Update No 3 – Progress to date

On Tuesday 11th a meeting was held with representatives from Parks Victoria (PV)and Game Management Authority (GMA) at which the implementation plan for the balloted hunting was outlined.  A subsequent presentation was  made to members as part of our regular meeting last Tuesday night (18 th Oct).

The Executive understands this is not what members would like to be reading but as we’ve stated all along we will continue to work with Park Victoria to resolve issues as they arise.

A summary of the plan is as follows:

1. Hunters will be drawn at a ballot on 10 Dec 2016
2. All successful hunters will be issued with the necessary authorization to hunt hog deer on Snake Island
3. A maximum of 8 hunters will be permitted on the island per ballot period Ie 56 hunters in total
4. A total of 7 balloted periods have been scheduled between Feb & May 2017 and will exclude weekends, public holidays and school holidays
5. Proposed dates were provided but as they have not been finalized I don’t think it appropriate to publish at this time. Dates will be provided after the ballot is completed in Dec.
6. Three “no go” areas will be closed to hunting.  Swashway Jetty, Huts and the gulf. Exact boundries are still under negotiation.
7. All hunters will be required to attend a safety briefing on the Sunday prior to their balloted hunting period.
8. Each hunter will receive two tags or for one male and one female deer.
9. An optional education weekend conducted by ADA will be offered to all successful hunters in Jan 2017
10. GMA, Vic Police and PV will conduct enforcement patrols both during and outside the ballot period
11. Hunter will be able to camp anywhere on the island except for no go areas. (carry in /carry out policy)
12. Harvested deer must be presented at a checking station within 24hrs of the completion of the hunters ballot period.

Communication Strategy

1. Media release prior to the hunting period ie Jan/Feb 2017
2. Successful hunters and balloted periods will be published on the GMA website
3. Visitor signage will be posted at the swashway jetty, huts and other locations to be finalized
4. Hunter signage will be posted at no go areas and key tracks and junctions
5. All hunters will receive a package of information including maps, tide times etc
6. Information for the non hunting public will be posted on the GMA website

Measures of success ( Trial Evaluation)

1. Safe Delivery
2. Clear and concise information provided to hunters and the non hunting public
3. Minimizing the impact on other users
4. Providing a positive hunting experience
5. Maximizing animal welfare
6. Sustainability

Information will be collected on reported incidents, inspections and surveys of hunters and other key stakeholders.

I encourage SICA members and subscribers to review the above information and to make any comments or suggestions via the this blog and then all comments will be available to others accessing the website.  If you wish to make private comment then do so via the email.