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Leading Sports Shooting Body

The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (Victoria) was incorporated as a public company on October 1, 1973. We exist to promote the shooting sports and protect firearm owners' interests.

With more than 36,000 members, SSAA Victoria is a leading body representing licensed firearm owners in Victoria. SSAA Victoria has more than a dozen branches and more than 30 sub-clubs and disciplines within the organisation.

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SSAA Victoria News

Tough new test for CPM volunteers

Three out of 11 volunteer hopefuls will now be able to participate in Conservation and Pest Management operations following a shooting assessment on the weekend. These three SSAA Victoria members showed they had the shooting skill required to take part in the CPM program after successfully completing the Association’s updated CPM Accreditation Course. “The new course ensures that we are supplying a high standard of accredited volunteers for the program,” said SSAA Victoria CPM Manager Rhys Coote. Developed with SSAA Victoria’s Assistant Manager Training and Education Fady Khalife, the updated course now has three practical marksmanship components for assessment. With centrefire rifles, the students must hit a 240mm target with three shots off-hand at 50m, three shots seated or kneeling at 75m and four shots prone at 100m. The rimfire component is five shots into a 40mm target at 50m from the bench. Previously, applicants were required to score a minimum 37 out of 40 points shooting at 100m from any position (bench, prone, etc). “This was changed to make it more representative of actual shooting conditions and to ensure a higher skill level and standard of shooting for this program,” Mr Coote said. “We have assessed some really good hunters, but you must be proficient in marksmanship to become an accredited volunteer. “It was a surprise that more applicants didn’t pass but the result highlights the importance of range practice in different field positions to become a proficient hunter.” Mr Coote said that while marksmanship was a key aspect of the accreditation program, there are other important components. “We assess firearm safety knowledge and risk management, rules and responsibilities when shooting on Parks Victoria land, the appropriate firearms for each task, navigation, humane dispatch and hunting experience,” Mr Coote said. “We want to develop a high standard of volunteers who understand Parks Victoria’s expectations.” Parks Victoria funds the CPM program as an initiative to provide a service to control pest species on Parks Victoria-managed land and provide hunting opportunities for SSAA Victoria members. “We currently have 300 accredited CPM volunteers on our database,” Mr Coote said. “These volunteers take part in an average of 100 pest management shoots each year. “To maintain their accreditation their shooting skills will need to be regularly reassessed. “We also get a steady flow of applicants for the program, however, the people who are selected must have a high level of hunting experience and ethics. “If you want to become a successful applicant, it’s also important that you practise the required fundamental shooting skill.” The next CPM Accreditation Course will be held before the end of the year and will process the remaining applicants. Click here to learn more about becoming an accredited SSAA Victoria CPM Program Volunteer.

Duck survey not accurate indicator

News reports about a potentially poor or even cancelled 2019 Duck Season based on the recent Eastern Australia Aerial Waterbird Survey (EAAWS) results are premature. The Weekly Times recently reported that the likelihood of a good duck season were “evaporating” after the EAAWS survey indicated low bird numbers due to drought conditions throughout the Eastern States. However, SSAA Victoria Hunting Development Manager David Laird said it was far too early to predict bird numbers, particularly using the survey as the definitive guide. "EAAWS provides a long-term reference that can be useful in understanding trends in habitat availability and waterbird abundance across much of the continent, but excessive emphasis shouldn't be placed on it when considering the Victorian duck season," he said. "It is not an appropriate tool to predict game duck populations in Victoria during the hunting season and that is not its purpose. "For example, the EAAWS indicated extremely low duck numbers prior to the 2017 season. This prediction was not supported by ground surveys in Victoria prior to the season. "The GMA report, Estimates of harvest for duck and Stubble Quail in Victoria 2017, confirms that it was a very good duck season, with the estimated take above the long-term average.” He said the Association supports a science-based approach to game management and that the Summer Waterfowl Count is a much more accurate indicator of duck numbers leading into duck season. "All evidence has shown that regulated recreational hunting does not threaten the sustainability of duck populations," Mr Laird said. "The GMA recognises that Victoria’s game ducks are highly resilient to harvesting and have strong powers of recovery in response to harvesting and favourable environmental conditions." The Association will continue to monitor seasonal conditions and game duck numbers in the lead-up to the 2019 season. A submission will be lodged with the GMA outlining the Association’s final position on the 2019 season at the appropriate time. In the meantime, the Association is calling on the Government to adopt a scientifically controlled season predictor such as the Waterfowl Conservation Harvest Model (WCHM), which would look at all factors affecting game bird numbers. "The WCHM would enable decisions about such things as bag limits each Duck Season to be based on science and not politics or emotion," Mr Laird said. "We are encouraging decision-makers to commit to a regulated season and bag limits for a period of five years while a WCHM-type system is implemented."

Try shooting for free at Springvale

SSAA invites you to attend our FREE Try Shooting day, where highly trained range officers will show you how to handle a .22 rifle and enjoy the sport of shooting safely. The day is designed to introduce people with no previous experience to the shooting sports with a two-hour session of range shooting. “The Try Shooting Day is a fun introduction to the sport for all abilities and gender in a relaxed, family-friendly environment,” said SSAA National Coaching and Membership Development Manager. “We want to show that sports shooting doesn’t discriminate and is a fun family pastime which can lead to representative shooting at state, national or even international level.” There are limited spots available in two sessions held on the day which includes lunch and the supply of all equipment including the use of a .22 rifle. It is completely free of charge. For details, contact the National Coaching and Development Manager Gemma Dunn via email using cmdm@ssaa.org.au.

Click here to book

Schedule:

Session 1: 10am-noon (latest arrival time is 9:30am).
Lunch
Session 2: 1:30pm-3:30pm (latest arrival time is 1pm).

Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your session time to allow for the completion of sign-in. Each session will have a maximum of 20 participants so get in quick!

More Details:

Spots are limited and online bookings are essential to participate.
Lunch and drinks are provided for participants and guests. There are also canteen facilities on site for other purchases.
All shooting equipment is supplied by SSAA including .22 rifle, ammunition, hearing and eye protection. Participants will be covered by SSAA public liability insurance and temporary Victorian firearms licensing rules and procedures will apply.
All participants must be aged 12 years and over, and comply with state firearms laws and requirements.
Participants must wear appropriate clothing including enclosed shoes (no heels, thongs, singlet tops or camouflage clothing).
Please ensure you bring photo ID (driver's licence, photo ID card or passport).
All participants must follow the SSAA Victoria Springvale Range rules which can be found at https://ssaavic.com.au/ranges/springvale-range/

FAQs

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event? Participants need to be 12 years or older. If a participant is older than 12 and younger than 18, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and the Parent/Guardian Consent Form must be completed upon arrival. What can I bring into the event? Everything is supplied by SSAA however if you feel more comfortable using your own ear and eye protection you are welcome to bring it with you. You can bring cameras but they cannot be mounted to the firearms. Should you have any special dietary requirements we will do our best to cater for you; however, you are welcome to bring your own food on the day. There is also Bruno's Cafe on site if you wish to purchase other items. What guns do I get to shoot? You will be shown how to use a .22 rifle which will be supplied on the day. Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event? It is preferable that you bring your printed ticket. We will, however, accept a mobile version for viewing on the day. You must provide a copy of your ticket either way as it is your confirmation of securing a spot to the session. Is my registration fee or ticket transferable? We will allow tickets to be transferred as long as there is one participant per session in attendance. Is it OK if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends? Tickets are transferable. We will need to capture the details of the attendee via photo ID on the day prior to shooting.

Aerial cull nets 119 deer in 20 hours

Parks Victoria has reported that its contracted shooters dispatched 119 deer in 20 hours during the aerial deer culling trial held in the Mt Buffalo and Alpine National Parks on October 16-18. SSAA Victoria was given an update on the trial and was told the results equated to around one deer shot every 10 minutes of flying time. A helicopter was used to target deer in areas around Mt Buffalo, Mt Feathertop and Mt Pinnibar, which included inaccessible and rugged terrain. “During the operation, the air observers could identify significant track networks and large wallows that had been formed by deer across the park,” said a Parks Victoria spokesman. “The aim of the operation was to trial aerial shooting in spring at a range of elevations and in a variety of terrain and vegetation types. “Data collected from the trial will be reviewed to improve our understanding of the technique and how it might be used as part of an integrated mix of methodologies for managing deer to protect these environmentally sensitive areas.” An independent vet was employed to monitor the animal welfare outcomes. All carcass locations were recorded and 10 per cent were examined by the vet to ensure shooting was carried out humanely. Those near waterways were visited and moved where required to prevent contamination of water catchments. The trial was part of Parks Victoria’s Alpine conservation strategy, in line with the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) and the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988). SSAA Victoria is waiting to see the full report including the cost of the trial and impact on hunting opportunities in areas adjacent to the trial zones. “Recreational hunting opportunities must not be impacted by aerial deer culling,” SSAA Victoria Hunting Development Manager David Laird said. “We will continue to argue that recreational hunting is a better and cheaper alternative to aerial culling in most cases. “However, we also understand the need to protect environmentally sensitive areas in places where hunting is not currently permitted. Mr Laird said the fact that recreational hunters take more than 100,000 deer each year shows that hunting is an effective method of controlling deer numbers. “We will push for hunters to be given greater access to the National Parks where deer are prevalent.” Parks Victoria said all the data collected will be reviewed at the end of the aerial control trial. “The results will be combined with those from the ongoing ground shooting trial to find the best mix of methods to control the deer population,” Parks Victoria said. “It will allow Parks Victoria to determine the level of deer control required to protect the environmentally sensitive areas and the best combination of techniques to use. “An ongoing, sustainable deer control action plan will then be prepared in line with the recently released Draft Victorian Deer Management Strategy.” SSAA Victoria understands that the trial will conclude after a further cull which is scheduled to take place in late summer.

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