Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

The 2008-2009 Aerial Feral Pig and Feral Goat Shooting Program aimed to reduce feral mammal infestations in the Barnard/Hunter River catchment areas, northern New South Wales (NSW), Australia, over a 2-year period, as well as to provide skills to landholders to manage vertebrate pests. By accomplishing these reductions in pest animal densities, it endeavoured to reduce impacts of feral mammals on soil and water resources and on native flora and fauna, thereby protecting ecosystems and giving benefits to the wider community. The NSW Department of Industries and Energy identified the control area, including the Barnard and Hunter River catchment areas, as having one of the highest populations of feral pigs in northern NSW. The area contains diverse and vulnerable ecosystems of woodlands, remnant rainforest, escarpment, and open grazing areas. Projects were designed to use best practice pest animal management methods, including aerial shooting, followed by a trapping campaign and ground shooting. Stakeholders included NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Armidale and Hunter Rural Lands Protection Boards, and up to 336 private landowners. Aerial shooting was undertaken in July, because winter is the most opportune season for this method. In 2008, a total of 913 feral pigs, 650 feral goats, 18 deer, and 4 wild dogs were destroyed. In 2009, 1,338 feral pigs, 900 feral goats, and 336 deer were destroyed, all of which were primary target animals. Trapping and poisoning were used to control feral pigs and an extensive ground-shooting program was put in place to control feral goats and the emerging deer problem. Monitoring of residual populations, through New England Livestock Health and Pest Authority property inspections, and assessment of damage caused by feral animals were undertaken at the conclusion of both projects. Ground trapping continues over a 4-month period, and ground shooting is ongoing and opportunistic.