Hi: Can anyone tell me why you don't hunt crocs in Aus like they hunt alligators in the US?I thiink it makes sense to hunt them for meat and hides. What do you guys think?A regulated hunt would not endanger the population. Dan

Misplaced greenie concern for native animals, mainly.

In the 1950s and '60s it seems hunting nearly wiped them out so they banned it. Now the critters are apparently everywhere and the government is still wrestling with consciences and the need to maintain Greens support in Parliament.

There was a plan to allow a limited number of crocs to be shot by safari clients but I think that may have sunk like a just-shot salty.

Anyway, I'm sure Matt et al will have the true oil.

Hi: I hear alligator meat is really good as long as you trim off the fat so i figure croc would be good to.Dan

I've had Gator tail in the US and Croc Tail in Africa (no one else other than my wife would try it). Both were equally good.

Sambarman's summed it up pretty well.

Crocs are farmed in Oz for both meat and hides but the idea of someone paying to shoot is still completely unacceptable to various federal governments.

Personally, I think it would be a very useful source of funding for indigenous communities if the bulk of the trophy fees went to them.

However, don't hold your breath, it ain't gonna happen anytime soon.

I've eaten gator and caiman, and enjoyed it, but the old time tales are that big salties are not palatable at all.
Here's some crocs from west of Kakadu, mostly along Sampan Creek .










that's a buffalo this big croc has drowned

I've eaten croc but I think its very bland. Nice pics Steve

Great photos, Steve!

You can thank Steve Irwin(ironically the "`croc hunter") for NOT allowing croc hunting. A few years ago(before the stingray incident), there was in the works a plan to give some of the croc permits to outfitters, Steve Irwin used his personal relationship with government officials to prevent foreign hunters from shooting "his" crocs. There is absolutely no reason that lots of money couldn't be brought into OZ by a few permits going to outfitters and it would have zero negative effect on the croc population as the large crocs are the ones usually trapped or shot as a hazard to people or livestock anyway. The reason given for denying the permits was "it would be giving the wrong message". A couple years ago, I talked to the government trapper, by June of that year he had already trapped EIGHT maneating sized crocs from the "swimming hole" under the bridge in Katherine. Lots of the big crocs trapped, die from the stress involved, so they are paying to have the crocs killed rather than bringing LOTS of money into the country, by having foreign hunters shoot them(and keeping the remaining ones wary of people).

Another reason only yesterday.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/sto...11/02/20/3143649.htm

I always here in cold chilly England used to enjot the Major in "Bush Tucker Man" wearing his S & W Magnum on his belt when in "croc" territory!

quote:

Originally posted by loboga:
You can thank Steve Irwin(ironically the "`croc hunter") for NOT allowing croc hunting. A few years ago(before the stingray incident), there was in the works a plan to give some of the croc permits to outfitters, Steve Irwin used his personal relationship with government officials to prevent foreign hunters from shooting "his" crocs. There is absolutely no reason that lots of money couldn't be brought into OZ by a few permits going to outfitters and it would have zero negative effect on the croc population as the large crocs are the ones usually trapped or shot as a hazard to people or livestock anyway. The reason given for denying the permits was "it would be giving the wrong message". A couple years ago, I talked to the government trapper, by June of that year he had already trapped EIGHT maneating sized crocs from the "swimming hole" under the bridge in Katherine. Lots of the big crocs trapped, die from the stress involved, so they are paying to have the crocs killed rather than bringing LOTS of money into the country, by having foreign hunters shoot them(and keeping the remaining ones wary of people).

Even since Steves death the croc safari hunting proposals have been rejected by the Fed Govt. The main reason being that we couldnt 'guarantee' a single killing shot.

Yeah Matt, Poor old Steve should have been wearing lots of Sunbloc, It protects us from ''Harmful Rays''

Ta - Boom - tish!!!

quote:

EIGHT maneating sized crocs from the "swimming hole" under the bridge in Katherine

I used to put my boat in under that bridge. Used to see black fella's swimming in there all the time. I told one he was crazy swimming there and he just said "nah croc wont eat me". The white fella's used to swim down at the low level but even there I got nervous. If it didn't have a black line painted on the bottom I didn't swim in it.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Graham:

quote:

Originally posted by loboga:
You can thank Steve Irwin(ironically the "`croc hunter") for NOT allowing croc hunting. A few years ago(before the stingray incident), there was in the works a plan to give some of the croc permits to outfitters, Steve Irwin used his personal relationship with government officials to prevent foreign hunters from shooting "his" crocs. There is absolutely no reason that lots of money couldn't be brought into OZ by a few permits going to outfitters and it would have zero negative effect on the croc population as the large crocs are the ones usually trapped or shot as a hazard to people or livestock anyway. The reason given for denying the permits was "it would be giving the wrong message". A couple years ago, I talked to the government trapper, by June of that year he had already trapped EIGHT maneating sized crocs from the "swimming hole" under the bridge in Katherine. Lots of the big crocs trapped, die from the stress involved, so they are paying to have the crocs killed rather than bringing LOTS of money into the country, by having foreign hunters shoot them(and keeping the remaining ones wary of people).

Even since Steves death the croc safari hunting proposals have been rejected by the Fed Govt. The main reason being that we couldnt 'guarantee' a single killing shot.

Yeah, thats snafu gov behaviour, "we were wrong, so we are going to continue to come up with stupid excuses to avoid admitting it". I guess it makes them feel better to have the dead ones in the traps and "guarantee" that they don't get lost!

Those Australian crocs have learned to have no fear of man (but they still keep one eye open). We could approach to within 15 yds of nearly every big croc on Sampan Creek. African crocs and South American caiman disappear at the first sight of man (although they're still dangerous). If/Whenever the looneys in Gov't decide to open a croc season, I would love to see a "day-before" and a "day after" video of the Sampan Creek crocs. Betcha every one of those lizards would revert almost instantly to the "disappear at first sight" Modus.

Y'all (means all in the group - it's a Texas thing) read this?

http://www.bernama.com/bernama...sworld.php?id=566517

quote:

Originally posted by Gayne C. Young:
Y'all (means all in the group - it's a Texas thing) read this?

http://www.bernama.com/bernama...sworld.php?id=566517

Pretty simple really, if you go swimming in waters where crocs live,
expect to get eaten.

.

Australia & New Zealand Hunting : Australia: NT renews push for croc safari hunting
on 2011/3/2 16:29:53

The Northern Territory Government is lobbying the Federal Government to reconsider its objections to crocodile safari hunting in the Top End.

Under Commonwealth law saltwater crocodiles are protected.

There have been renewed calls for the culling of the animals after a suspected deadly attack on a 14-year-old boy in Milingimbi, 400 kilometres east of Darwin, last weekend.

Northern Territory Environment Minister Karl Hampton says he has invited federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to visit the Top End.

"Talk to a lot of the Indigenous groups, go and visit, see first hand what opportunities there are in terms of economic development, creating Indigenous jobs," Mr Hampton said.

"So I'm heartened with the response I've got to date from Tony and we'll continue to talk and continue to push for that safari hunting opportunity for the Territory."

Mr Hampton acknowledged more can be done to educate children in remote communities about the dangers of saltwater crocodiles.

"I'm really sad about what happened [in Milingimbi]," he said.

"I think we need to continue with the education campaign out there and get back out to those remote communities as well and make sure that through the schools, the DVDs, the posters are there, the teachers are talking to the kids in the school about being croc-wise."

Can't see it happening while the Greens (hack-spit) are basically in control of the Fed Govt...