Early days yet, Paul, early days!

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/national-parks-open-to-shooters-named-20131031-2wkjp.html

"Environment Minister Robyn Parker has announced the 12 NSW national parks and reserves which will be opened to licensed amateur hunters for the first time.

Ms Parker told Parliament on Thursday ''skilled volunteers'' will be allowed into the parks and reserves to shoot feral animals under strict supervision by National Parks and Wildlife Officers in a three-year trial starting in 30 days.

The parks are Cocopara Nature Reserve near Griffith; Yathong Nature Reserve and Nombinnie Nature Reserve and state conservation area near Cobar; Murrumbidgee Valley National Park and state conservation area near Balranald; Goonoo National Park and state conservation area and Coolbaggie Nature Reserve near Dubbo; Gundabooka National Park and state conservation area near Bourke and Woomargama National Park near Albury.

Areas in which shooting of feral animals is taking place will be closed and the public given at least 48 hours notice."

Our thanks to the Greens, ably led by that great hunting enthusiast David Shoebridge, without whose help this happy result would not have been possible.