Bushfire recovery dog & fox bounty details

Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper, today announced details of the Bracks Government’s $1 million Bushfire Recovery Fox and Wild Dog Bounty.

In a visit to Victoria’s north-east, Mr Helper said the initiative was developed primarily to curb fox and wild dog numbers in bushfire-affected areas.

“This is in addition to existing control programs which take an integrated approach to pest animal management,” Mr Helper said.

“The bounty will help reduce numbers during the unique set of circumstances the fires have created.

“As has always been the case, the fox bounty will operate across the state but collection centres will be focussed in the fire-affected areas of the north-east, Gippsland and the south-west.”

The Bracks Government bounty will run for up to six months, providing $10 for foxes and $50 for wild dogs.

Mr Helper said the wild dog bounty would be available in designated wild dog areas in the state’s east and private land areas adjoining the perimeter of the Wyperfeld National Park and Big Desert Wilderness Park in the west of the state.

“Only members of the Sporting Shooters Association of Victoria (SSAA), Field and Game Australia (FGA) and the Australian Deer Association (ADA) who are Victorian residents or land owners in designated wild dog control areas will be eligible for the wild dog bounty,” he said.

Mr Helper said the Department of Primary Industries had consulted with the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), SSAA, FGA, ADA, the Dingo CARE Network and the Department of Sustainability and Environment before finalising the bounty guidelines.

Collections will be once a month at each location. Specific collection times at each location will be announced shortly. The first collections are expected to start at the end of April.

Fox Collection Centres:
Bendigo, Mansfield, Benalla, Myrtleford, Wodonga, Tallangatta, Broadford, Warragul, Maffra, Bairnsdale, Swan Hill, Horsham, Warrnambool, Colac, Ballarat. Claimants must present a scalp consisting of both ears and an intact strip of skin connecting the ears. No other parts will be accepted.

Wild Dog Collection Centres:
Bairnsdale, Heyfield, Warragul, Mansfield, Myrtleford, Tallangatta, Rainbow. Claimants must present a single piece of skin and fur running from the snout, incorporating the ears, along the animal’s back and including the tail. No other parts will be accepted.

For further information on the Bushfire Recovery Fox and Wild Dog Bounty contact the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.