http://www.gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au/

Hunters in NSW or planning to hunt there. Check out the Game Council of NSW website using the link above.

"WHAT IS CONSERVATION HUNTING?

Conservation hunting is hunting undertaken to enhance overall environmental outcomes by managing the impact of game species and lessening the populations of feral animals on our natural and agricultural environments.

The concept and practice of conservation hunting has always been close to the hearts of responsible hunters. Until the establishment of the Game Council, New South Wales had not taken full advantage of the capabilities of private hunters on both public and private land, in an organised, regulated way. Hunting is an important and legitimate tool in nature conservation management, particularly as it relates to over-populations of introduced species."

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ABOUT GAME COUNCIL NSW

Game Council NSW is a statutory authority of the NSW Parliament, established under the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002 and its associated Regulation of 2004.

A major objective of Game Council NSW is to harness the efforts of licensed, accredited hunters to assist in the reduction of some of the nation's worst pests such as pigs, goats, foxes and rabbits.

With the establishment of Game Council NSW, a number of key developments have taken place in NSW:

1. The introduction of the NSW Game Hunting Licence System

2. The production of the State's first "Hunter Education Handbook" produced at government level

3. The declaration of 180 State forests and two Crown Land areas for hunting by holders of a NSW Game Hunting Licence

The new laws relating to licensing for hunters progressively came into effect from September 2004.

Click here for more information about the Act and Regulation.

Game Council Objectives

Game Council's objectives are:

(a) to provide for the effective management of introduced species of game animals, and

(b) to promote responsible and orderly hunting of those game animals on public and private land, and of certain species of pest animals on public land.

The Council

Being an organisation that represents licensed hunters with the aim of harnessing the potential of conservation hunting, Game Council NSW obviously has strong representation from the hunting community on its Council, which comprises 16 members.

Reporting directly to the Minister for Primary Industries, the Council is also represented by wildlife management scientists, Rural Lands Protection Boards, the Australian Veterinary Association and public land managers.

The Council has also established a Committee of Management, an Ethics, Education and Training Committee and a Scientific & Research Committee to provide advice and expertise on a range of issues such as hunter education, ethics, research opportunities and animal welfare.

Half of the Council members have been appointed from a wide cross section of hunting clubs and associations. The Game Council operations team comprises 11 full time staff, including a Chief Executive Officer.

Game Council Functions

Game Council NSW has the following functions:

• Represent the interests of licensed, responsible game hunters
• Administer a system of game hunting licences
• Make recommendations on the gazettal of public lands for hunting
• Provide advice to the Minister on game management
• Liaise with other Agencies in regard to feral and pest animal control
• Promote and fund research and conservation projects on rural lands for the effective management of game and feral animals.

Game Council NSW Annual Report: Please email requests to info@gamecouncil.nsw.gov.au