Wilsons Prom Report

Wilson’s Prom Report from CPM Co-ordinator – Alan Norman Monday 22nd August 2016 Arrived at Wilson’s Prom for a 3 day Hog Deer Cull organised in partnership with Parks Vic, SSAA Vic and ADA. The weather was overcast with intermittent showers – in fact, cold & wet.

There was a 5 man team from SSAA Vic, Melbourne Branch and 5 man team from SSAA Vic, East Gippsland Branch. There was a 10 man team from ADA {not sure of how wide they range across the state}. In addition we had Rhys Coote, SSAA VIC CPM Manager, Steve Garlick, ADA CPM Co-ordinator, members from Parks Vic and also from GMA {Game management Authority.

For the duration of our stay we were all housed in a spacious bunkhouse with sleeping facility for 24, although there were only 11 that used it. There were 2 other bunkhouses in use for the ADA and GMA teams.

Tuesday 23rd August 2016 08:00 - we were given a mission briefing and safety talk, issued relevant maps, as per the roster, and trunk radios. The Incident Controller, Brett Mitchell, from Parks Vic, advised us that each trunk radio cost $1500 and if you damaged it or drowned it, you now owned it {meaning you just bought it – makes for an expensive few days}.

In the afternoon we went out to familiarise ourselves with our hunting blocks under the guidance of a Parks Ranger. It was up to us to be organised for an early start the following morning.

Wednesday 24th August 2016 & Thursday 25th August 2016 04:00 – wake up 05:00 – be at the airstrip 06:00 – to be in position to shoot 11:00 – take a break 13:00 – to be back in position to shoot 18:00 – back to camp

All up the exercise was extremely well run, with the emphasis on safety first, deer on the ground second. The total of Hog Deer harvested was 44. 2 Sambar Deer were also taken at the end of the last day.

This is 4 greater than the cull in August 2015. Talk is that this will be an annual event, given the success so far.

Everyone followed the rules and there were no incidents, so high chance that we will be invited back next year.

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