Here's an ABC Article just on the feral pig numbers. Short version devastating plague proportions.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-23/feral-pig-population-expanding-in-wa-south-west/8280930
Speak with farmers who adjoin State Forest who are being driven mad by feral damage & so far trying to find one who's lauding the good neighbour policy as effective and helpful. In fact several have been warned if they shoot any feral over the fence they risk prosecution. Meanwhile try getting the fence fixed..."neighbour"
Its reached a critical level and better plan needs to be formed.
First up, there are some shooter groups who want in. Some of them want access to crown land to hunt for ferals but this might seem like a good idea, it generally isn't unless its a very integrated and well managed part of a wider plan. The real trouble with recreational hunters is that whilst they can be effectively and ethical some of them may be looking at making the hunt sustainable and not so keen on eradicating a feral species like pigs.
There are some shooter advocates that even go so far as to say baiting is unethical and cruel that only the clean shot from an experienced hunter is the ethical solution. Here's the thing, a live bait properly set is on guard duty 24/7, makes no noise, attracts the feral to it and in the case of some baits doesn't affect native species.
If anything the shooter is probably only an effective option in farmers paddocks and with 500m of a farmer's fence in the state forest.
There is the additional problem of people "seeding" forests with pigs because they come from a neighbouring country where pig dogging is very popular. Fines for seeding state forests need to be pushed to a ridiculously high level. How high? Anything less than $250,000 and 2 years in jail probably isn't going to deter them. Similar amounts for illegal hunting.
But lets call illegal hunting what it really is, its not hunting. Its poaching. Find a farmer who borders a state forest and the stories are long, not tall. Apart from lack of help from the department on feral control, the damage from poachers is a bit astounding. To the point where cut fences is not uncommon with one farmer then having to try to get this stock out of the state forest before they graze on poison flora. One we heard of wasn't as lucky as you'd hope.
With some department staff saying off the record the pig number numbers in the Walpole forest is immense its really time for action as the damage to pea swamps is devastating and we're genuinely looking at an environmental disaster.
Change here is expected to be slow. The wild dog problem further out is only just getting some attention and time will tell if it ends up being significant and helpful.
Problem is clear feral numbers are huge, farmers are curtailed and restricted by the department, who have tiny resources incapable of scratching the surface. On top of that farmers and the department have to deal with poachers.
Its an additional but connected issue but people caught trespassing on private property or state forests with firearms and/or traps on board without proper explanation need severe penalties. Poaching should be a serious offence because it apart from trespassing there's often criminal damage, endangering the landowners, their stock and livelihood but also in some cases the loss of certification through biohazard incursions. If you're a poacher you probably won't trespass if there's a minimum $100,000-250,000 fine and the risk of asset seizure and immediate loss of firearms licence.
It will have to happen and it should...but will it.
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