https://www.abc.net.au/news/20...rrow-death/100043886



RSPCA calls for SA bow hunting ban after suspicious death of sea lion

ABC Eyre Peninsula / By Evelyn Leckie
Posted Yesterday at 12:32am, updated Yesterday at 12:35am


RSPCA SA wants a ban on bow hunting, saying it is an inhumane way to kill animals.(Flickr: Kyle M)


The discovery of a dead Australian sea lion with a longbow arrow embedded close to its head has sparked renewed calls for a ban on all bow hunting in South Australia.

Key points:

RSPCA SA is calling for a total ban on bow hunting ahead of a state parliamentary inquiry into the practice
It follows the suspicious death of an Australian sea lion on Kangaroo Island

RSPCA SA says all animals, including feral animals, should not suffer a slow and painful death

RSPCA SA's animal welfare advocate Rebekah Eyers said the organisation was appalled to hear of the incident on Kangaroo Island.

"All types of bows should be banned for hunting, simply because there is no way that any kind of bow can humanely kill an animal," Dr Eyers said.

It comes as a state parliamentary inquiry considers the future of bow hunting.

Dr Eyers said although Australian sea lions were protected species, no animal should endure a slow and painful death.

"It's a very inhumane way to kill an animal and it certainly should not be used for any species, including pests or feral animals," she said.


"Animals remain conscious while they die from massive blood loss — an animal fatally shot can take several minutes or even longer to die.

"In that time, they do suffer severe pain and trauma because of the damage to their tissues and their organs."

Inquiry considers bow hunting

In South Australia, bows can legally be used to hunt feral species on private land with the landholder's permission.

An inquiry is underway to consider the adequacy of current licensing and compliance arrangements, as well as a comparison with other states and how they manage the practice.

Native animals are illegal to hunt with a bow in all states, and feral animals are legal to bow hunt in all states except Tasmania.


Some states such as South Australia, however, only allow the practice on private land.

New South Wales allows bow hunting on private and crown land — with licensing requirements.

"Tasmania is leading the way and has banned all bows for any type of animal hunting, and that is certainly what we would like to see in South Australia," Dr Eyres said.

'Don't tar us all with the same brush'

Mark Banasiak, a member of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party in the NSW Legislative Council, said incidences like what happened on Kangaroo Island were not representative of the bow hunting culture.

"If they were true bow hunters they would be using correct arrows, you've seen a lot of those photos [generally on social media] — they're just using target arrows," he said.

"Bow hunting is very ethical like all hunting is.

"You shouldn't be tarring everyone with the same brush, just because there's a small minority of the population that does the wrong thing.

"To have a blanket ban approach is short-sighted."

SA's Department of Environment and Water is investigating the incident on Kangaroo Island. Anyone with information is urged to contact the department's investigation unit.

Submissions to SA's bow inquiry close on April 9.

There we go again!

Mass punishment!

Only brainless idiots think this way.

Target the criminals.

But of course, to do that one needs a bit of brains!

Something lacking in these zombies!

See wha I mean?

Give them an in, they take a mile!

Tell them to stuff it!

So if they had hit it with a boat they would ban all boats? Amazing.

Obviously someone is looking for any excuse.

Yep they walk amongst us

a well placed sharp broadhead is quick kill. a conservation officer in Ohio was accidentaly shot he said he did not know he had been hit until he felt wet inside his rain pants and found blood.