DPaW crack down on pig hunting
PIG hunters have been put on notice as Department of Parks and Wildlife officers vow to crack down on the illegal activity in the South West's reserves and national parks.
The department will target national parks, conservation parks and nature reserves after a man was fined $300 for illegally hunting in the Benger Swamp Nature Reserve last year.
Department officer Pia Courtis said hunters often damaged fences and gates to access hunting grounds.
She said the activity was not only damaging to the infrastructure around parks and reserves, but hunting dogs used to track and chase pigs also threatened native species.
Ms Courtis said pig traps set by the department had been tampered with by hunters who did not want pig numbers reduced as it would impact on their sport.
Australind police officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Peter Hayes said the activity was highly dangerous.
He said shooting animals was illegal without appropriate approvals.
"If a person discharges a firearm on crown land or private land they are responsible for the round," he said.
Sen. Sgt Hayes said the rounds from the high-powered rifles used by pig hunters could travel up to 2km.
"It could kill someone at over 2000m," he said.
Ms Courtis said hunters increased the risk of fires and also damaged bushland with vehicles.
"These activities have significantly impacted on the reserve, putting at risk the conservation values of the area," she said.
"Benger Swamp Nature Reserve is the only location on the Swan Coastal Plain known to support the critically endangered Australasian Bittern and is one of only seven known breeding sites in south-western Australia for freckled ducks."
