Western Australia’s new firearms legislation came into effect at the end of March. Over the past month, thousands of confused and angry landowners and hunters have reacted to the changes. The amended statutes now have people registering through a state-run digital system to get clearance to shoot on privately held ground. This move away from the traditional face-to-face system has raised fears among experienced wildlife managers. For those like Ernie Flannigan who have used personal contacts for the last 30 years, this new system is frightening.
Seventy-year-old Ernie Flannigan has spent most of his life tracking kangaroos and goannas on Yuin. This time, though, he’s doing it for the first time with an unknown process. He helps out his older relatives by sharing meat from his pursuits as well, such as kangaroo and emu. The recent federal rule changes caused confusion over what was allowed. In the process, he and others like him become discouraged and disoriented in the ever-changing educational technology jungle.
Mr. Flannigan with the Transportation Alternatives Movement offered some astute observations and critiques of the online portal system. “When you go and see the property owners they don’t know what’s going on either,” he said, highlighting the widespread confusion among the community.
Technical Issues Compound Hunter Frustration
Yet as the new online system has launched, many users have faced major technical issues—including overwhelming web traffic that crashes the system—making the registration process even more complicated. Lawrence Panaia from the WA Police Firearms Licensing Team acknowledged these issues, stating, “There seems to be an issue with our system that we are working to fix now.” He asked for understanding from the community as they continue to address these issues.
Despite these assurances, frustrations continue to mount. Mr. Foulkes-Taylor, a long-time hunter on Yuin, described his experience trying to register as “angry, frustrated, confused and rejected.” On the fifth try, he even called the portal a “complete and utter waste of time.” Others in the community were quick to second his remark.
“You’re expected to go in for half an hour every several days and see how you’re going … and it’s all to no avail,” Mr. Foulkes-Taylor added. He gets doubly aggravated when other hunters call him looking for new permissions in this brave new world. Unfortunately, he is unable to register himself.
A Call for Understanding and Support
Given these rising pressures, Mr. Foulkes-Taylor has appealed to Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis for support. He was adamant that the vast majority of the hunting community wants to and does abide by the law. They are by and large impacted unfairly by the new regulations. “He has to go to a third party to get help, but that help doesn’t exist because the system that the government is telling us is making us safer is absolutely pounding law-abiding citizens,” he lamented.
Many hunters are frustrated not just by technical challenges. They think the new rules are pushing them back to the Stone Age. Barb Quayle voiced similar concerns, stating, “It’s not very nice. I think they just want us to go back to the olden days, walk around with a spear and a boomerang. It’s not like that anymore.”
Hunters like Mr. Flannigan assist elder relatives by supplementing their diets with game harvested by hunters. The new system has added hurdles for them. “A lot of the family is a bit old, they can’t go out, so I go out and get kangaroo meat for them,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of maintaining traditional hunting practices within families.
The Need for Clarity in Regulations
There’s an overwhelming call from the hunting community that clearer communication is needed about these new changes to the law and what they mean for hunters. The old system provided the forum for open dialogue between hunters and landowners, building trust and awareness. With the new change to an online portal, this personal connection feels lost.
As Mr. Foulkes-Taylor noted, “They’re asking us for advice, can we give them permission, to which I have to answer ‘no, we can’t give you permission yet because under the new system we can’t even get lined up.’” This statement underscores the disconnect between governmental regulations and the realities faced by those who rely on hunting for sustenance.
As Western Australia navigates these legislative changes, it remains crucial for authorities to address the concerns of its citizens effectively. The hunting community deserves clarity and support as they learn to navigate these new requirements.
