Capital Region Rabbit Shooting - CRRS

This New Zealand volunteer-run deer control program helps farmers manage the wild deer population on their land in a sustainable way. Australian states and territories should try it! Victoria is making strides in this direction and other stats and territories should do the same.

"A Bay of Plenty-based group is turning a pest problem into a community solution.

Hunt for Good is a not-for-profit that culls wild deer, donating the venison and wild game meat to community groups and food banks.

It’s volunteer run, and helps farmers manage the wild deer population on their land in a sustainable way.

It was founded by Jasper Osborne at the end of 2024, and in that time they’ve culled nearly 2000 wild deer and donated over 16 thousand kilograms of mince to those in need.

“A lot of farmers are under a lot of stress ... and if they’ve got huge number of deer running around their properties, then that stock, they can’t have, so that’s really profit they can’t have,” Osborne told Jack Tame.

“If we can help them by eliminating some of the issues for them, and also turning it into a food source for the community, then it’s a double win." "

Listen here: https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/saturday-morning-with-jack-tame/audio/jasper-osborne-hunt-for-good-founder-on-how-they-turn-a-wild-deer-problem-into-food-for-those-in-need/

It’s volunteer run, and helps farmers manage the wild deer population on their land in a sustainable way.

The NSW Government should be incentivising pig trapping and pig hunting.

“The NSW Government Feral Pig and Pest Program said it eliminated approximately 223,000 to 250,000 feral pigs over a recent three-year period through extensive aerial shooting, trapping, and baiting programs.

However, hunters like Sutton said it’s not enough, and more incentives need to be offered to prompt more people to help control the population boom.

“I think if the government goes down the line of doing this $20 tail bounty, that’s going to help a lot of people go out and do a bit more hunting,” he said.

James Sutton with son Jarryd and friend (pictured) doing their part in bringing down the feral pig population in NSW’s central west.
James Sutton with son Jarryd and friend (pictured) doing their part in bringing down the feral pig population in NSW’s central west. Credit: Supplied
In some states, regional councils operate pest bounty programs that offer a reward for every feral animal tail, scalp, or snout collected.

“It’ll certainly help get the numbers down. But they need to be careful of that as well, because then you’ll just get every numpty, bloody going out trying to catch pigs and trespassing on properties,” Sutton said.

“The government’s got to come at the problem from different angles, not just rely on shooting and poison.”

Sutton said part of the problem also stemmed from fewer hunters looking to kill pigs, with their meat no longer bought by game meat processing facilities, known as chillers.

“They’re not buying pigs anymore at the chillers. That’s the biggest problem. So the roo shooters, they’re not touching (pigs) because they don’t need to shoot them — they can’t get any money for them,” he said.

Pigs were brought from Europe to Australia by the First Fleet in 1788 as livestock, but those that escaped established wild populations that have expanded over time.

A single sow can have up to two litters of 10 piglets every year, with populations spiking after wet weather when food is in abundance. “

Farmers plead for help with ‘exploding' feral pig population

This new YouTube show on wild meat premiers next Wednesday. Ross O’Meara is a well known author and instructor on hunting, harvesting and cooking wild meat.

🎬 PREMIERE ANNOUNCEMENT

Wild Meat premieres Wednesday, 10 June at 7:30pm.

Join chef, hunter, author and ADA member Ross O’Meara as he shares his passion for wild venison, responsible harvesting, and the connection between hunting and food.

From breaking down a fallow deer leg to preparing simple, delicious meals, Wild Meat explores the journey from harvest to table through the eyes of one of Australia’s most respected advocates for wild game.

📅 Wednesday, 10 June
🕢 7:30pm AEST
📍 Australian Deer Association YouTube Channel

Supported by Crispi Australia and Skeleton Optics.

Thanks to Heiman Habitat for letting us know about the new Australian Hunter website!

Australian Hunter | Hunting Stories, Gear Reviews & Recipe Explore Australia’s leading hunting resource with stories from the field, gear reviews, wild game recipes, news and expert advice for hunters across the country.

Impressive amount of sambar deer and fallow deer harvested in Victoria in 2025. The large proportion of female deer harvested of both these species shows most hunters are harvesting for meat and not for trophies, which contradicts the misinformation often espoused by the anti-hunting brigade (ISC/CISS/LLS/Greens/RSPCA/etc.)

The Estimates of the 2025 deer harvest in Victoria report shows hunters harvested more female deer than male deer in 2025.🦌

Of the estimated 118,400 Sambar Deer harvested, 54% were female and 46% were male. Of the estimated 38,000 Fallow Deer harvested, 55% were female and 45% were male.

This suggests that many hunters are harvesting deer for the meat rather than targeting deer for trophies.

To learn more about the 2025 deer harvest in Victoria, visit: https://shorturl.at/2hZHU

Just leaving this here as a reminder about how many awesome creative wild rabbit recipes can be found at Eat Game UK!

Warm Rabbit Mousse with Cream Sherry Sauce Another of our quick and easy recipes by Taste of Game Chef Richard Hunt. This great starter dish will wow any dinner party or serve as a light lunch.

Will watch this with interest. Sounds a bit like a pipe dream, but would be amazing if it worked at some point in the future.

“The fertility of the European rabbit, one of Australia's worst invasive feral pests, is remarkable. A doe can produce up to 60 offspring in a breeding season.”

“Now, that trait holds the key to its eventual demise. Watch ABC TV's Landline at 12:30pm AEST on Sunday or stream anytime on ABC iview.”

How IVF could spell doom for feral rabbits Scientists are using rabbit IVF and gene-editing technology to crash Australia's feral rabbit population by spreading infertility through female rabbits.