.. And The Hunted

Illawarra Mercury

Friday August 17, 2007

By MICHELLE HOCTOR

ILLEGAL hunters are using the northern Illawarra's rising feral deer population as an excuse to slaughter the animals and take their antlers.

Police say several shooters have been cautioned and threatened with arrest.

"Cowboys are roaming the escarpment, mostly with bows and arrows and wearing camouflage gear," Acting Sergeant Gilbere Gassin said yesterday.

"They are trespassing and basically being very dangerous in residential areas."

Steve Hurt, game manager for Game Council NSW, which conducts authorised culls of deer, said teams of up to six hunters had been spotted by council members.

"They are generally killing the deer for their antlers and then leaving the mess for someone else to take care of," he said.

Mr Hurt said the culling of deer was regulated by strict government and RSPCA provisions.

"(Illegal hunters') primary concern is not getting caught, not the welfare of the animal and making sure it is destroyed in a quick and humane fashion," Mr Hurt said.

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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