gov.auGlenn Woodruff 0438 033 096 (M) Glenn.Woodruff@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

DPIPWE Phone Number ChangesFrom September last year, the Resource Management and Conversation Division within DPIPWE, which is where the Wildlife

Management Branch falls under, began the move to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephones. This has resulted in all landline telephone numbers changing.

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Message from the Minister

As Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage, I welcome you to the 2014 issue of Game Tracks.The Tasmanian Government recognizes the importance of hunting to many people. I am pleased to be able to report an increase of over 40 per cent in game licence sales over the past 10 years, following a long period of gradual decline. This recent increase has in part resulted from improved hunting opportunities in Tasmania.

The Game Management Liaison Committee has operated since 2001 to provide the Minister of the day with advice from stakeholders on game management issues. This forum has ensured that the views of key interest groups, including those of hunters and landholders, are considered in decisions relating to game management.I recognise the key role that hunters play in assisting landowners to manage the impacts of browsing animals. The Tasmanian Government remains committed to reducing the usage of 1080 in Tasmania and I am pleased to be able to note that following concerted efforts over the last decade the use of 1080 poison is now at a very low level.To continue this reduction in 1080 use, my Department is working closely with landholders to promote the effective use of alternatives to 1080 and to support effective browsing animal management. Hunting, including that by recreational hunters, is a key part of the toolkit of options available to landholders to manage browsing damage. I trust that you enjoy this issue of Game Tracks.

Brian WightmanMinister for Environment, Parks and Heritage

Maps and Game LicensesContact your local Forestry Tasmania office

Hobart Derwent District (03) 6235 8353 Geeveston Huon District (03) 6295 7111 Scottsdale Bass District (03) 6350 6466 Burnie Murchison District (03) 6433 2666

www.forestrytas.com.auPhone 1800 FOREST

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Contents

Contacts Page .........3

Message from the Minister .........4

Contents .........5

About Game Tracks .........5

Open Seasons 2014 .........6

General Regulations .........6

Fallow Deer .........8

TDAC Report .........11

Wallaby .........12

1080 Poison .........13

Hydatids .........14

Wild Duck .........16

Avian Influenza .........20

Muttonbird .........22

Brown Quail .........24

Ringneck Pheasant .........26

Offender File .........27

Crop Protection Permits .........29

Commercial Brushtail Possum Permits .........31

Commercial Forester kangaroo Permits .........32

Fauna Dealers Skin Licence .........33

Export Permits .........33

Import Permits .........33

Permit to Sell Wildlife Products ....33

Importation of Birds .........33

Invasive Species Branch .........34

Taxidermy .........35

About Game Tracks

Purpose of Game Tracks

• To keep landowners, hunters and other stakeholders informed on issues relating to wildlife management and control in Tasmania.• To promote and facilitate ethical, responsible and humane hunting and harvesting practices that are consistent with State and Federal wildlife management and conservation programs.

Published by

Wildlife Management BranchDepartment of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001Phone: (03) 6777 2084 or fax: (03) 6336 5311

Advertising and Production

Stevens Publishing Pty LtdPO Box 7504, Launceston 7250Phone 0418 129 949

Disclaimer

The material and information contained in Game Tracks is intended as a guide only. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of such material and information at the time of printing, the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) does not guarantee this publication is without error.

The Crown in right of the State of Tasmania disclaims any liability for any loss or damage which may arise from any reliance upon any material or information contained in this publication.

Products advertised in Game Tracks are not necessarily endorsed by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment or any other agency of the Crown. Readers rely upon material and information contained in such advertisements at their own risk.

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Open Seasons 2014

Adult Male Fallow Deer1 March – 30 March 2014

Antlerless Fallow Deer15 March – 30 March 201410 May – 29 June 2014

Wild Duck8 March - 9 June 2014

Muttonbird Non-Commercial29 March – 13 April 2014Commercial27 March – 30 April 2014

Wallaby24 February 2014 - 22 February 2015

Brown Quail17 May – 29 June 2014

Ringneck Pheasant

7 June - 8 June 2014

NOTE: Proposed Season Dates are available from the DPIPWE website as early as August. These dates are then finalised in November after Minister approval.

General Regulations

There are a number of regulations applicable to all species. Some important ones are listed below.• Hunting at night is prohibited. Night means the period between 1 hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.• The use of baits, live decoys, traps, snares, spears, bows and arrows, explosives, poison, bird lime and chemical compounds is prohibited.• Solid jacketed military ammunition is prohibited.• Hunters must produce their Firearms Licence to obtain a hunting licence unless they are exempt under the Firearms Act 1996 and the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.The laws that govern hunting in Tasmania can be viewed at www.thelaw.tas.gov.au. Search for Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.

Who needs a Game Licence?

Any person wishing to recreationally hunt deer, wild duck, muttonbird, wallaby, brown quail or pheasant during the gazetted open seasons in Tasmania will require a game licence. Application forms are available from Service Tasmania Shops, downloadable from the Recreational Game Licences website www.gamelicencesdpipwe.tas.gov.au or by contacting the Wildlife Management Branch of the Department on (03) 6165 4302 or (03) 6165 4305.

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Prior to each year’s open seasons, Renewal Application Forms for recreational game licences are posted to those hunters who had a game licence during the previous year’s open seasons, and who provided their seasonal take information.

Other Species

Rabbits

Rabbits are classified as vermin under the Vermin Control Act 2000 and may be hunted at any time on Crown Land, State Forest and on private land with the permission of the landholder. There is no bag limit and rabbits are normally taken with shotguns and rimfire rifles, although any non-prohibited firearm may be used.

Hares

Hares, while not classified as vermin, have no legal status and can be hunted under the same conditions that apply for rabbits.

Foxes

Foxes are classified as vermin under the Vermin Control Act 2000 and may be hunted at any time on Crown Land, State Forest and on private land with the permission of the landholder. The Invasive Species Branch would appreciate any information on foxes sighted or shot in Tasmania. The 24hr fox sightings hotline number is 1300 369 688, visit www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/fox

Feral domestic animals

Some domestic animals such as pigs and goats have become feral and programs have been implemented to reduce these wild populations. Hunters and landholders can assist in these programs by reporting any sightings of feral pigs and goats to DPIPWE officers.

Open Seasons 2014

8

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

3236

41

49

38

6 69

13

7

Quality Score for Buck 2009 - 2013Quality Score 200+ Quality Score 225+

Fallow Deer

Fallow deer

Licence fee : $65.70Bag Limit: 1 adult male deer & 1 antlerless deer OR two antlerless deer.Spikies may not be taken.

Regulation Snapshot

• Only to be taken with a firearm. Minimum legal firearm calibre of not less than 6 mm and which is capable of delivering a projectile having kinetic energy of 1350 joules at a distance of 100 metres from the rifle. Suggested a calibre .243 or greater be used.• Dogs and spotlights are not permitted for taking deer.• The head of a deer must not be removed or the body severed, unless the hunter labels all the parts with their name, address, deer licence number and tag number.• All deer taken must be immediately tagged by the hunter using the tag issued to that hunter. Refer to photo series demonstrating affixing a tag.• Adult male deer - fix and lock the tag to the antler between the brow tine and the trez tine.• Antlerless deer - fix and lock the tag through the lower jaw.

Season Update

The overall reported take for the 2013 Fallow deer season was 2609 antlerless deer and 1576 male deer. This past year saw the continued increase of deer licence sales with 4452 licences sold state wide (see below). This represents an increase in sales of 21 per cent since 2006. Only wallaby and Fallow deer licence sales are showing a constant and steady increase and often these game licences coincide with access to private property. Regular feedback provided from the Tasmanian Deer Advisory Committee and the Australian Deer Association identifies that the continued increase in licenced hunters is resulting in more difficult access to hunting opportunities.

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

4088 4151 4163 4325 4452

2264 2439 2499 2731 2609

1286 1307 1317 1652 1576

Fallow Deer Licence Sales and Reported Take 2006 ‐ 2013

Licences Sold Reported Antlerless Take Reported Buck Take

Voluntarily hunters have provided the standard measurements to calculate the Quality Score for 353 bucks taken during the 2013 season. Results indicate that 38 per cent of bucks scored above the 200 Quality Score figure and 7 percent scored above 225 Quality Score (See graph below).

2013 figures are incomplete.

2013 figures are incomplete.

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Fallow DeerIn 2013, for the first time, hunters were asked to detail the region in which they harvested deer under their game licence. It was not surprising that Central Tasmania was detailed as the prominent region by hunters. Which comprises the Central Plateau and Midlands area (see Regional Game Season harvest for Fallow deer graph below).

controlling disproportionate numbers of mature bucks on private property. Of the 1845 male deer tags issued in 2013, 679 were for mature bucks. The properties undertaking this control did so during the game season and also during winter months when the bucks mob into bachelor herds. Reduced male deer densities for landholders and the removal of poor (or inferior) antlered animals for hunters resulted in good outcomes for all parties involved. Whilst antler scoring is recorded and provided for these bucks, they are not included in the game season state wide scores.

Central Highlands Deer Ballot

In 2014 the ballot will include the Great Western Tiers, Top Marshes and Five Mile Pinnacles Conservation Areas. Ideally, these three areas of land are for recreational hunters who have not secured access to other areas of private or state land. This ballot only operates during the male and first antlerless Fallow deer seasons. Further details including an application form to register can be found at www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au. The Wildlife Management Branch and several hunting clubs and associations have now been consulted about the possibilities of allowing the hunting of Fallow deer within the proposed Tasmanian Wilderness World

Heritage Area (TWWHA) extension areas as well as other areas currently identified as wallaby hunting zones in the 1999 TWWHA Plan. This consultation process will only be complete and implemented, as best case scenario, by the 2015 season but it does show promise for the potential addition of deer as a game species allowed to be hunted within the TWWHA in accordance with the regulations.

Central77%

South West0%

North West1%

North East14%

King Is0%

South East2% Unknown

6%

Regional Game Season Harvest for Fallow deer 2013

Central

South West

North West

North East

King Is

South East

Unknown

Crop Protection Permits

The past two years has shown a significant increase in the application and granting of Crop Protection Permits for all categories of Fallow deer (See Fallow deer crop protection tags graph below). Several properties are

2013 figures are incomplete.

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

4777

36523317

5024

5825

655 587 666

1239

1845

5432

42393983

6263

7670

Fallow Deer Crop Protection Tags Issued 2009 ‐ 2013*

Antlerless

2013 figures are incomplete.

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Fallow Deer

Removal of tags

Hunters and Taxidermists are reminded that as per Regulations 51(6), of the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010 except with the written permission of the Secretary, a person must not remove a prescribed tag affixed to a deer during the game season. Penalty: fine not exceeding 100 penalty unitsAs per 51(8), of the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010 prescribed tag means a tag issued to the holder of a deer licence at the time of the issue of the licence.Tags issued under Crop Protection Permits (Fallow deer and Forester kangaroo) state that a person must not remove a cull tag fixed in accordance with the conditions of a Crop Protection Permit, except with the written permission of the Secretary.To obtain information on obtaining the written permission of the Secretary to remove a tag please contact 03 6165 4305.

Health Update

Johne’s Disease UpdateA report has been released identifying that the work undertaken in Tasmania to investigate if Fallow deer are carriers of Johne’s Disease, lead by Bruce Jackson, has confirmed that of the 38 samples taken in Johne’s Disease infected areas, no deer have showed signs of having the disease. Hair loss syndrome/ dermatitis in deerHave you noticed hair loss in Fallow deer in Tasmania? There are suggestions that this may be caused by a mite or a bacterial skin infection similar to lumpy wool in sheep. If you shoot a deer with this condition, even if the area of hair loss is small, you are encouraged to please ring Bruce Jackson on 0407 872 520 so that Bruce can try to coordinate collecting a sample.

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Tasmanian Deer Advisory Committee‘Supporting quality

deer management and property based game

management.’

1 Shepherds CrtEvandale Tas 7212Enquiries: 0437 918 600Email: bizzy@netspace.net.au

Tasmanian Deer Advisory Committee Report The year 2012-2013 for the Tasmanian Deer Advisory Committee (TDAC) was one of strong presence in the state deer hunting scene.

TDAC has continued to have a presence at the Game Management Liaison

Committee (GMLC) meetings and has received a position

on the newly formed Tasmanian Firearms Consultative Committee (TFACC)

Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area

Throughout 2014, the major issue facing TDAC and our wild deer population is the new Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area management plan with 172 000 hectares being added to the existing area. TDAC has been asked to take part in the public consultation, with the hope of maintaining access to these areas.

Proposed amendments to the state Firearms Act 1996

The TDAC has continued to work hard on our submission regarding the proposed amendments to the state Firearms Act 1996 and as stated above, we have been given a position on the new Tasmanian Firearms Consultative Committee (TFACC) To date we have had one meeting with the Minister and one with the full committee.TDAC supports the reduction of the age for hunting in the field from 16 to 12, so as

to bring Tasmania in line with most other states of Australia. The TDAC also supports the removal of the 28 day waiting period for second or subsequent firearms.

Code of Practice for the Hunting of Wild Fallow Deer in Tasmania

This has been out now for a year and has been well received by the deer hunting community. I hope hunters will continue to take the time to read this.

Big Den State Forest

The biggest challenge for the deer hunters of Tasmania in 2013 was the balloting of the Big Den State Forest. This has been seen as a success with only a couple of minor changes for 2014. This includes raising the numbers from 32 to 44 and letting a small number of individuals per ballot period.While the start of the 2013 season was very dry, overall the season was a success. We must remember ‘Let Them Go Let them Grow’.Overall I would like to thank all the committee for their hard work, and special thanks to Paul Binns for his hard work and Wayne Turale for all the phone calls throughout the year.

TDAC Celebrates 20 years of QDM

Brian Murphy will be visiting Tasmanian May-June 2014. The TDAC is planning a dinner to celebrate the 20 years of Quality Deer Management in Tasmania. Matthew Allen, Chairman TDAC

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Wallaby

Bennett’s and rufous (Tasmanian Pademelon) Wallabies

Includes King and Flinders IslandsNon-commercial Licence Fee: $29.20 (Fee applicable until 30 June 2015)Commercial Licence Fee: $58.40 (Fee applicable until 30 June 2015)Bag Limit: none for either wallaby species.Only a Commercial Licence authorises the sale of wallaby products.

Regulation Snapshot:

• The use of snares and steel-jawed traps is prohibited.• The use of spotlights and shooting from a vehicle is prohibited.• Landholders can obtain crop protection permits that allow shooting from a vehicle with the aid of a spotlight.• Landholders may issue copies of the permit to licensed hunters to assist in the control of wallaby.

Season Update

The 2012-2013 open wallaby season saw 7,236 licences sold and to date 7,287 licences have been sold for the 2013-2014 season which ceases on the 23 February 2014. The Department does not require take information from those who purchase a wallaby licence. Property specific take figures from Crop Protection Permits are sought instead which incorporates some of this data.

Wallaby Management Coordinator - King Island

Due to the significant impact of the closure of the privately owned and operated abattoir on King Island, the Tasmanian Government and King Island Council worked through an economic assistance package via a partnership agreement. Through this partnership agreement funding has been specifically identified to provide assistance to landholders in relation to Island wide management for the abundant wallaby population. The agreement

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provides funding for a new position on King Island being a Wallaby Management Coordinator. This position is part time and fixed term until 30/06/2016. The Wallaby Management Coordinator will be responsible to develop and implement a two-stage wallaby management program for King Island. The first stage is to help assist and coordinate an intensive shooting control program across several regions. The second stage being to ensure that landholders work in cooperation to implement strategic plans using both wallaby fencing and best practice shooting strategies to ensure the program remains a long term strategy for the Island.

Management of Pouch Young

Crop Protection Permit conditions require permit holders to, in accordance with the ‘Animal Welfare Standard for the Hunting of Wallabies in Tasmania’ and also the ‘National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos’, examine shot females for pouch young, which if present must be killed immediately by decapitation, by a heavy blow to the skull to destroy the brain, or by shooting.The Wildlife Management Branch would like to remind and encourage individuals who partake in the culling of macropods in Tasmania, Bennett’s wallaby, Tasmanian Pademelons – Rufous wallaby and Forester kangaroo, to appropriately manage pouch young.The cost of rehabilitating an orphaned joey is high both in time and money. These costs are born by Wildlife Carers who are currently being stretched beyond their capacity.

1080 Poison Usage Update

The total amount of 1080 poison used in Tasmania continues to remain low compared with the amount used 10-15 years ago. During 2012-13, a total of 1.21 kg of 1080 poison was used. While this is an increase in the amount of 1080 poison used by comparison with the previous financial year (0.41kg), this represents a 92% reduction on the Tasmania Together reference point of 15.2 kg of 1080 poison used in 1999-2000. The Wildlife Management Branch recognises that the losses to pasture and crops from wallabies and possums can be significant. In accordance with the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to phasing out the use of 1080 poison for browsing animal control, the Wildlife Management Branch is contacting landholders who have used 1080 poison in recent years in order to arrange an on-site meeting to discuss alternative options for managing browsing damage.Landholders requiring assistance with browsing wildlife are strongly encouraged to contact Game Management Officers whose details are listed on page 3 of Game Tracks.

Summary of monthly 1080 poison usage figures for the 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 (July to October) financial years.

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

Cumulative 10

80 usage

 (kg)

2011‐12 2012‐13 2013‐14

1080 Poison Update

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Hydatids UpdateHunting dogs are a greater risk for hydatid disease than suburban pet dogs because, when hunting, they may come across a carcase and help themselves to some offal without the owner knowing it.Tasmanian law requires that farmers properly dispose of any dead livestock promptly. But there is still some risk that your hunting dog may come across a dead sheep, cow etc. So, hunters must ensure their dogs do not stray.

Hunters

You should protect yourself, your family and the owner of the property whose land you hunt on by ensuring your dog’s worm treatment is kept up-to-date and that it includes treatment for hydatids. If you are not sure whether the treatment is up-to-date, you should worm your dog(s) the weekend before you go hunting.This is not just about hydatid disease. Unwormed dogs can also spread sheep measles (Cysticercus ovis), which can cause a lamb carcase to be condemned and therefore valueless, and the false hydatid parasite (Cysticercus tenuicollis), which can cause liver damage. If property owners let you onto their property, you need to ensure your dogs do not cause infection in their livestock.Treatment is a simple process. Dog worm products that contain praziquantel will protect

Health Update

Hunters and Landholders – Your role in preventing the return of hydatid disease

Both hunters and those who allow hunting on their property have an important role to play in keeping Tasmania free of hydatid disease.Hydatids is a potentially fatal disease that can be passed from dog to human. Prior to the major hydatids eradication campaign in Tasmania from the early 1960s through to the 1980s, Tasmania had the highest rate of hydatid disease in humans in the developed world. The hydatids eradication campaign in Tasmania was eventually successful and Tasmania is now the only State in Australia to be recognized as hydatids-free. For obvious reasons, it is in all our interests to keep it that way.The risk factor for hydatid disease is feeding offal to dogs. A dog that consumes infected offal is then a significant risk to every human it comes into close contact with. Humans can become infected when a dog that has eaten infected offal licks them. Even stroking such a dog can result in infection if the person does not wash his or her hands thoroughly before eating. So, children are at particular risk of hydatid disease.

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Hydatids Updateagainst hydatids if given at the right dose. It will state on the worm tablet package whether it contains praziquantel. Dogs must be given 5 mg praziquantel per kg body weight. So a 30 kg dog needs 150 mg praziquantel.

Property Owners

To protect your family from the risk of hydatids and your livestock from other worm-borne diseases, you should not allow any hunting dog onto your property unless you are satisfied its worm treatment is up-to-date and has included treatment for hydatids. You are required by law to dispose of livestock carcases promptly, so please check there are none on your property before allowing the hunting dogs in.Finally, a reminder that, under no circumstances should any dog on your property be fed offal, including offal from downer cattle or sheep that are slaughtered on farm.

If you bring a dog into (or back into) Tasmania

While Tasmania is hydatids-free, mainland States are not. Further, while marsupials in Tasmania have never been carriers of hydatid disease, hydatid

Tapeworms developinside dogs.

Humans can pick up worm eggs from infected dogs.

Hydatidic cysts can develop in human internal organs causing serious health problems.

Cysts develop in the liver, lungs, heart and brain.

Dogs become infected when they eat cysts in the offal from infected stock.

Livestock become infected by eating tapeworm eggs from the faeces of infected dogs.

cysts have been found in marsupials on the mainland.This means that any dog that has been hunting on the mainland is at a much higher risk for hydatid disease than your average suburban mutt.Every dog that comes into Tasmania, including Tasmanian hunting dogs returning from the mainland, must be treated for hydatids before they cross Bass Strait.In practice, this means you have to provide evidence that the dog has been treated for hydatids within 14 days before arriving in Tasmania. That proof may be a certificate from your vet, a statutory declaration or the pill packet. Because hunting dogs are a much higher hydatids risk than other dogs, Quarantine Tasmania puts a high priority on checking that they have been treated when they arrive.

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Wild Duck

Wild duck

Includes King and Flinders IslandsLicence fee: $29.20Bag Limit: 10 ducks per day.Legal Species:Black duck, Grey teal, Chestnut teal, Mountain duck and Wood duck. Other species may be encountered in Tasmania but may not be taken. These include Blue-winged shoveler, Hardhead (or White-eyed) duck, Musk duck, Freckled duck, Pink-eared duck, Blue-billed duck and Plumed tree duck.

Regulation Snapshot

• Decoys, including feathered decoys, are permitted but the use of any bait, live birds, tape recorders or other electronic devices is prohibited.• The use of boats propelled by an engine is prohibited for taking ducks.• Aircraft are prohibited for rousing ducks.• Shooting duck between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise is prohibited.• Ducks may only be taken with shotguns not exceeding 12 gauge.• Hunters must retain either the head or the wings on a harvested duck until the hunter has arrived at his normal place of residence, shack or camp.• Hunters must produce their Waterfowl Identification Test (WIT) Certificate the first time they wish to obtain a licence. Thereafter, verification will occur via the game licence database. Applicants born in or before 1935 are exempt from this test.

Harvest season 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013*

Licences issued 893 960 959 1,032 967

Reported take 33,080 39,576 39,366 44,865 42,050

Take per licence return 44.3 45.8 46.5 49.8 53.8

Total estimated take 39,598 43,928 44,604 51,417 51,998

Season Update

The 2013 season was similar to recent seasons in terms of total bag and species composition of the overall take (Table below). The number of licenses issued decreased slightly (6%) but was consistent with recent years. Hunters reported taking 42,050 ducks over the three month open season, which equates to an average of 54 birds per licence. This is an increase of 4 birds (or 8%) since last season and 10 birds (or 21%) since 2009. See table below, which provides a comparison of licence and bag numbers for the 2013 season with previous years.The species composition of the bag (Wild duck harvest by species) in 2013 was similar to that for 2012 with the exception that there was a significant increase of grey teal in the bag, up from 13% to 24% of the bag. The abundance of this species in Tasmania varies considerably from year to year in response to climatic conditions here and on the mainland, consequently big variations in the annual bag can be expected for this species.Black duck continue to make up the majority of the harvest, though less than recent years, grey teal were 24 % of the bag, and chestnut teal were 20 %. The least frequently taken species were wood duck and mountain duck. This is probably due to a combination of the relative abundance of the different species in the landscape and hunter preferences.The geographical distribution of the wild duck harvest across the state has been reasonably consistent over recent seasons, with the exception that the proportion of the harvest taken from the Central Plateau has increased.

Wild duck hunting licences issued and reported take, 2009-13 *Preliminary figures as at September 2013.

17

  

Black Duck42%

Chestnut Teal 20%

Grey Teal 13%

Mountain Duck 10%

Wood Duck 15%

2012

Black Duck36%

Chestnut Teal20%

Grey Teal24%

Mountain Duck7%

Wood Duck13%

2013

  

Black Duck42%

Chestnut Teal 20%

Grey Teal 13%

Mountain Duck 10%

Wood Duck 15%

2012

Black Duck36%

Chestnut Teal20%

Grey Teal24%

Mountain Duck7%

Wood Duck13%

2013

Wild duck harvest by species, 2012 and 2013

   

 

King Is4%

Furneaux8%

South WestTas

1%

NW Tas13%

NE Tas29%

Moulting Lagoon13%

South East Tasmania

12%

Central Plateau 18%

Location Unknown

2%

2012

King Is4%

Furneaux10%

South West Tas

1%

NW Tas12%

NE Tas27%

Moulting Lagoon13%

South East Tasmania

9%

Central Plateau 23%

Location Unknown

1%

2013   

 

King Is4%

Furneaux8%

South WestTas

1%

NW Tas13%

NE Tas29%

Moulting Lagoon13%

South East Tasmania

12%

Central Plateau 18%

Location Unknown

2%

2012

King Is4%

Furneaux10%

South West Tas

1%

NW Tas12%

NE Tas27%

Moulting Lagoon13%

South East Tasmania

9%

Central Plateau 23%

Location Unknown

1%

2013

Wild duck take by region, 2012 and 2013

Wild DuckThe harvest in this area has approximately doubled from 11% in 2010 to 23% in 2013 (Wild duck take by region). During the same period the proportion of the harvest taken in north east Tasmania has declined from 34% to 27%. Despite this decline, the majority of

wild duck take was still taken in the northeast. In 2013, 81% of licence holders provided information on their take during the wild duck season (at the time of writing); this is the same as last year.

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For those who can assist, the guts and head of the duck should be collected into a single plastic bag and labelled with the date and area the duck was shot. These samples need to be kept as cool as practical - in an esky with ice bricks would be ideal, but in the shade, covered with wet cloth is OK for up to 48 hours depending on weather conditions. Samples can be frozen and collection can be arranged from anywhere in the state.For further information please contact Sue Martin or Bruce Jackson at the Department of Primary Industries (6777 2115 or 0407 872 520). Also ring if you would like plastic bags and labelling pens. Your help is very much appreciated.

SSAA (Tas) Inc. Is Tasmania’s largest shooting organisation. It provides services direct to each individual member, but also has comprehensive club structure across the State. These clubs cater for target disciplines in pistol, rifle and shotgun, and some have access to hunting properties.

Arguably the best value-for-money membership benefits in Australia with access to ranges on scheduled days, monthly Australian Shooter magazine and extensive hunter insurance cover since 1997. Current policies are $20 million dollar public liability cover while on recreational hunting, fishing or conservation activities and personal accident insurance while recreational shooting or hunting. Insurance cover also includes archery. Cover excludes professional hunting.

SSAA Insurance Brokers also offer business/commercial and private insurance policies.

For more information contact:

The SecretaryPh/Fax - (03) 6249 9293 or 0427 420 087ssaatas@netspace.net.auwww.ssaa.org.au

SSAA - the organisation for hunters

Health Update

Avian Influenza survey – the duck’s guts.

Once again, DPIPWE was involved in the Avian Influenza Surveillance Program aimed at preventing outbreaks of Avian Influenza. We had an exceptional response from duck hunters last year and the samples collected enabled the detection of several isolates. Using these fresh shot duck samples currently appears to be a better means of detection than using the faecal samples relied on in the past. All results from faecal samples were negative. However, of the 388 samples we collected from the shot ducks, 24 of these were found to be positive for Avian Influenza. These positive samples were sent to the Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong Victoria so the exact strain of Avian Influenza could be determined. This year strains of H1N1, H9N2 and H12 N5 were found. Fortunately these are not the strains that cause widespread disease in wild birds, poultry or humans. Results were extremely useful in allowing an understanding of strains that are present in the environment.Thanks to all who assisted with the AI sample collection. This program will continue and hopefully duck hunters will help with further samples during the 2014 duck season.

Avian Influenza

21

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Tasmanian residents are entitled to a special reduced price for Four issues of the Australian HUNTER for $29.95 including postage.Enclosed is my cheque/money order for the amount of $.......................or charge my credit cardType of card - MasterCard Visa with $..................................

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Harvest Year 2010 2011 2012 2013*

Colonies open to harvest 44 43 44 44

Licences issued 1,087 907 960 979

State-wide reported take 53,202 34,898 45,883 34,597

Permit returns 76% 72.6% 74.4% 60.1%

Average birds per licence return 64.6 54.5 64.2 58.8

Estimate of Total Take 70,220 49,431 61,567 57,603*Preliminary figures only

Muttonbird

Muttonbird

Short-tailed Shearwater (Muttonbird)Licence fee: $29.20 (non-commercial)Bag limit: 25 per day for colonies in King Island Group, Hunter Group and Furneaux Group. A limit of 15 per day applies on Tasmanian mainland colonies.A ‘Non-commercial (Recreational) Muttonbird Season 2014 – Open Colonies’ schedule is available by phoning the Wildlife Management Branch on (03) 6165 4302.

Regulation Snapshot

• Night-birding is prohibited (‘night’ is between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise.• Pointed, sharpened, barbed or hook shaped or sharpened implements are prohibited.• Dogs may not be used.• Interfering with burrows during the closed season or without a licence during the open season is prohibited.• Licences are issued to one person only. The taking of muttonbirds under another person’s licence (including family member) is illegal.• Chicks are to be killed quickly and humanely in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 1993.

Season Update

The recreational muttonbird harvest was open for 16 days in March and April 2013. A summary of the season is provided in the Table below. The comparable figures are also provided for recent seasons.

 

 

 

 

Hunter Grp37%

King Is20%

Furneaux Grp33%

West coast8%

Unknown2%

While the overall pattern of harvest across the regions is similar to previous years, the total recreational harvest for 2013 was down 6.4% on 2012 but 16.5% greater than the harvest for 2011. The majority of the total recreational harvest for 2012 was taken from islands in the Furneaux and Hunter Island groups (as shown above). These two regions accounted for 70% of the recreational harvest with approximately 11,400 and 12,800 chicks taken respectively. As in previous years, Little Dog Island in the Furneaux Group was the most productive single site providing 18% (6080 chicks) of the total harvest. In the Hunter Group, the Petrels (4889 chicks) and Walker Island (3020 chicks) were the most productive locations providing approximately 14% and 8% respectively of the total harvest.

Based on preliminary figures, the overall harvest has decreased approximately 8% per licence holder from last year. Interestingly this decline is not reflected in the burrow occupancy rates found in the pre-season surveys Summary of season details for the recreational muttonbird harvest.

Proportion of 2013 Tasmanian recreational muttonbird take by region.

23

undertaken by DPIPWE; compared with 2012 pre-season surveys there was an increase of 7 % in the average burrow occupancy for the Furneaux Islands this year.A comparison of the variation in the harvest from each of the regions over the last three seasons is provided below. It can be seen that the harvest decreased in all regions except the Hunter Group, where it increased slightly (3%). The harvest on King Island and the Furneaux Group both decreased by 14%. The harvest on the West coast has decreased by 19%.Muttonbirds show extremely high site-fidelity, returning to the same rookery year after year. Monitoring of individual rookeries is therefore important for their management. To assist in this, since 2009, birders have been asked to provide details of the exact

Muttonbird

 

 

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

Hunter Grp King Is Furneaux Grp West coast Unknown

2011 2012 2013

Comparison of annual muttonbird harvest, 2010-2013.

colony they harvested. Precise reporting of a harvest location allows the WMB to more accurately monitor the harvest pressure in particular rookeries, rather than simply by region, thereby helping to ensure the annual harvest remains sustainable. By providing harvest return data birders contribute an essential step in ensuring the muttonbirds are sustainably managed.

Tasmanian Field and Game Association Inc.

• Hunting and clay targets.

• Conveners for Waterfowl Identification Tests.

• All appropriate hunter insurance available.

Enquiries (03) 6391 1008, 0418 135 151

24

Brown Quail

Harvest season 2010 2011 2012 2013*

Licences issued 185 237 247 179

Reported take 7,464 8,826 9,286 5936

Birds per licence return 54.5 54.2 55.16 46.0

Estimated total harvest 10,079 12,848 13,625 8,234*Preliminary figures only; 28% of returns were still outstanding as of September 2013

Brown Quail hunting licences issued and reported take, 2010-13

Brown Quail

Licence Fee: $29.20Bag Limit: 20 per day.Legal Species:Only Brown quail may be taken. Other species such as Stubble Quail and Painted Quail are wholly protected and may not be taken.

Regulation Snapshot:

• Quail may only be taken with shotguns, not exceeding 12 gauge.

Season Update

Licence sales, total harvest and harvest per hunter were down slightly on recent years. The table provides a comparison with previous years regarding the number of licences issued and the take. It should be noted that, at the time of writing (September 2013), over one quarter (28%) of returns were still outstanding, consequently the total reported take can be expected to rise. The number of

SSAA National in partnership with SSAA Tasmania will be embarking on a project to collect information from harvested Brown Quail taken during the open season. This project is supported by both the Tasmanian FGA and the Wildlife Management Branch.The goal is to explore the temporal and spatial variations in the sex and age of harvested birds as well as provide material for future stable isotope and DNA studies.This information will be used to create a better understanding of brown quail to ensure the continued sustainable management of this wild food resource. SSAA National Quail Research Project Co-ordinator: Matt Godson 0448 887 079SSAA Tasmania Contact: Donald Riddell 0400 283 634 Tasmanian FGA Contact: Peter Darke 0418 135 151 To register and/or request more information regarding sample collection and requirements, please email quail@ssaa.org.au or visit http://www.ssaa.org.au/hunting/quail-research-project.html

Quail hunters... we need youBrown Quail Research Project

licences issued in 2013 decreased by 27.5% compared with last year, to 179. Preliminary figures indicate the average bag declined approximately 17% from 55 birds per licence return in 2012 to 46 birds per licence return in 2013 (See Table above).

25

Tasmanian region where birds were shot

No. of licenced hunters who have provided a return+

% of hunters who have provided a return*

Total No. of Quail reported taken in this region

Average No. of Quail taken per return

% of total no. of Quail taken

North west 15 11.6 216 14.4 3.6

North east 41 31.8 1,047 25.5 17.6

Central 28 21.7 815 29.1 13.7

South east 9 7.0 183 20.3 3.1

Furneaux Group 50 38.8 3,531 70.6 59.5

King Island 2 1.6 144 72 2.4

South west 0 0 0 0 0

Unknown 0 0 0 0 0

All regions 129 (of 179) 100 5,936 46.0 100+ Some hunters are active in more than one region, hence the sum of the regions is greater than the total number of returns* As some hunters hunted quail in more than one region the total percentage for all regions combined is greater than 100%.

Brown Quail Harvest by Region, 2013

     

 

North west10%

North east28%

Central19%

South east6%

Furneaux Group35%

King Island2%

North west4%

North east18%

Central14%

South east3%

Furneaux Group59%

King Island2%

Hunting location of quail hunters 2013 Regional breakdown of quail take 2013     

 

North west10%

North east28%

Central19%

South east6%

Furneaux Group35%

King Island2%

North west4%

North east18%

Central14%

South east3%

Furneaux Group59%

King Island2%

Licence returns include information on the location and number of quail shot; this has allowed a regional breakdown of the quail harvest (see Table opposite). Returns indicate that the islands of the Furneaux Group were again the most popular region and also the most productive for quail hunting in Tasmania (See figures opposite). The average take for hunters shooting there being

71 birds per hunter. The next most productive area in terms of total number of birds shot was central Tasmania (29 birds per hunter), while the southeast (20 birds per hunter) and northwest (14 birds per hunter) received substantially less hunting effort and produced fewer birds. Only two hunters active on King Island provided returns.

Brown Quail

26

Ringneck Pheasant

If you are keen or considering a hunting trip to King Island for the upcoming Pheasant season please make sure you have the appropriate permission to hunt on private land. If you require assistance and support for this endeavour please don’t hesitate to get into contact with the King Island Game Bird Association on 0428 611 254..

29 31

30

25 26

30

13

30 34

25

25 28

2124

8 9 6 5

59 6555 58 63

5742

1999 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2013

November Roadside Surveys for Cock Pheasants 1999 ‐ 2013

SOUTH ISLAND NORTH ISLAND OTHER ROADS

Ringneck Pheasant

Licence Fee: $14.60Bag Limit: 3 male birds per day.Hunters are encouraged to:• Become a member of the King Island Game Bird Association; and• Obtain from the Association a Hunter Authority Card giving permission to access land for hunting.

Regulation Snapshot:

• The open season applies only to male birds on King Island.• Pheasants may only be taken with shotguns not exceeding 12 gauge.

Season Update

For the 2013 Pheasant season 127 licences were sold and hunter returns indicate 216 cocks as being taken. Breeding and releasing into the wild has ceased so the season is wholly reliant on managing the current population in a sustainable manner. In this regard roadside surveys are continued to be undertaken and recent results have identified that the population of cock birds is declining. Specifically this is most apparent in the southern half of the Island. See Roadside Survey below.

27

Wildlife OffencesFORD, Matthew Barry (Bagdad)Remove Deer tag, no authority. Fined $520, Infringement notice.HAWORTH, Jamie Lee George (Austins Ferry)Take partly protected wildlife (53 Juvenile Mutton birds), no permit.Possess the products of wildlife (53 Juvenile Mutton birds) taken contrary to the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.Fined $1040, Infringement Notice.JONES, Andrew John (Glenorchy)Take partly protected wildlife (53 Juvenile Mutton birds), no permit.Possess the products of wildlife (53 Juvenile Mutton birds) taken contrary to the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.Fined $1040, Infringement Notice.McDougall, Paul (Tonganah)Use a chemical product not in accordance with a label under the Code (Agvet Code of Tasmania) in relation to that chemical product.Have in custody for the purpose of use, a chemical product without a label approved under the Code (Agvet Code of Tas) in relation to that chemical product.Take a form of protected wildlife (9 Sulphur Crested Cockatoo), no permit.Take partly protected wildlife (12 Wild Duck), no licence or permit.Fined $750, plus court costs.RICE, Benjamin William (Evandale)Possess a loaded firearm in a vehicle in a public place.Possess partly protected wildlife (Spikie Fallow Deer) taken contrary to the regulation.Fined $750, plus court costs, firearm forfeited.WEBB, Bradley Thomas Jeffrey (Bridgewater)Possess a controlled animal brought into the state (Shingle Back Skink), no permit.Possess protected wildlife (Blotched Blue tongued lizard), no permit.Fined $300, plus court costs.WHELAN, Brett Edward (Kempton)Take partly protected wildlife (2 Male Fallow Deer) other than during an open season.Possess partly protected wildlife (2 Male Fallow Deer) taken contrary to the regulations.Fail to comply with the ammunition storage requirements.Fined $1200, plus court costs.

WILLIAMS, Craig William James (Glenorchy)Take partly protected wildlife (53 Juvenile Mutton birds), no permit.Possess the products of wildlife (53 Juvenile Mutton birds) taken contrary to the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010.Fined $1040, Infringement Notice

Firearm Offences

GRAHAM, Benjamin Charles (Longford)Fail to store ammunition in a locked container of an approved type.Fail to comply with the prescribed safety requirements for the conveyance of a firearm.Possess a loaded firearm in a vehicle in a public place.Fined $450, plus court costs, court ordered return of firearm to owner.BARKER, Dalton Phil (North Motton)Fail to comply with the prescribed safety requirements for the conveyance of a firearm.Operate a spotlight in a vehicle on a public street.Fined $500, plus court costs, court ordered return of firearm to owner.

Other Offences

EASTLEY, James Stuart (Premaydena)Possess a metal detector on Reserved Land, no permit or authority.Fined $130, Infringement Notice.

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Crop Protecion Permits

Crop Protection Permits

Landholders are required to have Crop Protection Permits to shoot, poison or trap (and shoot) wildlife causing damage to pasture or crops.

Process for Applying for a Permit

Applications for Crop Protection Permits are made to the Wildlife Management Branch. Applications can be made by the landholder verbally over the phone, face to face, or in writing using post, fax or email. It is the intention of the Department to move toward these applications being made in writing by the landholder.Where properties are managed or leased, the applicant must provide landholder details, including contact details, for verification purposes. When making an application the following details are required:

Full name and addresses (residential and postal) of the applicant. Property name, size and address. Full names and residential addresses of intended permit holders (hunters)Background information including the type of wildlife, damage being caused and any previous controls.

Notification of any relevant offences (wildlife and firearms related) resulting in a conviction within the last five years, since 2010.

TIP: Create a file for keeping property hunter particulars safe and together. Store records of hunter insurances, waivers and certificates here too if you require these from your hunters.

Timeframe

Permits can take up to 5 working days to be processed and are forwarded to the applicant using Australia Post. Interim permits are available for several nuisance bird species. These involve the immediate issue of a permit to allow damage mitigation. Interim permits are followed up by a standard numbered permit.

Membership inquiries to

National Membership Office,Australian Deer Association inc.P.O. Box 454 Croydon, Victoria 3136.

Phone: (03) 9870 1175 Fax: (03) 9870 1173Email: natmem@austdeer.asn.auWeb: www.austdeer.com.au

“Conservation is a State of Harmony between Men and the Land” Aldo Leopold

• Meet with and learn from experienced deer hunters and conservationists

• “Australian Deer” magazine subscription included

• Educational meeings with guest speakers, including demonstrations• Members are covered by public liability and personal injury insurance

• All species of deer and all methods of deer hunting are represented

• Membership provides a genuine reason to hold a firearm licence

Join the Australian Deer Association today

New to deer hunting?Want to learn the ropes from experienced hunters?

The Association’s Hunter education programThe very best and most experienced deer hunters in Australia make their time available at our hunter education course held at Rawson and other courses so you can learn from their experience and be successful too.

The Association’s Deer Management ProgramThe Association facilitates a number of Deer Management Programs in conjunction with land managers, both private and public, to manage deer populations. Association members have the opportunity to play a very important part in these programs by getting involved in harvest operations using their hunting skills.

Photo: Errol Mason. www.sambardeer.com

Bank Card MasterCard Visa Card

the sum of $....................... in payment for the above

subscription. (Please delete cards not applicable.)

Name of Cardholder/Remitter:

.............................................................................................

Card Number: ......................................................................

Expiry Date: ................................

Signature: ............................................................................

Post your Membership Application to: NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP OFFICE AUSTRALIAN DEER ASSOCIATION inc.PO BOX 454 CROYDON VIC 3136

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP (Tick One) Ordinary - $80Junior (Under 18) - $40 Family (includes spouse and

children under 18) - $100Disability (DSP) - $60Overseas - $48 Extended Family

(Family & voting spouse) - $120 DSP must include copy of Pension Card

Family Names & Dates of Birth:

.......................................................

.......................................................

Melbourne (Heidelberg)Gippsland (Moe) East Gippsland (Bairnsdale)Westernport (Cranbourne)Central Victoria (Bendigo)Murray Valley (Wangaratta)Western Victoria Sub (Willaura)Other (interstate Applicants refer to

website for nearest branch)

PREFERRED BRANCH (Tick One)

✁

I enclose a cheque for the sum of $......................... in full

payment for the above subscription OR please debit myMembershipA P P L I C A T I O N

New Member Membership Renewal

First Name: ....................................................................

Surname: .......................................................................

Address: ........................................................................

...................................................... Postcode: ...............

D.O.B: ...................... Occupation: .................................

Telephone: ( ) ......................................................

Email: ............................................................................

I hereby apply for membership of the AUSTRALIAN DEER ASSOCIATION and agree to abide by its Code of Conduct.

Signed: ..............................................................................

New to deer hunting?

30

Crop Protection Permits

Return of Permits

All Crop Protection Permits require the landholder to return details of ‘take’ to the Department by completing the reverse side of the permit. Details of previous ‘take’ must be provided before another permit will be issued. Even if the take is zero or a renewal is not required a return must still be provided. A copy of previous permits will be provided for completion and return in the event of misplacement or loss. Please note that permit returns assist in the management of wildlife and ensures that your future permit requirements can be processed promptly.

Renewals

Reminder notices are not sent out for Crop Protections Permits. However wallaby and possum permits do allow the landholder to request reissue of the permit on the back page of the permit. Permits for all other species must be re-applied for. TIP: Ask Game Management Staff for a logbook to assist with recording take details.TIP: Put a reminder note in your diary one week prior to your permits expiring.TIP: If you do require a permit to be reissued, attach a note to your expired permit before you return it. Detail any changes to your

permit holders (hunters) and a Game Management Unit Officer will contact you to discuss your new permit application.

Allocation of tag record

Where Fallow deer and Forester kangaroo tags are not allocated to individual hunters with their permits, landholders should keep a record of all Fallow deer and Forester kangaroo tags distributed to any hunters under their crop protection permits. This ensures traceability of tags should the need arise. These details are best kept by the landholder with their copy of the permit and can be sent to the Department with the permit when returned.

Recent Changes

Since July 2013, permits issued from the Wildlife Management Branch have been processed using a new computer software package that provides for much greater flexibility and user friendliness. As a result, we have reviewed existing permits and changes have been made and future changes will occur as and when it is deemed necessary. To

remind landholders and hunters to review permit conditions upon receipt, a sticker to highlight changes is being used.

Notification of relevant offences within a five (5) year period

All applicants for permits are reminded that they are required to advise of any

PLEASE READ;IMPORTANT CHANGESTO PERMIT CONDITIONS

Frequently asked questionsWho in the Department is responsible for issuing Crop Protection Permits?

Wildlife Management Branch

Is the Wildlife Management Branch a part of the Parks and Wildlife Service?

No, the Wildlife Management Branch is not part of the Parks and Wildlife Service.

Is there a cost? No

Do I need to return copies of my hunter’s permits?

No, hunters are asked to provide returns to the landholder for the purpose of the landholder to collectively detail take on their permit.

I have a Property-based Wildlife Management Plan (PBWMP), do I still have to provide copies of my logbooks when I renew my wallaby and possum permits?

No, you must still provide take details as required on your permits.

31

Commercial Permits

wildlife or other relevant offences of which they have been convicted in the previous five years. A person who has been convicted of a wildlife, or other relevant offence within the previous five years, since 2010, is unable to be issued with a permit.

Combined wallaby and possum permits

Since December 2013 wallaby and Brushtail possum Crop Protection Permits are being issued as a combined single permit.Land holders are no longer required to provide permit holder (hunter) details for Brushtail possum permits.

Destruction of unused tags

A change in policy during late 2013 resulted in a condition change to all Crop Protection Permit issued with tags (Fallow deer and Forester kangaroo permits). Unused tags are no longer required to be returned to the Secretary. Instead all unused tags must now be locked or destroyed by cutting upon the

expiry of the permit under which they were issued. Where tags are assigned to individual permit holders (hunters) with their permits, the hunter is required to lock or destroy tags by cutting. Where a landholder has been given permission to allocate tags to their hunters, these hunters will still be required to return unused tags to the landholder who must ensure all unused tags are locked or destroyed by cutting. This highlights the need for landholders to keep a record of tag allocation, as detailed previously under Allocation of Tag Record.

Commercial Brushtail Possum Hunters Permits

In order to comply with the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010, persons wanting to be involved in the trading of Brushtail possum fur will need to comply with the following conditions-

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Commercial PermitsA person who wants to harvest possums for their fur requires a Commercial Brushtail Possum Hunters Permit.This permit can be purchased at a cost of $22 and authorises the holder to take Brushtail possums on specified properties for the purpose of selling skins and/or fur, for a period of a year. All permits expire on the 31 December of any year.All holders of these commercial permits are required to make monthly returns to the Wildlife Management Branch detailing the number of possums taken and the products sold. Return forms are provided to permit holders on the issue of a permit.

A person who wishes to buy and sell Brushtail possum skins and/or fur requires a Fauna Dealers Skins Licence. This licence costs $72.00 (this fee applies until 31 December 2013) and allows the holder to buy skins and/or fur only from persons who hold a Commercial Brushtail Possum Hunter’s Permit. A Fauna Dealers Skins Licence is not limited to Brushtail possum, and requires monthly returns to be made to the Wildlife Management Branch detailing transactions (purchases and sales) in fur and/or skins.  Return forms are provided to licence holders on the issue of a licence.

At the same time the licence requires a royalty of $0.30 to be paid on each skin. Royalties on fur are calculated on the basis of one kilo of Brushtail possum fur being equivalent to 15 Brushtail possum skins, or $4.50 as a royalty payment for one kilo of fur. Royalty Payment Forms are supplied to licence holders to assist with payments.A permit from the Environment Australia is required to export possum fur out of Australia. Please see - http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/wildlife-trade/permits/index.html

Commercial Forester kangaroo Permits

In late 2013, a new system of Commercial Forester kangaroo permits was introduced to better manage commercial utilisation of Forester kangaroo products (meat and skin) taken under Crop Protection Permits. Commercial Forester

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Commercial PermitsKangaroo permits use a different type of tag — as shown.When applying for a permit to take Forester Kangaroos, landholders must specify if the animals are to be taken by a commercial game meat harvester. This is important as commercial permits differ from non-commercial permits, tags are of a different colour and only commercial permits allow the sale of meat to a licensed meat works. Please also note that a licensed meat works receiving commercially harvested Forester kangaroo who also wish to sell the skins of these animals must ensure they have permission to do so under their Fauna Dealers (Skins) Licence.

Fauna Dealers Skin Licence

A Fauna Dealers Skin Licence is required by those persons wishing to buy and sell skins and/or fur of wildlife. Licence fee: $73.00Royalties on skins: wallaby $0.20 each; possum $0.30 each

Export Permits

A permit is required to export wildlife (partly protected, protected or special protected) and products of wildlife out of Tasmania. A copy of the permit is required to be fixed externally to the carrier in which the animal or product is being transported. The fees payable upon the issue of a permit authorising the removal from the State of any form of wildlife or the products of any such wildlife as specified in the permit are;in the case of a permit that relates to living creatures $14.60,or for each creature, whichever is the greater : $2.92in any other case $14.60.

Import Permits

Import permits are required to bring in wildlife and wildlife products from interstate. All mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles are considered a ‘Controlled Animal’ and are to be accompanied by a current Import Permit for Wildlife when entering the state of Tasmania (this does not include dogs, cats or any domestic stock). An import permit is required for all aviary birds (budgies and cockatiels etc.) which may have been brought up as a family pet on the mainland. Please feel free to consult with the Wildlife Management Branch staff regarding any question about the importation of wildlife into Tasmania on 03 6165 4305 or via our website link http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/ThemeNodes/LBUN-8G42X2?open

Permit to Sell Wildlife Products

It is an offence to sell any products of any form of partly protected wildlife under the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010, unless that person is authorised to do so by a licence or permit. The sale of any form of partly protected wildlife on a commercial basis requires a licence also. It is important to note that the definition of ‘sale’ under the Regulations does not require the exchange of money between two parties. Simply advertising an item for sale is deemed to be selling. An application for a Permit or Licence can be obtained by calling the Wildlife Management Branch on 03 6165 4305.

Importation of Birds into Tasmania

The importation of animals into Tasmania, specifically birds, can pose a significant risk to our biodiversity. Although in the past we have been able to import a number of different bird species into the state with An import permit is required

for all aviary birds.

34

Importation of Birds

Rainbow Lorikeet. Image by Jennie Stock IACRC Indian myna. Image by Chris Tzaros

ease, a review of our procedures of importing animals was undertaken in 2011, and as a result a strategy was developed called the ‘Policy and Procedures for the Import, Movement and Keeping of Vertebrate Wildlife in Tasmania’. http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/ThemeNodes/LBUN-8KN2NX?open This Policy does not put a blanket ban on the importation of birds into the state, rather it assists us to risk assess against the potential impacts some bird species pose on the state’s environment, which lowers the potential impact of native bird species. An example of this is the Rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus). This bird has been in the state as an aviary bird for many years, however, released and escaped birds in recent times means that the wild population has grown to approximately 400+ state-wide. Environmental consultants have undertaken a risk assessment, and have ranked this species as an extreme risk to Tasmania’s native bird species. This is a concern for the Department, and therefore under policy, the rainbow lorikeets are classed as a Restricted Animal and are no longer available for importation into Tasmania. Other bird species such as the Indian Ringneck Parrot (Psittacula krameri) and the Indian Myna (Acridotheres tristis) are also restricted and therefore fall into this category of an extreme risk to Tasmania biodiversity.

Other birds unavailable for import are listed in the ‘Importing and Keeping Birds in Tasmania’ policy which can be found on the following web address:http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/FormPermits/LJEM-66S6QP?open

Invasive Species Branch

DPIPWE’s Invasive Species Branch (ISB) is responsible for coordinating the response to invasive animals (terrestrial vertebrates) and weeds in Tasmania. Current invasive animal threats and priorities for action include foxes, rabbits, feral cats, agile wallabies, rainbow lorikeets and Indian mynas.The ISB is currently managing two main project areas in invasive animal management: Stage Three of the Fox Eradication Program and administration of the Cat Management Act 2009.Get informed. Get involved. Or get invaded.Report all sightings of the invasive animals listed above or any unusual animals you see to the Invasive Species Hotline on 1300 369 688.If possible, take a photo of suspected invasive animals and supply this as well. Early detection is important to enable a rapid response to threats and your help is vital in protecting Tasmania from harm.Foxes and rabbits are both classed as vermin in Tasmania and may be hunted at any time on Crown Land and State Forest with a current permit, and on private land with

the permission of the landholderIf a fox is sighted and/or shot, please immediately report it to the Invasive Species Hotline.Under the Cat Management Act 2009, a landholder or someone acting on their behalf may trap, seize or humanely

35

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destroy any cat found on their property if that property is:- being used for primary production relating to livestock on rural land; or,- more than one kilometre from the nearest residence; or,- subject to a conservation covenant under the Nature Conservation Act 2002.Visit the ISB website for further information about invasive species www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/invasivespecies

Taxidermy

Wildlife Rangers would like to take the opportunity to remind all persons practicing Taxidermy that as per Regulations 55(2), of the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010 that unless a person has permission of the Secretary a person must not carry out Taxidermy.Penalty: fine not exceeding 100 penalty unitsFurther as per Regulation55 (1) of the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010, a license

is required to undertake Taxidermy on a commercial basis. All licence conditions must be complied with.Penalty: fine not exceeding 100 penalty unitsRegulation55(3) of the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010 defines ‘Commercial purpose’ as meaning; the purpose of sale, processing, manufacture or any other purpose that is directed to gain or reward.Please note that all commercial Taxidermist licenses expire after 1 year and the re-application for another licence is the responsibility of the licence holder. For full details relating to the mandatory legal requirements to undertake Taxidermy please refer to PART 4 TAXIDERMY Regulations 55, 56, 57, 58 of the Wildlife (General) Regulations 2010 at http://www.thelaw.tas.gov.auTo obtain information on applying for a commercial Taxidermist licence please contact 03 6165 4305.

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