Hog Hunting in Australia

A Queensland study found that hunters take 15 to 20 percent of the nation's hog population annually.

Every day Australia faces a horde of destructive invasive mammals, chief among which are wild hogs with an estimated nationwide population of 23 million. Though attitudes towards the effectiveness of hunting hogs and regulations vary from state to state, there is a clear government consensus on the fate of wild hogs. Australia wants its hog population pruned back and it falls partly to landowners and conservation hunters to cull these pests.

Regulation

Though all states manage their hog populations, true open seasons are in place only in Queensland and New South Wales. The government of Queensland declared feral pigs Class 2 animals under the Land Protection Act 2002 and their control is the responsibility of all landowners. In New South Wales, hogs are open to all licensed hunters under the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002.

Licenses

To hunt hogs legally in Australia, you need a shooter's license (a category A and B Longarm License is appropriate for recreational hunting) and a hunting R-license (with a written permission document) relevant to the specific state if you want to hunt on public land or crown land. As of 2010, fees are $60 for a standard license and $100 for hunters visiting from overseas.

Accreditation

You can submit an application for an R-License to a branch of Field & Game Australia, Inc. after you complete a firearm safety course that covers codes and laws, hunter safety, animal welfare, conservation and ethics as well as at least one course on rifles, shotguns, bows, dogs or black powder. You will only be approved if you are a member of a recognized sporting or firearms organization.

References

• Queensland Government, Primary Industries and Fisheries: Feral Pig
• Queensland Pest Animal Strategies: Feral Pigs
• Game Council New South Wales: Conservation Hunting
• Game Council New South Wales: Conservation Hunting Allowed on 180 State Forests
• Government of Queensland: Feral Pigs in Queensland

Resources

• Field and Game, Australia, Inc.: Game Regulations by State
• United States Department of Agriculture: Invasive Species: Animals--Wild Boar