Hunters hunted

By Danny Buttler
PACKS of wild dogs are reportedly stalking deer hunters as they become more brazen in their search for food.
Gippsland feral-animal trapper and baiter Dominic Bromilow said the dog packs were feasting on carcasses left by illegal hunters and starting to associate humans with food.
The Noojee resident said dogs were also increasing their attacks on farm animals, even killing horses in paddocks as well as usual targets new born calves, lambs, and their mothers.
But it is the interaction with humans that frightens Mr Bromilow, who fears the dogs will soon escalate their hunting with tragic consequences.
“There are a lot of people who are slaughtering deer in the bush and just taking their skull and leaving the carcass, so you are feeding a massive dog pack,” he said.
“Every time one of those things occurs, they are figuring out that humans equal food at the other end. But if they don’t get that food at the other end, what’s the next best thing? The human.
“What will happen is that a kid will get taken. The kid will wander out of a campsite and they will never find him.”
Berwick deer-stalker Rob Krupko confirmed that hunters had returned from bush trips with tales of being stalked by dogs.
“I have heard of that,” he said.
But Mr Kupko, who is the Victorian Deer Association president, said illegal hunters who used spotlights to shoot stunned deer were to blame for leaving carcasses as dog food.
“There are a lot of rogues out there giving legitimate hunters a bad name,” he said.
“They are not hunters – they are not abiding by the code of ethics.”
Mr Krupko said he left only the ribcage and internal organs, taking the rest of the deer out of the bush.
“There are always going to be a few bad apples out there,” he said.
The wild dog issue has been in the spotlight this week, with the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) and State Government blaming Federal Environment Minster Tony Burke for cancelling an aerial baiting program.
VFF livestock president Ian Feldtmann said cancelling the program would help wild dogs increase their numbers.
“This year aerial baiting will occur in NSW just across the border from where strategic aerial baiting was planned for Victoria,” Mr Feldtmann said.
“But the Federal Government still won’t allow Victorian producers to have access to this proven method of wild dog control. Why?
“Unfortunately ground-baiting will not solve the problem. We need to be able to bait in areas vehicles can’t access.
“Victorian livestock producers need an aerial baiting program.”
Victorian Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh said he was frustrated by the Federal Government decision but would continue ground-baiting as the best alternative.
“The clear priority at this time is to get bait on the ground to help control the wild dog population, which currently seems to be of historically high prevalence and aggressiveness,” he said.