At the moment we are caretaking a 600,000 acre property which is about 120km across. it is bout 70km north of the nearest town Sandstone WA. It is lovely to be 50km from another living sole after 4 months in Margaret River & Perth
The owner before he went away to get married told us an interesting story which might make some of us think twice about our choice of free camps.
He told us the culling of kangaroos on many properties has to be carried out on occasions to keep the numbers down, this is done a lot at night.
He went on to say a number of times when hunting along the creeks they have spotted little torch beams flickering around through the trees. Upon investigation they were found to be grey nomads who have camped on peoples properties, without notifying the owners, their reason is to view the wildflowers in the area during spring. The grazier here thinks this could be a very dangerous practice & does not want to be responsible for one of us nomads ending up in hospital, not to mention being a bit rude not asking permission first.
Anyway I have to go feed the dogs, and play on his quad bikeI'm a kid at heart.
Cheers Jon
__________________
Home is where we hang our hats - Home now in Yamba NSW
This is a problem in any area not only grazier leases and properties.
We caretake a 212,126 hectare Proposed Credo reserve and Homestead Campground probably your close neighbour nearly.
There is regular times we find the cowboy shooter out here taking off the odd kangaroo (which without permit is ilegal) and they have not been to the homestead to tell us. Most recent the person said he had permission form a year and half ago at which I said that was not apropriate as he should always go into the homestead and see the owner or caretaker each occasion as you just do not know who may be on site.
Dangerous out here as there is always prospectors around and we never see them or come to homestead.
So would personlay recomment a big light so the cowboys can see you.
When conduct a shoot for feral anamil control (not native) there is a lot of red tape and a serious patrol and signage to endeavour to make all aware. But you always miss those that ar trying to hide and camp away from the normal.
Cheers
-- Edited by Alan8888 on Monday 28th of February 2011 03:00:14 PM
Hi guys, have received an unconfirmed report that there may be a fence down, out the back somewhere. Would you mind jumping in your vehicle and checking it out. Thanks
Johnw
__________________
There is no road to happiness. Happiness is the road.
Thought the minning companys own mosts of the land up that way. If not then CALM had a bit to do with it north of Sandstone... Best to ask is the right thing for sure..we do each time we go prospecting in the west.. or get a 20A. that way the property owner is told where you will be .. If you get it through..
__________________
Land Rover Discovery Chipped TD5 Manual ,Air Springs, Anti Sway. T.C. Auto level. Van, Roadstar 21.6 Voyager 4000 all sola powered.
Thought the minning companys own mosts of the land up that way. If not then CALM had a bit to do with it north of Sandstone... Best to ask is the right thing for sure..we do each time we go prospecting in the west.. or get a 20A. that way the property owner is told where you will be .. If you get it through..
Bob, Even if minning company, Department Environment & Conservation or Pastoral lease there is requirement to have approvals to go out and shot on this land.
The problem is that we see a lot of cowboys (cashed up minners) with rifles going out and we are not aware of them shoting and on this land it is not permitted but minning interest land is also caretaker controled and the opinon by these cowboys is it is free reign to shot anywhere, even where there are campers.
So Jon's point is even more pertinant in the government managed land because there is a mis belief that it is open to anything they want. Have had to call police regulaly for ilegal shoting. At least then they are better informed after confronted by police.
When I was first situated here I was asked about shoting and if I was comfortable I advised that after 30 years military service up until 2007 I was trained with various weapons the difference is I was trained to shot people and can I still do that out here as sometimes they deserve it . . . . . .
. . 
. . 
