Belly,

Coming from the land I lean your way. However conservation hunting will keep the numbers down. It makes sound environmental and economic sense, as well as being infinitely preferable for humane reasons. As applies in so many other countries, there is nothing dreadful about game consumption and Chital venison is rather tasty with pine nuts, a red wine sauce and baked sweet potato. No added growth hormones either.

I am not talking about penned stock but free range, wild. The government lands are where numbers become excessive and recreational hunting would be ideal, but is banned outside of NSW (Game Council in place and working successfully). I would add that government land, especially the inviolate reserves is usually overgrown with exotic plants such as Lantana and prickly pear as well. All down to the rigidity of zealous, but impractical, 'experts' with new environmental degrees whose first solution is to keep people out.

BTW, it wouldn't worry me if brumby was harvested by recreational hunters for home consumption or for pet food. The United States Department of Agriculture promotes the eating of horse and goat meats which are low in fat. I read somewhere that the US is the number one exporter of horse meat. You are right about the destructiveness of horses on Australian soils and particularly alpine areas. My main interest is in reducing the numbers in case of entry of exotic pests and diseases.

After re-reading all of Brett's posts again, it is obvious that he has not got a clue about Brumbies, or he is deliberatly spinning misinformation. No ammount of rational and practical information will alter his perceived concepts, which are incorrect.

As stated before I support the capture and slaughter of brumbies when and where they need to be culled or eliminated. whether the meat is exported or not is illrelivent. As also stated, some of the better types may be sold to willing private buyers after capture.

Brett simply plays the emotional card, because it suits his agenda

The answer is simple.....WHAT does not belong here...do with as you please....and make a buck if you can.

Now if more people had accesses to gun lic's...( now I wish I had not handed mine in ) maybe the feral problem would be such a......can you fill in the rest of the form?:)

If I could only market CaneToads.

BLUE

With one of these...a good shot can take the tick right of the nose of anything:)

http://tinyurl.com/24nmwtf

This was in my early years of life......now I just sit on the fence of life.

Its all commonsense.....

BLU

Green.Is now the thinking's...and well with some understanding like this thread.....guns for the smart and well balanced can help this situation. Are these horses helping our wild-life? if not...you know what to do.

Bang!

BLUE

Cornflower I support conservation hunting, always and firmly.
But let us not kid our selves.
Some , maybe not the official shooters groups, bought big problems and still do.
PIG hunters bring them to areas they do not exist in then release them for future sport, at the expense of the environment.
I have seen responsible sporting shooters fight this practice.
Those Brumbys herds,horses running wild and free,those who improve the blood lines then harvest are farmers too.
Some end up being ridden others are dog meat, few would pass export rules.
Conservation shooters can and do reduce numbers but not eradicate, it is not in their interests to do that.
I know of no Ferrel animal. in any country, that has acclimatised without damage to its new environment.
Far worse than any are cats foxes and dogs gone wild,what a difference this country would find without them.