Melbourne & Western Vic Branch Hunt 29 to 31 July 2022

You are invited to have an enjoyable and, if last year is any indication, a fruitful Branch Hunt at Shelley Forest Camp.

Note: if arriving outside the actual scheduled times, you are there under your own recognisants.  Branch committee can’t be responsible outside the published times. ADA insurance operates as normal.

Getting there: [From Melb CBD]

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/-37.7552896,145.1032576/Shelley+Forest+Camp,+Shelley+VIC+3701/@-36.1945957,147.3327224,88910m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m10!4m9!1m1!4e1!1m5!1m1!1s0x6b23a3d44ce94d59:0xb9a1abcc8b9f0733!2m2!1d147.5503349!2d-36.1803112!3e0

• Access to camp site 2WD.
• Some of the Block trails are a little rough, but mostly accessible via 2WD

Arrival – Anytime after midday 29 July, departing by mid-day on 3 August.  Let me know [melb.comms@austdeer.asn.au or 0414 580 740] if you want to arrive earlier or stay longer and I'll check this for you with Shelley Camp.

Best last fuel AMPOL WODONGA. Link follows.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ampol/@-36.1348792,146.9044406,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x1d32a536c49cd57f!8m2!3d-36.1348505!4d146.9044935

Accommodation

Room [basic] stays adult - $97.00 or Camping $61.00 [2 nights incl 1 meal] +GST.   Camping has access to all facilities, bathroom/ shower, common room, kitchen.

Members who are under 18 get a 50% discount, $48.50 & $30.50 respectively +GST. It's a nice camp!  Families welcome if you have a family membership.  This is due to insurance coverage held by the ADA. 

Catering

We will provide a meal on Saturday evening of venison [surprise variety] and for desert, pancakes with Canadian Maple syrup and berries.

Don’t forget to provide for yourself for all other meals.

Refunds:

7 days before the event, not afterwards, as we will have bought the food by then and have an obligation to Shelley Camp

Important Considerations

More info will be sent to those who register, SAT Phone NOT necessary as there is Telstra mobile service at the camp. But we will take it just in case, to be sure to be sure.

• You agree to abide by the Branch Safety Policy, which is essentially the same as the ADA policy
• Temperature variable, but nothing outrageous but it can get to zero.  No fuel additive required typically for diesel vehicles, but that’s up to you.
• UHF 40 channel radio carried for safety [NOT OPTIONAL]
• Must carry a GPS in the bush with you [NOT OPTIONAL]
• Suggest you have a PLB [OPTIONAL]
• Remember we are there to hunt as a branch. Please re-frame from hunting the area in the days leading up to the Branch hunt.
• More to Explore App https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/hunting-maps 

Hunting

We are lucky to have access to the maps drawn up for the national hunt [Thanks Bernd]. This worked well last hunt. 

Hunting blocks will be allocated prior to the hunt, to maintain structural separation.

We of course suggest you do plenty of research into the area, especially the block you will be allocated, at least a week before the hunt.

As always we will try to pair up new members with some of the more experienced hunters in the group, we were able to do this last time but we can't guarantee this. 

Dogs

The area around Shelly Camp is open to dogs, however, only companion dogs are allowed in SFC itself.  If you bring a companion dog, you will need to either camp or let us [Peter Halcomb] know in advance, as only 2 rooms are adjacent to the bunk room entry where dogs can be housed.  Noisy dogs are of course a problem.  NO DOGS ARE ALLOWED IN A BUNK ROOMS or the COMMON ROOM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.  This is due to soiling problems previously happening. 

Any hunting questions, please contact Paul   0419 556 398 or kotlarewski@yahoo.com.au

Any admin questions please contact me [Peter Halcomb] on 0414 580 740 melb.comms@austdeer.asn.au