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2017 worst NT waterfowl season ever

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 2:20 pm
by jonr
Staring 27 October - bag limit of 3!!!

Re: Worse waterfowl season ever

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 2:42 pm
by Jer
Pretty poop house.

"This year’s Waterfowl Season will run for eight weeks with daily bag limits of three magpie geese. The season will commence on 27 October and run till 23 December. Bag limits for ducks will remain unchanged at 10 per day."

Re: Worse waterfowl season ever

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 3:14 pm
by Matt Flynn
Will be a bit of surprise for NT Field and Game. Interesting to hear what they say about it.

Re: Worse waterfowl season ever

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 3:56 pm
by nomad
i thought that they were in record numbers a year or two ago? what happened

Re: Worse waterfowl season ever

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 4:44 pm
by Matt Flynn
Here's the govt release ...

Waterfowl hunting season to open October 27

Press release - August 24, 2017


The Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, Lauren Moss, today announced the 2017 Waterfowl Hunting season dates and conditions to protect seriously depleted magpie goose numbers.

“The NT’s magpie goose population is the lowest on record at 725,000. This is a dramatic 45% reduction on 2016 and only a quarter of the 2012 population,” Minister Moss said.

“This year’s Waterfowl Season will run for eight weeks with daily bag limits of three magpie geese. The season will commence on 27 October and run till 23 December. Bag limits for ducks will remain unchanged at 10 per day. These conditions will be reassessed prior to next season.

“The scientific research and analysis is clear - action must be taken now to allow the magpie goose population to recover. If we do not take action now there is a risk that future seasons may have to be cancelled.

“The Territory Labor Government promised that our environmental decisions would be based on science, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

“The previous CLP government was encouraged to take firm action in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 – and either ignored the advice or put in measures that did not go far enough. Had the CLP listened to the expert scientific evidence it is possible we would not be taking the steps we are today.

“The Territory's natural environment is one of our greatest assets. We are strongly connected to our land in many ways - it shapes our identity and gives us our unique perspective on life. We need to ensure we are protecting and preserving our flora and fauna for this and future generations.”

“The science underpinning this decision is accurate and rigorous,” Dr Alaric Fisher, Executive Director, Flora and Fauna Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said.

“The decrease in magpie geese has been both rapid and alarming; action must be taken now to sustain the population of magpie geese.

“The Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted a comprehensive and systematic aerial survey across the Top End’s floodplains in April and May this year and has estimated the 2017 magpie goose population as 725,000, just over half of what it was last year.

“The decline is largely due to a series of Wet seasons that have been unfavourable for nesting, either with well below average total rainfall, or with long periods with minimal rainfall, especially in 2012/13 and 2015/16.

All non-aboriginal waterfowl hunters are required to obtain a waterfowl hunting permit prior to hunting. Aboriginal Territorians will not be affected by these changes.

Not having a permit may result in legal action being taken against persons hunting without a permit.

Permits will only be issued from the Parks and Wildlife Commission Permits Office at Jape Homemaker Village, Millner, between the hours of 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, or online at https://nt.gov.au/leisure/hunting-and-shooting

Applications can be submitted in person at the Permits Office, or by mail, fax or email.

Applications must be accompanied by the $20 annual fee or $80 fee for a five year permit. Hunters need only provide their Shooter’s Licence number and Driver’s Licence number, a copy of these is not required.

You can call the Permits Office on telephone 08 8999 4486 for more information.

Re: Worse waterfowl season ever

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 5:17 pm
by qiksix
not even worth the drive......

Re: Worse waterfowl season ever

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 5:38 pm
by Jer
“The NT’s magpie goose population is the lowest on record at 725,000. This is a dramatic 45% reduction on 2016 and only a quarter of the 2012 population,” Minister Moss said.
“The scientific research and analysis is clear - action must be taken now to allow the magpie goose population to recover. If we do not take action now there is a risk that future seasons may have to be cancelled.
“The decrease in magpie geese has been both rapid and alarming; action must be taken now to sustain the population of magpie geese.
Sounds like a pretty bad situation..
Aboriginal Territorians will not be affected by these changes.
Ah, right... Only bad enough to affect non-aboriginal Territorians.

Re: Worse waterfowl season ever

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 5:59 pm
by Matt Flynn
The hunters didn't shoot that many.

So they have either moved on, which they can do, or habitat/climate/disease has smashed them.

Re: Worse waterfowl season ever

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:53 pm
by AJay
plenty of reports from over in queensland of greatly increased numbers of geese over the last few years, giving farmers grief. My old man has seen them as far south as logan. I wonder if the survey took into account population shift as well as decline. Birds possibly moving to greener pastures as a result of poor wet seasons in the last 5 years or so.

Re: Worse waterfowl season ever

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 5:07 am
by Matt Flynn
From NT Field and Game ...

This decision by Minister Moss has come completely out of the blue and without any consultation with NT Field and Game.

NTFGA have not been consulted by the Department of Environment and Natural resources at all regarding the magpie goose population figures, season duration or bag limit.

There is no restriction on the indigenous harvest nor has there been any suggestion that Aboriginal people reduce their take of geese or eggs from the nest. NTFGA asked what extra resources were going to be directed to weed management that protects magpie goose nesting sites and was confronted with blank faces.

Hunters are the 'low hanging fruit' to be plucked and deliver wildlife management outcomes.

Bart Irwin, spokesman for NT Field and Game said we have been 'screwed'. He said hunters must band together now, contact Minister Lauren Moss and politely and courteously convey their disappointment. Her email address is [email protected]

This will damage hunter tourism in the NT, which was just beginning to flourish. Lauren Moss is also the Minister for Tourism in the NT.

Re: Worse waterfowl season ever

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 7:56 am
by Rug
Why should NTFGA be consulted? The Minister has obviously been given science based advice on what is sustainable and has followed that advice. I'm pretty sure the Minister would know this was not going to be a popular decision but her responsibility goes well beyond that.

Re: Worse waterfowl season ever

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 1:06 pm
by dannett
Rug wrote:Why should NTFGA be consulted? The Minister has obviously been given science based advice on what is sustainable and has followed that advice. I'm pretty sure the Minister would know this was not going to be a popular decision but her responsibility goes well beyond that.
Obviously, the minister hasn't based their decision on sustainable targets but rather their political agendas. Else the limits would apply to both indigenous and non-indigenous Australians (or at least limit the former to strictly traditional hunting methods, no firearms, 4wd etc).

Also, the NTFGA might have had other suggestions that could suit hunters better, such as allowing a higher bag limit but reduce the duration of the season to keep the overall take the same. This could appease people who feel that it's "not even worth the drive......" and lessen the likely hood that those who go exceed their bag limit to compensate.

It would appear that the minister has chosen to consider the needs of one interest group but not another. That is not representing your electorate, but rather trying to keep your butt on a seat.

Re: Worse waterfowl season ever

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 1:47 pm
by Jer
Rug wrote:Why should NTFGA be consulted? The Minister has obviously been given science based advice on what is sustainable and has followed that advice. I'm pretty sure the Minister would know this was not going to be a popular decision but her responsibility goes well beyond that.
NTFGA could expect to be consulted much the same as AFANT and the NT Seafood Council are and expect to be consulted on fisheries matters.

Re: Worse waterfowl season ever

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 8:25 pm
by Nepenthe
Does anyone know if the recently approved commercial harvest of Magpie Geese will be effected by the restrictions or the pest eradication permits issued to mango farmers?

Re: Worse waterfowl season ever

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 8:42 pm
by Jer
Nepenthe wrote:Does anyone know if the recently approved commercial harvest of Magpie Geese will be effected by the restrictions or the pest eradication permits issued to mango farmers?
No, they won't be affected according to an article I read. I'll try to find the link.
Edit: The link is an NT News article.
NT News wrote:Permits to kill 5000 geese under crop protection strategies will be issued. Commercial permits will already granted will be honoured.