1. Mission Statement

The Australian Hunters Club’s mission is to promote hunting and shooting as a safe, ethical, fun, inclusive, and family-friendly sport or recreation. Furthermore, the club promotes hunting as beneficial to the economy, environment, community health, and conservation.

2. Purpose of Our Rules

To maintain responsible behavior and the making of informed decisions by members of the hunting club.

3. Coverage of Our Rules

This policy applies to all persons who are involved with the activities of the Australian Hunters Club whether they are in a paid or unpaid/voluntary capacity including:

• Members of the Australian Hunters Club.
• Persons appointed or elected to boards, committees, and subcommittees.
• Employees of the Australian Hunters Club.
• Members of the Executive.
• Visitors to Australian Hunters Club events.

4. Code of Conduct

Australian Hunters Club members must adhere to the following requirements, along with any future requirements added to this document as an appendix. Any breach of these requirements may result in suspension of membership or expulsion from the Club.

Good Image of Hunting and Shooting Sports

It is the responsibility of a Club member to do all in their power to improve and preserve the good image of hunting, shooting sports, and the Australian Hunters Club.

Safe Handling of Firearms

Where firearms are used, the rules of the relevant State or Territory for safe handling of firearms must be followed. As a general guide for the safe handling of firearms, the following must be followed:

• Treat a Gel Blaster as if it were a “Real” Firearm.
• Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
• Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
• Keep your finger off the trigger unless you are intending to shoot.
• Always wear proper protective equipment such as safety glasses, ear protection, and enclosed shoes.
• Know your target and what is beyond your target.
• Keep the firearm unloaded when not in use.
• Only shoot the firearm where you are legally allowed to shoot the firearm.
• Do not use a firearm whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Store firearms and ammunition as per state regulations.

5. Particular Rules for Documentation

Reporting of Complaints

Australian Hunters Club prides itself on a positive community image and a focus on safety. To ensure this positive image is maintained, the Australian Hunters Club must maintain a very high standard of integrity. To maintain this standard of integrity, the Australian Hunters Club has a written complaint system.

In the event that a member or Staff of the Australian Hunters Club has breached our constitution or relevant laws, regulations, guidelines, or who have failed to hold hunting or shooting sports in good image, the complainant is to fill out the record of complaint form (attached in Appendix) and submit it to the President of the Australian Hunters Club in a timely manner.

• The evidence and information contained in the record of complaint will be considered by at least two (2) impartial board members and upon a decision being made, action will be taken as per our Disciplinary Sanctions Policy.
• If a criminal offense is identified, the relevant enforcement body will be notified of the alleged offense and provided any information the Australian Hunters Club holds which may assist in the investigation.
• The record of complaint form and a record of any action taken will be maintained by the Australian Hunters Club for a period of seven (7) years.

Incident Reporting

In the event of any action that results in property damage, injury, death, or near miss whilst undertaking any hunting or shooting activity under the banner of the Australian Hunters Club, the involved members or staff MUST fill out an incident report form (attached in Appendix) with all relevant details and submit it to the President of the Australian Hunters Club within twenty-four (24) hours.

• If it is not possible to submit the written form within twenty-four (24) hours due to the remote or isolated area the incident occurred, the member must make phone contact with an Australian Hunters Club board member within the twenty-four (24) hour period providing all relevant details and submit the form as soon as reasonably possible.
• The incident report form will be reviewed by Australian Hunters Club board members to identify if any breach of conduct, laws, regulations, guidelines, etc., have occurred and if a record of complaint should also be furnished. The record of complaint will then be processed as a Disciplinary Sanction matter.
• The incident report will also be reviewed to identify any areas where safety could be improved and, if possible, put in place policy and guidelines to address any areas of concern.

Pre-Hunt Checklist

Members of the Australian Hunters Club are to complete a pre-hunt checklist at the beginning of every hunt.

• The member is to maintain the checklist until the successful completion of every hunt.
• If no reportable incident occurs during the hunt, the member may dispose of the pre-hunt checklist.
• If a reportable incident occurs during the hunt, the member is to furnish their pre-hunt checklist with the incident report form.

6. Particular Rules for Privacy

Privacy Policy

The Australian Hunters Club collects personal information from members and from non-members wishing to use Australian Hunters Club facilities. In many cases, the Australian Hunters Club is under a legal obligation, arising most often under the Weapons Act 1990 (Cth) (Qld), and other Acts, to collect personal information, to retain this for lengthy periods, and to make it available to Police upon request.

The Australian Hunters Club is exempt from the application of the privacy principles under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). However, the Australian Hunters Club strives to comply with best privacy practices in the conduct of its operations and the collection, storage, and access to information. The Australian Hunters Club will:

1. Only collect personal information from members and non-members wishing to use Australian Hunters Club facilities that is necessary for the conduct of Australian Hunters Club operations and as required under any law, in particular, the Weapons Act 1990 (Qld) and associated regulations.
2. Use fair and lawful means to collect personal information.
3. Ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that the personal information collected is accurate, complete, and up to date.
4. Not disclose personal information without the explicit consent of the person concerned, unless required to do so under applicable legislation or at the request of Police or other law enforcement agencies.
5. Not use personal information for a purpose other than for the purpose for which it is collected, unless the purpose is directly related to the original purpose and members reasonably expect the information may be used for this other purpose.
6. Take reasonable steps to protect personal information by storing it in a secure place and/or ensuring electronically held information is secure.
7. Prevent unauthorised access, modification, misuse, or loss of personal information by putting in place appropriate policies and procedures that explain which members can access the information and under what circumstances. a) Information collected and held by the Australian Hunters Club may be accessed by the following persons for the purposes of carrying out Australian Hunters Club operations:
   1. The person to whom the information relates;
   2. The members of the Management Committee for the time being.
8. Afford members access to his/her information upon request and address any request for correction of personal information promptly.

7. Particular Rules for Discipline

Disciplinary Sanctions

Our Club may take disciplinary action against anyone found to have breached our constitution, rules, relevant laws, regulations, guidelines, or who have failed to hold hunting or shooting sports in good image.

• Any disciplinary actions taken under our constitution or rules must be applied within any relevant state or federal laws, be fair and reasonable, and be based on the evidence and information presented.
• The evidence and information will be considered by at least two (2) impartial board members with the burden of proof being the balance of probabilities.

Possible sanctions that may be taken include but are not limited to:

1. A direction that the individual makes a verbal and/or written apology.
2. Counseling of the individual to address behavior.
3. Suspension or termination of membership.
4. Any other form of discipline that our Club considers reasonable and appropriate.

Appeals

The complainant or respondent may be entitled to lodge an appeal against a sanction to the President of the Australian Hunters Club or VCAT/QCAT/NCAT. Such an appeal should be made in the first instance to the President of the Australian Hunters Club in writing within 21 days of the sanction being handed down.

8. Particular Rules for Social Media

Overview and Purpose

Social media is changing the way we communicate. This policy has been developed to inform our members and staff about using social media, so people feel enabled to participate, while being mindful of their responsibilities and obligations. In particular, this policy provides practical guidance allowing all parties to benefit from the use of social media, while minimising potential risks and protecting those involved. This policy assists to establish a culture of openness, trust, and integrity in all online activities related to the Australian Hunters Club.

This policy contains Australian Hunters Club guidelines for our members and staff to engage in social media use. It also includes details of breaches of the policy. In circumstances where guidance about social media issues has not been given in this policy, we suggest you use common sense or seek out advice from those who have approved this policy.

Underlying Principles

This policy complements the Australian Hunters Club’s core values: The Australian Hunters Club’s goal is to provide its members with access to hunting and shooting for the purposes of sports and recreation. Further providing its members a community in which members can share, learn, teach, and grow skills and knowledge, in particular skills and knowledge related to hunting and shooting. The Australian Hunters Club will promote Hunting as a safe, ethical, fun, family-friendly, and responsible recreation. As well as promoting hunting as an ethical, sustainable, environmentally friendly, and a healthy meat source. The Australian Hunters Club will promote the conservation and environmental beneficial side to hunting. Hunters and shooters will promote participation in all shooting sports and promote all shooting sports as safe, fun, inclusive, and family-friendly sports.

Scope

Social media refers to any online tools or functions that allow people to communicate and/or share content via the internet.

This policy is applicable when using social media as:

1. An officially designated individual representing the Australian Hunters Club on social media; and
2. If you are posting content on social media in relation to the Australian Hunters Club that might affect the Australian Hunters Club’s business, products, services, events, sponsors, members, or reputation.

NOTE: This policy does not apply to the personal use of social media where it is not related to or there is no reference to the Australian Hunters Club or its business, competitions, participants, products, services, events, sponsors, members, or reputation. However, any misuse by you of social media in a manner that does not directly refer to the Australian Hunters Club may still be regulated by other policies, rules, or regulations of the Australian Hunters Club.

Using Social Media in an Official Capacity

You must be authorised by the Australian Hunters Club Executive team before engaging in social media as a representative of the Australian Hunters Club. To become authorised to represent the Australian Hunters Club in an official capacity, you must have permission from the Australian Hunters Club Executive team, read this policy, and have a signed copy of the policy filed as your agreement to abide by this policy.

As a part of the Australian Hunters Club community, you are an extension of the Australian Hunters Club brand. As such, the boundaries between when you are representing yourself and when you are representing the Australian Hunters Club can often be blurred. This becomes even more of an issue as you increase your profile or position within the Australian Hunters Club. Therefore, it is important that you represent both yourself and the Australian Hunters Club appropriately online at all times.

Guidelines

You must adhere to the following guidelines when using social media related to the Australian Hunters Club or its business, products, competitions, participants, services, events, sponsors, members, or reputation.

• Use common sense: Whenever you are unsure as to whether or not the content you wish to share is appropriate, seek advice from others before doing so or refrain from sharing the content to be on the safe side.
• Protecting your privacy: Be smart about protecting yourself and your privacy. When posting content online there is potential for that content to become publicly available through a variety of means, even if it was intended to be shared privately. Therefore, you should refrain from posting any content online that you would not be happy for anyone to see, even if you feel confident that a particular individual would never see it. Where possible, privacy settings on social media platforms should be set to limit access. You should also be cautious about disclosing your personal details.
• Honesty: Your honesty—or dishonesty—may be quickly noticed in the social media environment. Do not say anything that is dishonest, untrue, or misleading. If you are unsure, check the source and the facts before uploading or posting anything. The Australian Hunters Club recommends erring on the side of caution – if in doubt, do not post or upload. Do not post anonymously, using pseudonyms or false screen names. Be transparent and honest. Use your real name, be clear about who you are and identify any affiliations you have. If you have a vested interest in something you are discussing, point it out. If you make an endorsement or recommendation about something you are affiliated with, or have a close relationship with, you must disclose that affiliation. The web is not anonymous. You should assume that all information posted online can be traced back to you. You are accountable for your actions both on and offline, including the information you post via your personal social media accounts.
• Use of disclaimers: Wherever practical, include a prominent disclaimer stating who you work for or are affiliated with and that anything you publish is your personal opinion and that you are not speaking officially. This is good practice and is encouraged, but don’t count on it to avoid trouble – it may not have legal effect.
• Reasonable use: If you are an employee of the Australian Hunters Club, you must ensure that your personal use of social media does not interfere with your work commitments or productivity.
• Respect confidentiality and sensitivity: When using social media, you must maintain the privacy of the Australian Hunters Club’s confidential information. This includes information that is not publicly accessible, widely known, or not expected to be shared outside of the Australian Hunters Club. Remember, if you are online, you are on the record—much of the content posted online is public and searchable. Within the scope of your authorisation by the Australian Hunters Club, it is perfectly acceptable to talk about the Australian Hunters Club and have a dialogue with the community, but it is not okay to publish confidential information of the Australian Hunters Club. Confidential information includes things such as details about litigation, unreleased product information, and unpublished details about our financial information or trade secrets. When using social media, you should be considerate to others and should not post information when you have been asked not to, or where consent has not been sought and given. You must also remove information about another person if that person asks you to do so. Permission should always be sought if the use or publication of information is not incidental, but directly related to an individual. This is particularly relevant to publishing any information regarding minors. In such circumstances, parental or guardian consent is mandatory.
• Gaining permission when publishing a person’s identifiable image: You must obtain permission from an individual to use a direct, clearly identifiable image of that person. You should also refrain from posting any information or photos of a sensitive nature. This could include accidents, incidents, or controversial behavior. In every instance, you need to have consent of the owner of copyright in the image.
• Complying with applicable laws: Do not post or link to content that contains illegal or indecent content, including defamatory, vilifying, or misleading and deceptive content.
• Abiding by copyright laws: It is critical that you comply with the laws governing copyright in relation to material owned by others. The Australian Hunters Club owns copyrights and brands. You should never quote or use more than short excerpts of someone else’s work, and you should always attribute such work to the original author/source. It is good practice to link to others’ work rather than reproduce it.
• Discrimination, sexual harassment, and bullying: The public in general, and the Australian Hunters Club’s employees and members, reflect a diverse set of customs, values, and points of view. You must not post any material that is offensive, harassing, discriminatory, embarrassing, intimidating, sexually explicit, bullying, hateful, racist, sexist, or otherwise inappropriate.
• Avoiding controversial issues: Within the scope of your authorisation by the Australian Hunters Club, if you see misrepresentations made about the Australian Hunters Club in the media, you may point that out to the relevant authority in your Australian Hunters Club. Always do so with respect and with the facts. If you speak about others, make sure what you say is based on fact and does not discredit or belittle that party.
• Dealing with mistakes: If as an authorised poster for the Australian Hunters Club you make an error while posting on social media, be up front about the mistake and address it quickly. If you choose to modify an earlier post, make it clear that you have done so. If someone accuses the Australian Hunters Club of posting something improper (such as their copyrighted material or a defamatory comment about them), address it promptly and appropriately and if necessary, seek legal advice.
• Conscientious behavior and awareness of the consequences: Keep in mind that what you write is your responsibility, and failure to abide by these guidelines could put your employment and membership with the Australian Hunters Club at risk. You should always follow the terms and conditions for any third-party sites in which you participate.
• Branding and intellectual property of the Australian Hunters Club: You must not use any of the Australian Hunters Club’s intellectual property or imagery on your personal social media without prior approval from the Australian Hunters Club. The Australian Hunters Club’s intellectual property includes but is not limited to:
  • trademarks
  • logos
  • slogans
  • imagery which has been posted on the Australian Hunters Club official social media sites or website. You must not create either an official or unofficial Australian Hunters Club presence using the organisation’s trademarks or name without prior approval from the Australian Hunters Club. You must not imply that you are authorised to speak on behalf of the Australian Hunters Club unless you have been given official authorisation to do so by the Executive team. Where permission has been granted to create or administer an official social media presence for the Australian Hunters Club, you must adhere to the Australian Hunters Club Branding Guidelines.

Policy Breaches

Breaches of this policy include but are not limited to:

• Using the Australian Hunters Club’s name, motto, crest, and/or logo in a way that would result in a negative impact for the organisation, clubs, and/or its members.
• Posting or sharing any content that is abusive, harassing, threatening, demeaning, defamatory, or libelous.
• Posting or sharing any content that includes insulting, obscene, offensive, provocative, or hateful language.
• Posting or sharing any content in breach of the Australian Hunters Club’s anti-discrimination, racial discrimination, sexual harassment, or other similar policy.
• Posting or sharing any content that is a breach of any state or Commonwealth law.
• Posting or sharing any material to our social media channels that infringes the intellectual property rights of others.
• Posting or sharing material that brings, or risks bringing, the Australian Hunters Club, its affiliates, its sport, its members, or sponsors into disrepute. In this context, bringing a person or organisation into disrepute is to lower the reputation of that person or organisation in the eyes of the ordinary members of the public.

Reporting a Breach

If you notice inappropriate or unlawful content online relating to the Australian Hunters Club or any of its members, or content that may otherwise have been published in breach of this policy, you should report the circumstances immediately. To report a Breach of this policy, fill out a complaint record form.

Investigation

Alleged breaches of this social media policy may be investigated according to the Australian Hunters Club’s Constitution. Where it is considered necessary, the Australian Hunters Club may report a breach of this social media policy to police.

Disciplinary Process, Consequences, and Appeals

Depending on the circumstances, breaches of this policy may be dealt with in accordance with the disciplinary procedure contained in the Australian Hunters Club’s Constitution. Employees of the Australian Hunters Club who breach this policy may face disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment in accordance with the Australian Hunters Club Constitution or any other relevant policy.

9. Hunting Rules

Awareness of Relevant Legislation

It is the responsibility of a Club member to be aware of and comply with all relevant provisions of legislation relating to hunting, animal welfare, the use of firearms, and other weapons.

• This includes guidelines such as the National Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Non-Commercial Purposes. (Note: If protected species require management, the landowner must have a valid pest mitigation or destruction permit from the appropriate state government agency approving such management.)
• Examples of laws for NSW are the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002, Game and Feral Animal Control Regulation 2012, Firearms Act 1996, Weapons Prohibition Act 1998, and Crimes Act 1900.
• Examples of laws for QLD are: the Weapons Act 1990, Weapons Regulation 2016, and Weapons Categories Regulation 1997.
• Examples of laws for Victoria are: Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2012, Firearms Act 1996, and the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals in Hunting.
• (Note: there may be other laws and regulations relevant to particular places and animals i.e., the Queensland Bio Security Act 2014 and the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. It is the hunter’s and/or shooter’s responsibility to obtain awareness and understanding of such laws.)

Permission Required to Enter Land

A game hunting licence or membership to the Australian Hunters Club does not automatically authorise the holder of the licence to hunt on any land. The holder of a game hunting licence or Australian Hunters Club membership must not hunt on any land without the express authority of the occupier of the land. In some jurisdictions, this may need to be written permission. It is the hunter’s responsibility to ensure that they comply with all relevant laws and policy prior to hunting.

Target Identification and Safety

A game animal must not be fired at unless it can be clearly seen and identified, and the shot when taken poses no discernible risk of injury to any person or significant damage to any property.

Obligation to Avoid Suffering

An animal being hunted must not be inflicted with unnecessary pain. To achieve the aim of delivering a humane death to the hunted animal: (a) It must be targeted so that a humane kill is likely, and (b) It must be shot within the reasonably accepted killing range of the firearm and ammunition or bow and arrow being used, and (c) The firearm and ammunition, bow and arrow, or other thing used must be such as can reasonably be expected to humanely kill an animal of the target species.

Lactating Females with Dependent Young

If a lactating female is killed, every reasonable effort must be made to locate and humanely kill any dependent young.

Wounded Animals

If an animal is wounded, the hunter must take all reasonable steps to locate it, so that it can be killed quickly and humanely.

Disposal of Carcasses

If carcasses are not used for human or animal consumption, they must be disposed of as requested by the landholder and within relevant laws, regulations, guidelines, or policy.

• It is desirable to cut the stomach to speed up decomposition.
• Under no circumstances are carcasses to be dumped along public roads, on public land, or at Council tips, unless at a specified dead animal facility.

Blaze Orange

All persons hunting (Hunters and non-hunting companions) must wear at least 1 item of blaze orange clothing being on the upper body and clearly visible (i.e., not an under garment.)

Minor Hunters

• Minor hunters (over the age of 12 and under the age of 18) are able to apply for a Minors Game Hunting Licence. The licensed minor must hunt under the close personal supervision of a licensed person who is at least 18 years old. The minor hunter must also hold the same type of licence as the supervising adult hunter.

Minors Using Firearms

• If a minor (over the age of 12 and under the age of 18) hunter is using firearms, they must hold a Minors Firearms Training Permit, as well as a Minors Game Hunting Licence (NSW).
• If a minor (over the age of 11 and under the age of 18) is using a firearm, they must be under the close personal supervision of a licensed person who is at least 18 years old, who can take immediate control of the firearm (QLD).
• A child aged between 12 and 17 years of age may apply for a junior firearm licence in Victoria. A junior licence holder may only carry and use firearms under the immediate supervision of an adult with a current firearm licence for the same category of firearm. Anyone wishing to hunt game in Victoria must hold a current Game Licence. “Game” duck, deer, quail, pheasants, and partridges declared to be game in Victoria. Game Licences are managed by the Game Management Authority.

Non-Hunting Companions

Licensed hunters may have non-hunting companions with them while hunting game animals on private or public land (NSW); however, there are specific rules in each state covering what they can and can’t do. It is the hunter’s responsibility to ensure companions’ actions are within the law/rules.

10. Particular Rules Relating to Biosecurity

All members must ensure that they comply with the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014. To comply with this act, all members must take reasonable and practical measures to prevent or minimise the biosecurity risks associated with their activities or dealings with the carriers of invasive plants.

Carriers of invasive plants include vehicles, clothing, boots, and hunting equipment. All members must ensure that any carriers under their control are as clean as practical of the seeds or other reproductive material of invasive plants before leaving a hunting property and before entering a new hunting property.

Where possible, all members must:

• Avoid driving off-road in areas known to contain declared plants (e.g., giant rat’s-tail grass, parthenium weed) or in other areas that present a risk of vehicle or machinery contamination.
• Do not drive through infested paddocks.
• Ensure clothing and footwear is free of soil and plant material before stepping into vehicles.
• Avoid driving or working in contaminated areas in wet or dewy conditions.
• Clean vehicles and machinery suspected of carrying soil or plant material.
• Begin work in clean areas or in areas with the least amount of infestation and work towards infested or high-density areas.
• Where possible, work infested areas separately and clean down equipment thoroughly before moving to another area.
• Avoid work in infested areas during peak seed production times.
• Secure loads if you suspect they may contain weed seeds.

Definitions

• Clean: For vehicles, machinery, and equipment, clean means that no soil and/or organic matter that may contain weed reproductive material is on or in areas that are accessible during cleaning and maintenance work. A checklist and guidelines that show areas that are required to be clean are available at www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au. A vehicle is considered to remain clean if it leaves its point of origin clean and only travels on sealed roads or well-maintained unsealed roads.
• Weed reproductive material: means any part of the plant that is capable of producing another plant by sexual or asexual reproduction. Examples include seeds, bulbs, rhizomes, tuber, stem or leaf cutting, and the whole plant.
• Well-maintained unsealed road: means roads that do not have vegetation growing on or encroaching onto the area occupied by traffic.

11. Particular Rules for Hunting with Dogs

Use of Dogs / Other Animals

The use of dogs and other animals may be used to assist hunters but only if: (a) their use is not in contravention of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (NSW) or other similar/relevant legislation for the state that you are hunting in, and (b) their use is with the permission of the occupier of the land concerned.

Using Dogs to Hunt

All dogs being used to hunt must: a) wear a collar which has a metal tag or label attached with the name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the dog, b) be microchipped, c) not chase any other species of animal. These requirements are in addition to the special conditions for hunting deer and other game animals using dogs. (i.e., In NSW, a dog may only be used for locating, pointing, or flushing deer, but hunting with scent-trailing hounds is not permitted. A person hunting alone must not use more than one dog and a group that is hunting together must not use more than two dogs for hunting wild deer.)

Housing Requirements

Dogs must be kept in kennels or crates which:

• Must protect dogs from rain, wind, extreme heat, and cold.
• Be kept clean, hygienic, and free from odor.
• Be designed and maintained to avoid injury/escape.
• Be of sufficient size to allow dogs to be comfortably and humanely housed.
• Be kept in such a way as to not cause a nuisance to others.
• Be kept in such a way as to reduce stress to the dog.
• Fencing must not allow dogs to roam from premises where they are kept.
• Bitches on heat must be securely confined.

Care of Dogs

Dogs must be provided with adequate care which includes:

• Provide fresh, clean water at all times.
• Provide a diet which is balanced and maintains the dog’s health.
• Provide prompt veterinary attention when and if required.
• Provide treatment on a regular basis for external/internal parasites.
• Provide vaccination as advised by a vet.
• Provide exercise and keep the dog in good physical health.

Keeping of Dogs

Dogs are to be kept with reference to applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Training of Dogs

Dogs must be:

• Well-trained and obedient, using appropriate and humane methods.
• Stock-proof and socialised with other dogs, animals, and people.
• Discouraged from exhibiting anti-social and undesirable behavior.
• Under appropriate control always.
• In the case of pig hunting, trained either to bail (or to hold pigs only by the ears where permitted by law).
• In the case of deer hunting, a dog may only be used for locating, pointing, or flushing deer; hunting with scent-trailing hounds is not permitted.

Transportation of Dogs

When traveling on public roads in an open vehicle, dogs must be suitably restrained, crated, or caged and protected from the elements. Cages and crates must supply ample room for each dog to comfortably stand, turn around, and lay down.

Working of Dogs

When working dogs, the handler must consider the weather conditions, temperature, and fitness of the dog, so as not to cause stress to the dog. Dogs must wear protective gear when working. Minimum requirement is a cut collar, which protects the throat and neck. Breastplates, vests, tracking collars, reflective tags, flashing tags, and glow tags are strongly encouraged.

Number of Dogs Used on a Pig

Maximum number of dogs on a pig at any time is:

• 2 holding dogs (where permitted by law)
• 2 bailers
• 1 pup in training. The fewer dogs the better. The number of dogs you need will depend on their working ability, size/condition of the pigs, and country you are hunting. The Australian Hunters Club advocates the use of the minimum number of dogs required to catch and dispatch the pig effectively and safely without causing undue stress to either animal. There may also be further requirements put in place by local, state, federal law, or landholder’s request. These requirements must be followed.

Handling and Dispatch of Pigs

The dispatch of the pig should be carried out with full regard for the welfare of the animal. It is unacceptable to use killing methods that:

• Cause severe and prolonged pain and distress.
• Result in deliberate mortal wounding of animals so that they die later away from the shooting or capture area.

The Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (ACPA) specifies examples of behavior which are taken to be causing cruelty to an animal, including to:

• Abuse, terrify, torment, or worry it.
• Overdrive, override, or overwork.
• Kill it in a way that is inhumane, cause it not to die quickly, or cause it to die in unreasonable pain.
• Unjustifiably, unnecessarily, or unreasonably injure or wound.

Methods used to dispatch pigs must be rapid, effective, and the most humane alternative possible to minimise pain and distress. Dogs must respond to commands from the controller/handler and not harass the pig. Use of dogs to handle captured feral animals should be minimised. The aim always should be to handle captured animals quickly. It is preferable that dogs be only used to locate and bail feral pigs to enable humane dispatch. Holding dogs should be used to hold the pig for the shortest time possible while the pig is humanely dispatched and only where this method is permitted by law. All captured pigs are to be dispatched; catch and release must not occur.

12. Particular Rules for Hunting with Bow and Arrow

Bow Hunting Safety

Every bowhunter has a duty of care to ensure that wherever they shoot it is undertaken in the safest way possible. The following points are fundamentals of bowhunting safety which all bowhunters should practice whenever they pick up archery equipment.

• Always point the bow and arrow in a safe direction.
• Only nock an arrow when it is safe to shoot.
• Identify your target beyond all doubt and know what is in front of it, immediately behind it, and beyond it.
• Broadheads are razor-sharp – only remove them from a quiver when you intend to shoot them or sharpen them.
• Never dry fire a bow (releasing the bowstring without a nocked arrow). It may cause serious damage to the bow and can injure the archer.
• Do not drink alcohol or take drugs before or during bowhunting.
• Immediately repair defects in equipment.
• Learn basics of bushcraft and survival before venturing into the bush to bow hunt.
• Target arrows with blunt edges are for target shooting. Only use sharp broadheads or varmint points for small game when bowhunting.
• Only purchase archery equipment from reputable retailers that take the time to fit a bow to its intended purpose and to your body shape and ability.
• Learn and practice bowhunting techniques and know the limitations of your equipment and your personal skill level.

Hunt Ethically, Responsibly

Bowhunters have a conscience that guides ethical decisions in making quick, humane kills. Let’s review four ways to ensure lethal shots:

• Practice regularly to stay sharp, focused, and in sync with your equipment. Repeating the same actions, motions, and techniques develops muscle memory and consistency. Take lessons, join leagues, and shoot 3D tournaments to improve your shooting skills. The more you practice, the more proficient you will become.
• Hunters must match their equipment to their quarry. They need different arrows for targeting different species. For example, you would use broadheads when targeting deer versus judo tips for rabbits. Similarly, you may require different draw weights for different species and the hunter is to research and ensure that their equipment is sufficient for their target species. The draw weight should ensure that arrows can penetrate the animal’s hide, muscles, and organs to inflict quick death.
• You must know your effective shooting range, and only shoot when your quarry is within it. Do not take risky shots, such as shooting in low light, or when a target is moving, or obscured by brush or branches. Only release your arrow when you are certain you’re taking a clean shot.
• The most important factor in a killing shot is placing your broadhead in the vitals. Lethal shot placement requires knowing your target species anatomy and shooting angles to determine where to aim. Although a shot to the brain is likely the quickest, most lethal shot, it has a small margin of error. If you miss your mark, a broadhead could cause debilitating jaw or facial injuries. Plus, most broadheads will not penetrate the skull enough to cause immediate death. Therefore, bowhunters should target the deer’s much larger chest cavity, which includes the heart, lungs, and major arteries. A broadhead puncturing a deer’s chest causes quick death from massive blood loss. It is also best to shoot deer when they’re broadside or quartering away. These shots ensure arrows pass through the body cavity’s most vulnerable area, which creates better blood trails and humane harvests.

13. Appendices

• Appendix 1: Deed of assumption of risk – Hunting
• Appendix 3: Complaint record form
• Appendix 4: Incident report form
• Appendix 5: Pre Hunt Plan, Safety/Equipment Check List