Hunting
Hunting is one of the major reasons to own a firearm in Queensland and is an activity strongly supported by the SSAA.
Our members are required to conduct themselves in a safe and ethical manner while hunting, to ensure that the future of recreational hunting and the shooting sports in general is protected.
A hunter needs to understand and follow the principles of ethical hunting and SSAA members are required to abide by our Hunting Code of Ethics. They should also always display an appreciation and adherence to sustainable wildlife management practices and obey all specific game and hunting laws.
Two of the most popular ways to get involved with hunting as an SSAA Queensland member are through the Conservation & Wildlife Management (CWM) program [http://cwm.ssaaqld.org.au], or the Farmer Assist program [https://farmerassist.com.au/]
Only pest animals, including Feral Pigs, Feral Cats and Dogs, Hares, Foxes, Rabbits, Feral Goats, Chital, Fallow and Hog Deer, and Dingoes, may be hunted in Queensland.
Hunting is restricted to privately owned land, with the landholder’s express permission. Hunting on Crown Land (including in State Forests and National Parks) is NOT PERMITTED in Queensland.
- Having first obtained a landholder’s permission to shoot on their property, members should consider themselves to be invited guests
- Members must obey the rules of safe firearms handling and diplomatically yet firmly insist others to do the same.
- Members must obey relevant hunting laws and regulations and diplomatically yet firmly insist others do the same.
- Members should support game conservation programs and the sustainable use of wildlife.
- Most importantly, members must pass on to others, including youngsters, the proper attitudes towards game management and conservation and the skills of safe firearms ownership, which are the hallmarks of the sporting shooter.
RULES OF HUNTING ETIQUETTE
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- Leave gates as you find them
- Ask permission before lighting cooking fires
- Keep cooking fires as small as possible
- Put your fires out properly before leaving
- Keep clear of stock routes
- Drive only on defined tracks
- Be especially careful with target identification and danger zones if spotlighting
- Keep away from water troughs
- Never contaminate stock water with soaps
- Never gather firewood or use a chainsaw without prior permission
- Take your rubbish away with you
- Ensure the property owner is well aware of your movements
- If you are successful on your hunting trip, offer to share your game with the land owner
- Report any suspicious or unusual events to the land owner
- Don’t keep returning to the property with new people
- Respect and look after the property as if it were your own
Hunters are encouraged to read the Model Code Of Practice For The Welfare Of Animals: Feral Livestock Animals booklet, available free in .pdf format here: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/livestock/animal-welfare/feral-code