Law-abiding archers and hunters of NSW join with the public in expressing deep concern over recent examples of native wildlife carrying archery injuries, particularly in the Batemans Bay area where it appears a repeat offender is at work.

Archery clubs spend significant time and resources on education to ensure that every member knows that it is illegal to target native species for any reason whatsoever.

All available evidence suggests these attacks are not the work of experienced hunters or archers as Justin McKee of WIRES is so eager to suggest. 

Rather, based on the evidence, the expert eye discerns detail suggesting an unsupervised child is likely responsible.

Similarities in each case further suggest that in the case of recent incidents in the Batemans Bay area, it is the work of an individual and not irresponsible hunters or archers en masse as Mr McKee is invariably eager to imply.

The solution to limiting these events lies in supervision and education, not in regulation or prohibition. 

The latter push is motivated by a political agenda that Mr McKee is well known for, i.e. the cessation of hunting on all public lands. 

Mr McKee and WIRES are opportunistically promoting the acts of a few misguided individuals in an effort to add veracity to their political agenda.

It is very easy for immoderate, intolerant people to demand the abolition of cultures and activities they have no personal stake in. 

Happily, we live in a moderate society that resists the demands of extremists. 

We resist because tolerant people are capable of looking at the bigger picture that the intolerant cannot see for their own indignation.

On any day of the week, travellers between the coast and Canberra can view seemingly countless cases of wholesale wildlife slaughter occasioned by perfectly responsible road users. 

This does not tell the whole story of course, as we can only guess at how many native animals continue off the road after impact, to die slow painful deaths in the nearby bush.

While these incidents may not all be targeted, some undoubtedly are; few of us have not witnessed someone swerve to run down a harmless turtle or lizard. 

Snakes it seems are fair game. 

Yet we do not brand all road users irresponsible killers simply for the actions of a few.

If seeking to save our rare and vulnerable native fauna is really the motivation, then the solution, at least in part, seems very clear. 

In fact it lies in “regulation” as Mr McKee and WIRES suggest. 

There is abundant scientific evidence demonstrating that lower speeds improve response times, both for the driver and the victim. 

Lowering the speed limit between the coast and Canberra by just 10kmh would save a great many more innocent lives than banning or regulating archery can ever hope to achieve.

Of course we will not consider that option, however logical or merciful, because everyone on the coast - and I presume Mr McKee and his WIRES volunteers can be included in this – has a very clear stake in getting to Canberra in under five hours. 

As a result we accept, however sadly, that road travel will result in some injury and loss of life. 

Thus the thing we have no personal stake in is easy to criticise, regulate or ban. 

Things we have a stake in...not so much.

I say again that responsible hunters and archers of NSW are appalled by reports of wildlife injured by the odd under-supervised novice or even an irresponsible experienced archer. 

We wish to be part of a solution that includes education, respect and tolerance. 

We will gladly work with all responsible agencies and organisations to achieve this end.

Garry Mallard OAM, chairman of the Field Archers and Bowhunters Branch, Shooters and Fishers Party NSW