The Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA) has advised that it will be undertaking an ongoing baiting program on all public land in the Snowy District, in the Colquhoun and Kenny Forests in the Tambo District, and in the Red Bluff section of the Lakes Entrance-Lake Tyers Coastal Reserve, to control foxes.
The closures in the State Forests, in particular, will effectively restrict access for hound hunters and for deer hunters who use gundogs and deer hunting dogs. Whist SSAA Victoria acknowledges that baiting can play an important role in conservation programs, the impact on amenity and animal welfare needs to be balanced with that.
Timing of programs
- Fox control on all public land (State Forests and National Parks) in the Snowy District is continuous from April 5th 2023, until October 5th 2023.
- Fox control on public land (State Forests and National Parks) in the Kenny and Colquhoun Forests in the Tambo District will occur from May 1st 2023, and continue until May 15th 2023 (14 days), July 17th 2023 and continue until July 31st 2023, (14 days), and from October 9th 2023 and continue until October 23rd 2023 (14 days). Outside of these dates, unpoisoned baits will be buried in bait stations in these forests.
- Fox control in the Red Bluff section of the Lakes Entrance-Lake Tyers Coastal Reserve will continue from April 5th 2023 until October 5th 2023. Baits will only be placed on the forest tracks in this reserve and NOT along the beachfront.
Lethality of baits
No known antidote exists for 1080, and unauthorised people should not handle baits. There is an antidote for PAPP, but a veterinarian must administer it within 30 minutes of bait consumption. Unrestrained pets may be at risk. Please heed all warning signs and keep pets under control to ensure they do not consume baits.
