Foxy,

You emphasised hunting should be done by professional shooters, you mentioned them twice, go read your own post.

Hi Issy,

The report does not contain any tangible references to the contribution made by fishing and hunting to the NSW economy, it states; "It is difficult to estimate the economic value of these sectors because game harvest and fishing catch are not sold and paid for in markets, unlike the catch or produce of other primary industries." One cannot dispute there is an economic benefit from these activities. Like all potentially dangerous activities the economic benefits have to be weighed against the social consequences. If the only consideration was economic then hard drug use would be legalized, there being no social consideration.

As for "hunting" it can be divided into two categories, one those professionals controlling feral pests, and two recreational amateur hunters. The professional use of firearms is easily controlled and has real economic benefits. I do not have a problem with professional management of feral pests by professional people. The problems are with the second group of weekend warriors out to get their jollies from shooting animals. This needs to be tightly controlled as the negative social consequences in my view override any perceived economic benefit.

p/s Have you joined 'Strike Force Venari' set up to combat illegal hunting? "In conjunction with the 'shut the gate on illegal hunting' program, the DPI GLU, continues to detect, deter and disrupt illegal hunting in NSW."

Paul,

You didn’t enter the hunting segment where there is much more information.

The. Members of the SSAA support ‘Strike Force Veneto’ and.much of the information on which they act comes from SSAA members.
Locally we report all suspected.illegal hunting.

The shooting sports and hunting are very safe activities.

Issy,

If hunting is such a safe activity as you claim, along with the suggestion that these amateurs are law abiding, why is it necessary to form a task force to investigate illegal activity? I didn't find any references that your SSAA mob are involved in any "good deeds" I can only take your word for that.

I remind you how leading NSW gunnie Tony Azzi claimed wombats were feral pests after being caught shooting several. He called it responsible land management. How does the Azzi view hold up with the gun toting community? I'm sure he's not alone in his opinion.

Paul,
The National Coronial Information System reports 3231 sport and recreation deaths for the period 2001 to 2017, an average of 190 per year, of those deaths 33 were due to target and precision sports, shooting sports accounted for 14 of these, an average of 1 per year.

Paul,
Sorry to be misleading that should be ‘16 ‘ above.