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Andrew Murray

Hello all,

There has recently been announced a massive lifting of restrictions on Kangaroo shooting by the NSW government in light of this massive drought Australia is sitting in presently. The rules are nearly a free for all, the landowner only needs to gain permission which I am sure will be handed out like political pamphlets at a voting booth on election day; the type of landowner has been widened and limits have been removed as well as the "let lie" rules once shot. The carcasses must not be taken off the property (for commercial purposes) but otherwise do what you want...

I know most shooters care little for roos. Some kind of beast that is shot but not spoken about for fear of prosecution. But we know they are shot because people brag either through ignorance or pride. I am guilty of this myself, I am cautious to type it even as there are severe penalties for shooting protected species.

That said, I did some math. The CSIRO recommends that we eat no more than 455g of red meat a week. An average Eastern Grey Kangaroo weighs 40kg, we can assume that half of that is usable meat. If the adult Australian population ate 500g of Kangaroo a week there would be enough meat to feed the country their red meat for 31 years. That is based solely on their numbers today (estimated 11 million).

Certainly one way to think about it... pest or resource? They are far better adapted to this country than sheep and beef, their environmental impact is nil. And they are tasty too.

It does beg the question why they are being culled. I know why the government says they are but does it stack up?

I'll post a link where you can register as a volunteer shooter. It is my hope you'll eat some and see their value beyond a hopping target. If yu end its life and eat it I think you will appreciate them some more.