Not trying to be a smart ass, just asking what is the concern?
Not a bad question at all ...
Our current regulations sit as such:
(1) A person must not hunt, take or destroy Red Deer, Rusa Deer or Sambar Deer other than by the use of-
(a) a centre-fire rifle having a calibre of no less than 6�85 mm (0�270") with ammunition which has a cartridge case length of no less than 51mm (2") and a projectile weight of no less than 8�45 grams (130 grains); or
(b) a muzzle-loading rifle having a calibre of no less than 11�45 mm(0�45"), with a projectile of not less than 14�91 grams (230 grains) in weight; or
(c) a long bow having a draw-weight of no less than 22�5 kilograms, using a broad-head arrow having a minimum weight of no less than 25 grams and a minimum of two sharpened cutting blades; or
(d) a recurved bow having a draw-weight of no less than 22�5 kilograms, using a broad-head arrow having a minimum weight of no less than 25 grams and a minimum of two sharpened cutting blades; or
(e) a compound bow having a peak-weight of no less than 22�5 kilograms, using a broad-head arrow having a minimum weight of no less than 25 grams and a minimum of two sharpened cutting blades; or
(f) a cross-bow having a draw-weight of no less than 36�6 kilograms, using a broad-head arrow having a minimum weight of no less than 25 grams and a minimum of two sharpened cutting blades.
Note: Fallow deer and Hog deer have a similar regulation except:
(a) a centre-fire rifle having a calibre of no less than 6�17 mm (0�243") with ammunition which has a cartridge case length of no less than 51 mm (2") and a projectile weight of no less than 5�51 grams (85 grains);
These regulations were instigated as people were attempting to hunt Sambar and deer in general with totally inappropriate rifles (22RF, 22Hornet, 30M1) on occasion with unsavoury and public results. There were politics involved but it was finally settled as above and has never really been changed. At the time (mid 70s from memory) the technology wasn't there to push shotguns as viable hunting arms for large game ... despite Cape Guns being used on buffalo in the Northern territory ... just too few people to argue the case for them. Now ... I feel its different with slug technology and gun technology fully upto the task.
There will be another conflict in that we have a Hog deer season that opens on the 1st April and is about 2 weeks after the Duck Season opening ... both occur on public land. Hog deer may be poached in opportunistic manner on the Duck Season opening (rare but thats of no concern to legislators) ... so a more 'range effective' shotgun may be seen as an increased potential for poaching of these deer. Its really a total non-issue as the day of the Duck Opening, most Hog Deer will go nocturnal STRAIGHT AWAY. But a duck shooter moving into place before first light may get the chance to roll one illegally. Duck hunters here by FAR use double guns ... given that we cant be trusted with semi or pump guns ... which our bikie gangs seem to be able to source.
What will be pushed is recognition of the WSSM cartrdiges which fail currently on length, and I'm pushing for recognition of shotguns with the inclusion of this following:
Twelve-gauge shotgun (fitted with a single 12guage barrel) using ammunition with a case length of no less than 69.85mm (2 ��) and using ammunition with a solid projectile of weight no less than 15.88grams (245gr). Shotgun must be fitted with rear and front sights and/or telescopic sights.
On a side note ... be careful what you guys push to legislators ... we've already seen one State of Australia look at my States law that allows 'large game' be hunted with a 270cal and 130gr projectile ... then look at Federal law that requires a 308Win with 150gr projectiles as suitable for culling of large invertebrates (including buffalo) ... then make the recommendation that no private firearms of over 30cal are necessary.
Cheers...
Con
