Building Capacity for Complementary Pest Animal Control
Building Capacity for Complementary Pest Animal Control
Capacity to Deliver
The issue
Across our region there are currently programs for broadscale coordinated aerial and ground baiting of wild dogs, coordinated local fox baiting, responsive feral pig baiting and trapping and reactive trapping of wild dogs. These programs are engaging significant numbers of landholders, both public and private
Shooting as an additional method of control is being undertaken but with no program to build the capacity nor adopt new technologies to make this complementary control technique more effective and efficient.
The solution
Girls with Guns Workshops – 2 workshops where participants completed Firearms Safety Training, successfully passed the Firearms Safety Test and demonstrated ability to safely handle and discharge a firearm.
Young Guns Workshop – participants completed Firearms Safety Training, successfully passed the Firearms Safety Test for minors, and demonstrated ability to safely handle a firearm.
Deer in the Headlights – Presenter Stuart Boyd-Law, Pest Animal Control & Training, covered identification, habits and habitats as well as control methods for deer. Peter West, NSW Department of Primary Industries provided a pre-recorded video presentation around the topic of pest animal monitoring and using the Feral Scan app.
Exclusion Fencing Event – Presentations included: Exclusion fencing why, where & how – overview and experiences with exclusion fencing for wild dogs; Design and cost of exclusion fencing; Exclusion fence types including Weston fencing; Exclusion fencing for Biosecurity and Native Vegetation Management and clearing for exclusion fences
Shot in the Dark: Night Vision & Thermal Imaging for Pest Animal Control – 2 events giving an overview of night vision and thermal imaging technology, pros & cons of each, safety and operational considerations and how to get best value. Demonstration of a wide range of night vision and thermal image models for participants to see, handle and evaluate.
The impact
The project contributed to regional pest animal management goals to increase community awareness of pest animals and their impact and improve community engagement and participation in the delivery of coordinated pest animal management activities for improved outcomes by:
* Delivered seven (7) activities to a total of 122 participants
* Article in GLENRAC newsletter Apr-Jun 2022 distributed to more than 1200 addresses
* Information about the project and project events on the GLENRAC website glenrac.org.au
* Four (4) inclusions in Glen Innes Examiner weekly GLENRAC advertorial
* 15 social media posts on GLENRAC Facebook and Instagram
Key facts
- 7 events delivered for 122 participants
- 18 rural women completed Firearms Safety Certificate
- 12 young people eligible for Minors Firearms Permit
- 7 partners in project delivery