mantra wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2008 at 9:00am:


First of all that hardly happen now ie "plenty of [animals] dying slowly and in agony from misplaced bullets."

But yes it can happen. That's why most hunters train before hunting as well as taking responsible shots on game. It is a combination of using an adequate cartridge/correct projectile and marksmanship. It is not as difficult as you are emotionally suggesting for those that are enthuseists.

I very much doubt that there will ever be open slather on shooting crocs again, it is far more likely that there will be a tagged system where tags are purchased or drawn by lotto that allow the taking of a croc. As already suggested, this will generally be used for guided hunts and gain tourism dollars.

This allows the animal to still be protected but also managed. It has the added side effect that crocs become more people shy, except in National Parks where they would not be hunted, thus keeping the photo tourists happy.

There are multiple points on most animals that are useful for taking down game and with a rifle it is essential that those points are able to be reached by the bullet and impart all/maximum amount of energy and therefore shock to the animal. Generally bullets kill by shock.

Different locations on the animal would be targeted depending on the type of trophy being sort. Headshots if you want the skin and shouldershots if you are after a headmount. If you wound an animal the guide will usually try to finish off the animal if you fail to and every animal wounded should be tracked to the point of complete failure. Only unethical shooters (and there are some) do not make every effort to dispatch game properly. I have spent hours, sometimes to the point of being dangerous doing just that on the very rare occasions that an animal has not gone down immediately. Very very rare. A wounded animal still uses up the tag so the hunter needs to make sure or they have wasted probably $1000's and still going home empty handed.

Mantra said
Quote:


Not sure where it says anything that moves? Most species mentioned are introduced and feral, the birds are largely migratory, but I personally don't shoot these because I consider them native AS WELL as the fact that I don't eat them. But I would have no qualms about shooting a kangaroo or emu if they were abundant AND I ate them and it was legal.

Mantra said Quote:


"I" would not insist on that but maybe that's for the best if you don't want to learn something. 

Rangers hunt in Kauri Creek for third crocodile

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/rangers-hunt-kauri-creek-third-crocodile/1964651/

RANGERS are on the hunt for a third crocodile on the Fraser Coast after a croc reportedly bumped into a boat at a popular fishing and camping spot.

Department of Environment and Heritage Protection's Geoff Clare said rangers were searching Kauri Creek in the Tuan State Forest after receiving a report from a fisherman last week.

"There have been a number of reported sightings in Kauri Creek and the adjacent Tin Can Bay in recent years," Mr Clare, the executive director of nature conservation services, said.

"Temporary recent sighting signs have been erected at the location as a precaution."

Recreational fisherman Craig Johnson said he spoke to the rangers while fishing in Kauri Creek on Friday.

"The croc had been seen by a fisherman three days earlier down from the (Log Dump) boat ramp," he said.

"They said the croc had bumped into his boat."

Mr Johnson, a Munna Creek resident, said they told him the croc was in the range of three to four metres long.

"I've never seen one here before but it's the perfect environment for them," he said.

If rangers are able to find the reptile it will be the third confirmed crocodile living on the Fraser Coast.

Earlier this month rangers confirmed there were two living in the Mary River near Beaver Rock.

Once again, there are a number of people's opinions on this Topic that are 'right' and justified.

Ironic that on Landline today - they had a segment on Australian Tourism: After the success of Hoges (mostly in the USA) and the flop of Bingle - they now have 'Chefs' promoting Australia as a place of 'good food' ...as their new weapon of choice.
(gee: with all the 'cooking shows' on TV, I didn't see that one coming  )
But the truth of the matter is - that the stats have shown that Tourism in Australia spikes upwards when Australians are killed and attacked by 'Wild Nature' (Crocs n' Sharks, etc). People from Overseas, don't come here to visit Australians (don't blame them sometimes  ) - but to see 'Wild Killer Australia' !!!

The Australian 'Hunter'?
Gee - where do you start>? 

The Australian Hunter is much like his fellow 'Greenie' in Camo - the Military, very 'Political' in his servitude. But that is the 'Western' way - where 'Politics' is the First Rule(r).
...so we have a bunch of Politicians marching around with Guns and shooting Animals from a safe and anonymous position (much like Trolls do on the Net).

But in Truth, there are many 'right' answers to the Issue.
In South Africa: Hunters have 'Farmed' near extinct species back into hundreds of thousands, for many things - but mostly 'controlled hunting' experiences.
Zimbabwe has all but 'devoured' their native Fauna and are now 'Poaching' into South Africa.
South African Rangers now 'Hunt' Poachers!  Wonder how many 'Poacher' heads are mounted over fireplaces? 

Cull Crocodiles?
I agree with FreeDiver in that the 'Croc-Farmers' are only protecting their livelihood and not all of these 'Farms' around the world are 'good for the animals', maybe in quantity - but definitely not in 'quality' care !!

I believe that the Culling of Crocs and any Species (like Great White Sharks) can be a CONSTANT act, but one that needs to be conducted by a very seriously set up 'Conservational Panel' of Experts that are also HUNTERS !!! 
Australian Hunters need to be the Wolves or Sharks that keep an Eco-system 'Healthy' by targeting the weak, the sick, the potentially 'plague' proportionate !
What the Australian and Global 'Market' reaps from this, must NEVER encroach and poach upon a non-sustainable figure of -50% !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But I don't think Australian Hunters have got what it takes to step away from the Politics and towards their fellow Greenies - the Conservationists.
This is a Global problem as well !! 

Scientists have introduced PACU Piranha into the Sepik River in PNG  18 years ago. The reason being, the fish species only eat 'Nuts' and other 'Flora' - but now, with the 'Niche' open to them, the PACU are eating other species and even attacking Humans, much like traditional Piranha do! Crocodile numbers have plummeted (baby crocs are consumed) and the ecosystem is just another on this planet - having been stuffed up!

If you know there are muggers down an alleyway in New York...
...would you walk down there, just because you felt the right to have a short cut! 
...like you feel you have the right to camp at 'any' river-side or swim at 'any' beach.
No - you either walk down that alleyway with Police protection or 'evolve' your situation.

I totally support Humanity's need to have CONQUERED the domination of Animals over our existence.
But we have risen above that now - and yet, there are still many out there that believe that we must go further and DESTROY all the Animals ...FOREVER !!
The CHALLENGE now is to go beyond now and develop ways for us to exist and compete fairly with the Animals without killing for fear of being killed.

I personally think the Crocs & Sharks are 'culling' the idiots from our Society, to be honest.     

If people think the behaviour of Conservationists in all things 'against' have been EXTREME, then its a justified 'backlash' to the EXTREME annihilation of species around the world.