Bow-hunting ban set to fly in South Australia

Bows and crossbows are to be banned as part of planned changes to general hunting use in South Australia National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 by the Department for Environment and Water (DEW).

A letter seen by Athletic shooterwas sent to a number of stakeholders in SA telling them that the state government will ban general hunting with bows or crossbows.

The changes will be achieved by changing what a basic hunting license allows, removing the ability for a holder to use a bow or crossbow when hunting – even on private property with the landowner’s permission.

Although the changes have not yet been implemented, it is clear that they are a done deal despite opposition from the Australian Bowhunters Association and other hunting organisations.

The stakeholder letter acknowledges the changes “could have some impact on your business” and says “the department would like to understand how best to implement the ban” before the stakeholder responds via an online feedback portal opinion is requested.

Interestingly, DEW specifically stated that the ban does not apply to landowners, their household, and employees or agents who butcher wild animals that cause damage to crops, supplies or other property; or to Aboriginal people who hunt for food or non-commercial purposes, as these groups are exempt from the need for a simple hunting license to hunt and can therefore continue to use bows and crossbows for these purposes if they so choose.

DEW has also specifically said that bows and crossbows will remain legal to buy and own, and can still be used for archery, armoury, and other “recreational uses that don’t involve hunting.”

The ban was challenged by Pauline Hanson’s One Nation MP Sarah Game MLC in November.

However, Climate, Environment and Water Secretary Kyam Maher said the ALP had been “a long-time committed before the 2018 election to ban hunting with bows and crossbows”.

He said that pledge was “made public in letters to the Animal Justice Party and in response to a survey by South Aussies for Animals Inc.” – in other words, it was not made as publicly as campaign pledges in general would be expected.

Mr Maher said the ban would not restrict hunting with guns, which remained legal, but dismissed calls for compensation for sporting goods retailers and hunters affected by the bowhunting ban.

“As only hunting of animals, particularly birds and mammals, with bows or crossbows will be banned in South Australia, there is currently no plan to compensate companies or hunters,” he said.

“Bowhunting equipment will not be rendered unusable as this ban does not restrict the use or possession of bows or crossbows for purposes that do not involve killing birds or mammals.

“For example, owners can continue to use their archery equipment for target archery or bowhunting in other jurisdictions where it remains legal.”

There is currently no announced timeframe for the implementation of the ban, but it is very much a question of when, not if.