New shotgunning program to educate game bird hunters

This year’s first Shotgunning Education Program practical training day will be held at the Field and Game Australia Greenvale Shotgun range this Saturday 21 February.

This year’s first Shotgunning Education Program practical training day will be held at the Field and Game Australia Greenvale Shotgun range this Saturday 21 February.

Game Management Authority CEO Greg Hyams said the interactive workshop is specifically designed to address and improve the essential skills and knowledge of all game bird hunters.

“The Shotgunning Education Program training day is a one-day workshop designed to assist all game bird hunters in the use of non-toxic shot, and provide education material and hands-on training to help hunters be more effective and efficient in the field,” Mr Hyams said.

“The training day covers equipment selection, key shooting and hunting skills, and the development of proven hunting strategies and techniques designed to increase the proficiency of hunters and reduce wounding losses in recreational duck hunting.”

This program was jointly developed by the Game Management Authority with specialist input from Field and Game Australia and Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (Vic). Field and Game Australia General Manager David McNabb said

“This program delivers best-practice training for both novice and experienced hunters.”

“Participants will spend the day in practical, hands-on training, firing dozens of shots as they build key hunting skills.”

This is the first of a series of training days to be held across the state, with the next to be held at the Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia Eagle Park Range, at Little River on Saturday 28 February, prior to the start of the 2015 duck hunting season.

The Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (Vic) Operations Manager Mike Spray said “It has been great to partner with government in the development and implementation of the program and training days”.

“This program will equip Victorian game bird hunters with better shooting skills and access to education material helping to ensure game bird hunting is humane and remains sustainable for future generations”.

The Game Management Authority will continue to work closely with hunting organisations and industry to maintain the highest standards of behavior in the field ensuring game hunting is carried out in a safe, sustainable and responsible manner.

For more information on the Shotgunning Education Program, visit www.gma.vic.gov.au

Media contact: Simon Toop 0428 446 623