Toni,

Speaking of hard evidence, why no DNA links to western feral pigs in the anecdotal evidence that you provide?

Surely the finders of "imported" feral animals would, first of all, have a test done to determine the origins of the animals so found?

Here is a typical example of some doubtful conclusions

"WORKING with neighbours the National Parks and Wildlife Service is celebrating the success of a feral pig control program in Yuraygir National Park, which has seen over 100 pigs culled between Red Rock and Yamba this year....Combined with recent improvements in trapping techniques, the program has seen 112 feral pigs trapped," Mr Lugg said.

"Feral pig numbers are generally low in the area compared with western areas, although there have been more regular sightings in the last few years", he said.

"Some of this is thought to be the result of deliberate seeding of areas by unscrupulous hunters.

"Feral pigs in the coastal area are highly mobile and there is abundant feed and water, which allows the animals to range over large areas," Mr Lugg said.

"Feral pigs can produce a lot of young in good conditions and we will continue working to control the population to reduce the impacts on both park neighbours and the park environment including important species such as the coastal emu," he said."

Now note this:
"Some of this is thought to be the result of deliberate seeding of areas by unscrupulous hunters."

Pure speculation, if as he says, feral pigs breed frequently and the coastal conditions are conducive to such breeding, then why would anyone want to introduce outside pigs?

Read the full article at:
http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/news/feral-pigs-culled-from-yuraygir-np/2484443/

Issy for your edification.

"Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) (also called the red fox and European fox) were first introduced to Australia in around 1871. A small number were shipped from England for the purposes of sport hunting, and released into the wild in southern Victoria around Geelong, and also in South Australia."
Note; FOR THE PURPOSES OF SPORTS HUNTING.

There is no other explanation for the introduction of foxes in Australia other than for sport hunting. Your minuscule cull of these feral pests your ancestors (figuratively speaking) introduced is small recompense for the untold environmental damage you (collectively) gunnies have inflicted on the rest of society.

Issy, I'll agree the majority of shooters, you included, are responsible people, but to say there is not an element of yahoo's with guns is denying the obvious.

You know, I've told you before, I originate from the Central West of NSW, and many of my family were farmers. My Uncle John had a large cattle property, with some sheep and wheat on the black soil near Cassilis (ever been there?). The uncle, was no Greenie, but he had to stop shooters and campers coming on his land, because a small minority were irresponsible. Gates left open, fences driven through, muddied water holes, rubbish left at camp sites. Even had stock shot, one of the worse things was people shooting the insulators off the power lines, cost plenty to fix. For his own good he had to stop all trespassing.

I also worked with 3 young blokes who went pig shooting out west, from what they told me I wouldn't give them a water pistol to play with, certainly not a loaded gun. But again they would be a minority. My son (remember the one who lost his ducks to foxes) was a responsible shooter, as far as I know.

Gee Issy, your mob are certainly flushed with the cash!

How Is Mise wants us to imagine hunters:

http://i.pinimg.com/236x/a1/1b/e6/a11be639acc47619b68e62d4113031fe--bear-cubs-canada-eh.jpg

What everyone knows hunters are really like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3RJUMm-hd0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G2UuRP_d4U

See, the problem with the line of propaganda you try and advance is that will only work in the absence of other information. If you were the only hunter any of us had ever encountered, you'd be able to spin us the yarn you're failing to at the moment. But I, at least, do not live under a rock. I've met a few blokes that go pigging; I know what they are like and the sort of things they get up too. These are not people who give the slightest crap about the environment; it simply doesn't enter into their thinking. They just want to kill things. Pretty much the polar opposite of the gentleman conservationist that you'd have us believe every shooter is.

It seems to me, Is Mise, that the best thing you could do try and improve the image of shooters is not waste your time blowing your own trumpet about how green you personally are; but to work towards eradicating those bad apples within the ranks of shooters who are tarnishing the image of all shooters with their irresponsible behaviour. To me, they would seem to be more your enemy than any of us wet-blanket lefty liberals.

Paul,

"Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) (also called the red fox and European fox) were first introduced to Australia in around 1871. A small number were shipped from England for the purposes of sport hunting, and released into the wild in southern Victoria around Geelong, and also in South Australia."
Note; FOR THE PURPOSES OF SPORTS HUNTING."

Quite true, but slightly misleading as they were imported and released for hunting on horseback with hounds, not with guns; hunting with guns came later when the fox had become a pest.

It's the 'ancestors' of these people that you should blame,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2tFZhn1h5U

Then on the conservation front, there is SSAA's involvement with Devils' Ark.

Paul,

Where are you?

Are not the Greens involved in the Devil Ark program?

The SSAA certainly are.