Farmers, duck shooters not at risk from new laws

The 2016 game bird hunting season runs from May 7 to August 31 for some species.

Federated Farmers and Fish & Game say they have worked together to satisfy both groups.

Some 40,000 hunters nationwide are known to point shotguns skyward in this season, but some are said to be wondering whether new workplace safety laws could restrict customary access to hunting spots on farm dams and waterways.

And farmers and landowners have pondered whether to re-think the property access they have previously granted recreational users.

But Fish & Game is telling farmers and hunters the new laws will not affect recreational use.

"Fish & Game and Federated Farmers worked together to make sure recreational access to farms wasn't affected by the law changes," says communications manager Don Rood. "Both organisations recognise the value of such access and so did the parliamentary select committee considering the draft legislation. The result is that Parliament has safeguarded access for anglers, hunters and trampers."

Rood says the MPs' decision to protect recreation preserves a long and treasured tradition of access to the outdoors through farms and forests.

"This access has long helped foster positive links between urban and rural people."

Fish & Game says its work with Federated Farmers on the issue has dispelled rumour and speculation over the new laws.

"The new Health and Safety at Work Act clarifies that a farmer's responsibility for any risk on their farmland does not extend to recreational users – except when work is being done on that particular part of the farm at the time," Rood says.

"This defuses fears that recreational users would need detailed safety briefings from farmers and to fill in paperwork every time they wanted to go onto a farm."

He says Fish & Game is happy to help hunters and farmers wanting clarification of the law, but he says it does not give hunters the right to roam at will over farms without permission.

"Our licence holders should still exercise common courtesy and talk to farmers and get permission to cross their land or hunt on a farm's dams and wetlands. And while you are talking to them, it makes sense to ask about any risks at the same time," Rood says.

"The law takes a dim view of illegal hunting and Fish & Game supports tough action against any poacher."