IT’S NOT ABOUT US

FROM THE CHAIRMAN Col Brumley

The Australian Deer Association (ADA) has always been about serving a greater purpose for all deer hunters. We join and support the ADA because we share in its values and the purpose of improving the status of wild deer and preserving and expanding deer hunting on public land.

These are not minor endeavours and present significant challenges; however, like with hunting deer, it isn’t easy, and the rewards can be great.

Having said that, like hunting deer, you can create your own luck, but it might take some time —years, maybe even decades. If you persist, you give yourself the best chance of being rewarded, whether it's with a stag and an adventure of a lifetime or, in this case, a fantastic advocacy outcome that has been decades in the making.

On the journey to unlocking the Errinundra and Snowy River National Parks for recreational deer hunting, there were many times when we could have given up, put it in the 'too-hard' basket. Considering how regularly you receive a 'no' before a 'yes', that would have been understandable. Yet we persisted. In deer hunting terms, it's like being out hunting late in the afternoon and deciding to push on to the next gully instead of heading back to the comfort of camp, knowing you may be returning after dark, being extremely uncomfortable. Likewise, with our advocacy, you will never get a yes unless you keep working towards it, similar to gaining access to Snake Island, which also took decades to achieve.

What is special about unlocking both the Errinundra and Snowy River National Parks, besides never before having unlocked two national parks to recreational deer hunting in one go, is that we can look at our kids and grandkids who will now grow up with access to an extra 130,000 hectares of public land as the norm, whereas we grew up with a few old blokes sharing stories about a place and being locked out of it.

It also demonstrates to other Australian states and territories that there is no valid reason to exclude recreational deer hunters from national parks. We have 40 years of evidence that deer hunting can coexist harmoniously with other park users. After all, who among us hasn’t shared a campfire over the years with non-hunters? In Victoria, outside of the ski resorts, the largest user of the Southern Alps for nine months of the year is recreational deer hunters. We quietly go about our business, leaving little more than the occasional footprint.

I still pinch myself, knowing that it has finally come true. Sean did say for a while that he thought ADA could get it done, but seeing it in the official media release by the Environment and Outdoor Recreation Minister, and even the Premier acknowledging ADA’s work on the issue, still feels a bit surreal even weeks later.

Like many of you, I have already rung some of those old blokes to get the good oil and to make plans with hunting mates about when and where to hunt next year, firstly in the Snowy River National Park. It's exciting to think about the adventures that lie ahead. As I look at Google Maps, I can see why people have made plans to use rafts to access remote, untouched areas.

During this time, I am also reminded of those who came before us and contributed to making the ADA what it is today. Some of them are no longer with us. It would have been great to share this win with them in person; instead, it is a reminder about how precious life is and how we must make the most of it. One way to do that is by hunting deer on public land as much as possible, and that is exactly what I plan on doing.

Once again, thank you for your continued support. You have helped make this possible. I can’t wait to run into you in the Snowy River or Errinundra National Parks next year!