Melbourne Branch ROAR

Sambar’s Roar The bi-monthly newsletter of the Melbourne Branch of the Australian Deer Association Inc.

ABN 44 060 933 897. PO. Box 258, Bulleen. Melbourne. Victoria. Australia. 3105

October 2020 Volume 40 Issue 5

Page 1 of 26

Page 2 of 26

Melbourne Branch will be running two new contests through the Branch Facebook. There

are two reasons for these contests. Firstly, we would like to generate content for our

Facebook pages and for the Roar and secondly and more importantly Deer hunting is really

part of our DNA, so we as members of our association need to pass on our traditions to new

hunters, so that our hunting heritage in Australia is kept strong and alive. The “hunt” is all

about fair chase, respect, family, friends and fun safely.

Hunting, nostalgia, food and tradition go together.

We will be awarding prizes, each month. The contests areas are Recipes of Game food and

Nostalgia Photographs.

Our committee Chef, Mark Fitzmaurice will be judging the best Recipe, and our committee

photographer, Bruce Oswald, will be judging the best Nostalgia Photo.

Please get involved, and dig out those old photos, and recipes and send them to

Facebook Contests

Melbourne Branch Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/adamelbourneBranch/

Kieran Connell

Melbourne Branch Editor, Roar Magazine

[email protected]sn.au 0403 025 428

P.S. An open invitation to members who have time on their hands. How about putting an article (simple story,

pictures and links to interesting YouTube clips.) together to share with our members in the Roar and on Facebook

page to help us be better hunters.

Topics could include walk throughs on,

• How to sharpen your knife

• The basic steps and equipment needed to reload a cartridge

• How to clean and oil your rifle

• How to boar sight your rifle

• What’s in your backpack

• Useful items to take on a backpack hunt

• Tech reports on what you have found to be good quality items you use for hunting e.g. boots, packs etc.

• Items you should take to the at the “range”

• Stories about hunting using quad bikes for transport on large acreage farms

• Quad bike mods [legal ones]

• How do you store, carry and care for your cooking and food needs e.g. seasoning your camp oven

• Steps to make your own knife and scabbard

These articles will help broaden our member knowledge and keep up our interest in hunting when we are locked

down.

 
Page 3 of 26 
 
 
 
pp  
02) Branch Competitions 
04) President’s Roar 
05) New Members 
05) Bow Hunting 
05) Walter’s Musings  
06) Hunting Dog Report 
08) Member Story 
09)     Recipe Rabbit Cacciatore: From Chef Daniel Airo-Farulla  
11) Aerial Baiting Program 
12) Outdoor Shop 
13) Member Pictures 
13) Wanted_to_Buy 
14) For_Sale 
19) Tech Article 1:  Obtaining Permission to Hunt – Useful tips for Hunters 
20) Firearm User Group 
22) Tech Article 2:  Paul Boag Q&A  
23) ADA Melbourne Branch Safety Code of Conduct 
24) Melbourne Branch Calendar 
25) Calendar of Public Holidays 
26) ADA Melbourne Committee Members 
 
The Austrian Club  
90 Sheehan Rd, Heidelberg West VIC 3081 
 
   
Looks 
delicious see 
Page 9 

Page 4 of 26

G’day all.

Hope you're all well and keeping safe. Coping with all the new Covid-19 normal restrictions can only be described as

the most challenging and exhausting times we have had to face in recent memory. The year 2020 can only be best

described as a write-off.

It's been very frustrating too, as nearly all Branch based activities have been cancelled and our Branch committee

meeting shave been conducted via zoom. I am especially disappointed that we were unable to see our 50th

Anniversary celebrated this year. However, we are continuing to communicate with our 2000+ members on

Facebook and letting them know what is happening in the deer hunter’s sphere of interest.

We are hopefully optimistic of holding the December meeting to draw the lucky hunters for the Blond Bay Ballot. It's

also our traditional yearly Auction Night, and we hope the easing of restrictions will allow us to hold the event. We

are also planning to put on an end of year BBQ, with free venison burgers and snags. If restrictions are still on, plan B

will mean a drive thru contactless service.

We have a new sponsor, Illana Daros, is a pastry chef who deigns and creates great cakes for any occasion. She made

my son's birthday cake recently and will make a cake for us to enjoy at each of our Branch hunts when they resume.

If you need a cake for any occasion seek her out and make the occasion even more enjoyable. Don't forget to

mention you're a member of ADA.

l engaged knife maker, Adam Parker to create a knife for my son Aaron. We have captured the process on video and

we will put in on our Facebook page for your viewing pleasure.

Look out for it.

The Branch camp trailer is getting a fresh coat of paint and a bit of

a tidy up.

Those not facing stage 4 restrictions are luckily still hunting about,

with friends in Gippsland and the North East putting deer on the

ground. There has been a lot of concern from our members

regarding the aerial culling of deer in the high country open to

recreational hunting. Rest assured that ADA is continuing to

communicate with ParksVic on this matter and press forward our

view.

The Branch will also be running some competitions, to keep

members engaged. We are looking for interesting photos that can

win you some interesting prizes.

Categories are below

1 Nostalgia photo with your hunting dog

2 Photo of a junior above the age of 12, with their first taken

animal.

3 Nostalgia photo of an old 4x4 vehicle, involved in a hunt.

Prizes include: A Swag Cover, Dry Dog Food, Head light and Kids camo pack.

Details in the newsletter.

Regards,

Gino Lendaro, Melbourne Branch President, Australian Deer Association

[email protected] 0418 994 281

Adam Parker has made a video of the

forging of these two knives with a sambar

handle, sharpener and caper. The video will

be placed onto our Melbourne Branch

Page 5 of 26

Please join with us to welcome the following members when we can again get together. Pleasingly, we now have

995 members including family members.

Glen Downey, George Gorgievski, Brendon Laws, Adrian Tkatchyk, Costa Negrepontis, Narelle Negrepontis, Cooper

Negrepontis, Cj Negrepontis, Cameron Dent, Richard Lyons, Taylor Sabo, James Linnie, Robert Rudd, Paul Czech,

Konstantinos Samartzis, Thespina Samartzis, Konstantina Samartzis, Georgios Samartzis, Eirini Samartzis, Marice

Collin, Phillip Burnell, Soheil Navidi, Shane Ahchow

Victoria - Firearm Safety Course available online

In order to maintain social distancing and travel restrictions with COVID-19 restrictions, Victoria Police are now

offering firearm safety courses online. Completing the course online will minimise the time new hunters have to

wait to get licensed and ready to commence the great outdoor adventure as Victoria opens back up.

Details on the Victoria Police website.

From Kieran the editor of the Roar, I would like to encourage all our members who hunt with bows to take pictures

and submit articles that can be shared with fellow hunters.

Walk us through how you sight in your bows, types of arrows, show us equipment you use and what tips and tricks

you use to silently approach wary target.

I am, like most of you, still in lock down and unable to hunt. Boy, is my freezer getting empty. Only a little venison

left which came from the culling program, a pair of ducks, one Hare, two mutton birds and one pickled pademelon

from Tassie. Mind you, there are a couple of mystery bags that I can’t identify. By the time the restrictions are

lifted, it will probably be too hot to go hunting. I hope you are coping as best as you can under these difficult

circumstances.

Page 6 of 26

Since my last report, there have been significant changes to the ADA Board. Our long-serving National President,

David Voss, have retired, as have John Mumford and Brian Boyle. All three have contributed much to the

Association and I would like to thank them for their hard work over the years.

Under David’s watch – almost 10 years – the Association has:

• Grown in membership by 50 %

• Adopted a modern constitution

• Transitioned to a modern, skills-based board of management

• Moved Australian Deer magazine to its current large format

• Formed four new Branches

• Introduced five new Life Members.

Three new high caliber candidates have filled the vacancies and will join the board in 2020/21. They are: Dr Tim

Nevard, David Pope and Col Brumley. We all know Col from when he was the Victorian State President, and he will

now take on the role of Chairman. Col is an experienced company director and the managing director of a

manufacturing business.

Dr Tim Nevard has a PhD in ecology and evolutionary genetics and now is largely retired from the corporate world.

Tim has committed his working life to sustainable businesses and nature conservation, for which he was awarded

the Order of Australia and Centenary of Federation Medals. Tim and his family have a longstanding involvement

with deer in Australia and overseas. Tim is keen to help the ADA build high quality research partnerships.

David Pope has spent the last 25 years as a board member and director of a number of Australian defence and global

infrastructure organisations. David has now left the corporate world and today owns and runs two family businesses.

David likes to spend as much time as possible bow hunting with his Son.

The ADA Board is also establishing an Advisory Council to support the board achieve its ambitious goals and strategic

plan. The Advisory Councilors will be asked to share their perspectives and experiences from both inside and outside

the association. Membership of the Council will be via invitation from the Board and will be reviewed annually. The

inaugural members of the Council will be Professor Bruce Oswald (Director of the Asia Pacific Centre for Military

Law) and Mr Adam Szlicht (defence consultant, Masters in Systems Engineering).

As you read this, the ADA major raffle with some excellent prizes is sold out. The money raised goes into the Geoff

Moore Fund, which is spent on advancing hunting and deer management. The prizes include:

• Guided Hog Deer hunt by Hog Deer Hunting Australia,

• Swarovski Optik Z6 telescope,

• Paul Boag guided Sambar hunt,

• Stoney Creek $1000.00 voucher,

• R & N Blades voucher and a

• GME UHF radio.

Tickets are limited, so get in early. Members have been emailed a link to the raffle or visit the ADA website:

www.austdeer.asn.au/raffle .

The ADA Board and National Office are starting to run a few communication, education and special interest

webinars, with the first one held recently featured Paul Boag. Around 275 people viewed it and if you missed it, you

can view it on the ADA’s website.

Just a reminder that the 2021 Hog Deer ballot is open and you can see full details on page 11 of the current

Australian Deer magazine. Hopefully the hunt will proceed.

There is much public angst over the aerial deer culling currently taking place in the high country. We are taking

advice over this so we can formulate a plan that will be most effective, and members will be updated on our action.

See the message from Barry Howlett, our Association Executive Officer later in this ROAR.

Page 7 of 26

During these difficult times, if you are financially struggling to renew your membership, please contact the

Membership Officer at natmem@austdeer.asn.au, to give you options to help you through.

Finally, if you have any questions or concerns, let me know and I will get an answer from the Board or the Executive

Officer.

Regards

Walter Albert

walter@precisiontoolanddie.com.au

Rabbit Cacciatore – Daniel Airo-Farulla

● 1 Large Rabbit (portioned)

● 2 onions, chopped

● 1 chilli

● 1 leek, chopped

● 50gr dry porcini

● 50gr Chestnut mushrooms (or any variety of

mushroom)

● 2 cloves Garlic

● 1 teaspoon fennel seeds

● 2 Bay leaves, fine chop

● 3 Kipfler potato, cut in 2cm pieces

● Sage

● Thyme

● Parsley

● 1 cup white wine

● Salt & Pepper to taste

● 150ml Extra virgin olive oil

Page 8 of 26

1. Begin by portioning the rabbit into pieces. I usually remove the legs from

the joints and then break down the mid-section and ribs into 6 or so pieces

depending on the size of the rabbit.

Marinate the pieces of rabbit with the chopped herbs, half of the EVOO and

a little amount of pepper. Set this aside or you could leave this overnight in

the fridge.

2. Soak the dry porcini in 2 cups of hot water for 15 minutes and agitate them

to remove any soil particles, which is common for these mushrooms.

3. Using a heavy based pot add a little EVOO and bring to a high heat . Gently

place the pieces of rabbit in to seal and brown the meat. At this point I

season the meat generously with salt & pepper. Once the meat is browned

remove from the pot and place into a deep sided baking tray.

4. Without washing the pot add the remaining EVOO and fry off the

onion, garlic and chili. To this add the leek, fennel seeds, bay leaf,

potato and chestnut mushrooms. When these are all softened

and have some colour add the drained Porcini mushrooms.

(When draining the porcini take care not to agitate the bottom

cm of liquid as this is where the sand will be. Better to use a

slotted spoon or sieve to scoop out and drain the mushrooms) Do

not throw away the liquid as this will go into the pot also.

5. Add in the cup of wine and all but the bottom cm of porcini

soaking liquid. Bring to the boil and check seasoning.

6. Carefully transfer the contents from the pot to the rabbit in the

baking tray. Cover with foil and bake in a moderate oven (170-

180deg) for approx. 1.5hrs or until the meat is falling off the

bone. Serve with soft polenta.

This recipe lends well to cooking in the camp oven over a gentle

fire or coals.

SOMEONE’S GOT TO DO IT. By Chris Whyte

Had a little job to do in Omeo, so my mate Bom and I thought we

would make a long weekend out of it and head up to the

Dartmouth, catch some fish, have a look for a deer or two. Given

we are lucky enough to be East Gippslanders and aren’t in the

harsh Melbourne lock down, as a lot of keen hunters are.

Job out of the way and off we went. We set up camp and had a

go at fishing, but this was no good because of 1 ½ inches of rain two days before. We were off to look for a deer,

drove up a track and a quick walk over the side where we had a good vantage point looking across a thick gully head.

We have seen deer here before and two hours later we had seen 6 deer, one 20inch stag, Hinds and some calves, so

back to camp for a feed and a few beers.

Our 2019 Game Food Dinner, hare

supplier, Chris Whyte has had a successful

Covid shutdown as he lives in Gippsland,

chasing Sambar with hounds and

stalking. Nice stag, stalked.

Page 9 of 26

Next morning nature called early and I was up and gone by

5.20am. I walked from camp a couple of gullies and saw lots

of fresh sign because of the previous rain. Then a hind

caught my eye, I watched her for a bit then tried to get to a

tree 10ft away, cracked a stick and then there was a honk

and three deer took off heading in the same direction I was

heading. I went a bit higher than them and looked back on

the face that I had just come from. Saw another two deer

and watched them for a while. I kept going finding a fresh

wallow, so I stalked over the next ridge stopping to have a

look. Then I saw a very dark bodied deer and I thought he

went over the top of the hill. I then saw a tall sapling swaying

from side to side through the Bino’s. I moved up hill a bit and

saw him rubbing and scraping his antlers on the tree and

ground, then standing on his hind legs straight up rubbing his face on the tree;” He looked magnificent”, in the Bino’s

at only 100mts with his antlers laid down his back. The stag dropped back down and started rubbing the tree again,

stopping putting his head up and sniffing the air. I knew my wind was right but thought it was a bit thick where he

was and he could disappear pretty quickly. I bought the gun up resting on the side of a tree, there was a tree

straight up the middle of him but I had a good hold high on his chest. The 300 RUM with 185gm Bergers hit him

hard. He reared up and rolled down the hill 20mts and was down. I could see him in the scope but still gave him a

minute or two. A hind was with him and took off back down towards the river. I got on the radio to Bom who heard

the shot. It was 6.20am when I took a couple of pictures of him then dressed him out. I headed back to camp where

breaky was ready, so had a feed and off we went to retrieve the stag. All the meat was taken and more snags will be

made. We didn’t stay that night as it was pretty warm and the fish weren’t biting, so we packed up and headed

home.

The job in Omeo only took 30minutes but it was a good excuse and there is a deer hanging in the cool room.

Cheers Chris.

Page 10 of 26

Hunting, nostalgia, food and

tradition go together.

Put your pictures here!

See our competition page 2

Page 11 of 26

For those of you that didn't know, Parks Vic. had another Aerial Cull in the High Country, an area which is open to

hunters. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=aerial+shooting+in+alpine

Parks has had little communication regarding anything to do with the culls beyond the very basic information in the

public domain, even though ADA keeps asking questions. We can only see what comes out of this, if Parks will share

the details. I know that these areas are regarded as great Back Packing country, and as frustrating as it is, ADA can

only keep asking questions.

Parks Victoria have committed to coming on to a live Q&A with ADA.

Page 12 of 26

Our ADA store now stocks these new items.

Fenix Torches $120 See Tech article 2 April Edition for a

review. Mesh Gloves $35 , Butcher’s Aprons $35 and our ever

present Merino socks $18, maps $8 to $24, Buffalo knife set

$45, deer targets $10, snake bite bandages $17.

Page 13 of 26

Browning BLR pistol grip takedown in 300 Win Mag or 7mm Rem Mag.

Barrel, bluing and timber condition not critical.

Willing to pay reasonable money for a reasonable rifle.

Cheers, Justin FL# 89866850B

Ph 0425 730 106

While out stalking, Josh found a

representative Sambar Stag Head

Above: Wayne Donald from North

Western Victoria showing how a dedicated

hunter goes about it. Wayne took and

transported a fallow doe using his custom

made deer carrier for carcass retrieval

Page 14 of 26

German Wirehair Pointer pups. Source #118489. 1 m 2 f available $2,000 James 0438 235065 Warragul area.

Imported bloodlines. Parents and previous litters working all game, fur and feather. Bitch and Sire good blood

trackers. Ready to go 16th October onwards. Vaccinated and Microchipped. Chip #s956000010927218,

956000010927926, 956000010918823

Our guest chef has been adding dishes to

his free-range venison menu.

Backstraps, rissoles and shepherd’s pie.

We might have to roster him on as camp

cook at the next Branch hunt!

Page 15 of 26

Upcoming fox control program in the Kenny and Colquhoun Forests. If you wish to read this very large notification,

please click on the button link below.

Page 16 of 26

Page 17 of 26

Page 18 of 26

Page 19 of 26

Obtaining Permission to Hunt – Useful tips for Hunters – By Bob Gough

There is a saying in rural areas that: “Farmers usually don’t have an issue with hunting, they have an issue with

hunters”. Over a lifetime of living in rural and semi-rural areas, working with farmers and land managers in

community and Landcare groups, forming and leading Property Based Wildlife Management (PBWM) programs and,

more recently, representing the ADA at community deer forums in North-East VIC, I can tell you that hunter

behaviour is the main consideration for landholders when approached for hunting access. This is despite the studies

that hunting generates over $430million dollars annually in Victoria, or that the majority of hunters spend in rural

areas.

The reality on the land is that landowners, who have wildlife impacts, are concerned that they do not also want a

hunter problem, so when approaching a landholder for permission to hunt on their property, or to drive through

their property to hunt in public land behind the boundary, it is very important to understand the serious nature of

your request. Basically, you are a total stranger asking for permission to use a firearm on land that you have never

been on, or to drive through a working farm, where you may disturb livestock at high risk periods, such as at lambing

or calving, or when there is a risk of bloat (and being interested enough to know about these things when you speak

to farmers will put you in good stead).

Many Landowners have had trouble with hunters or have heard of bad experiences between recreational hunters

and landowners. These situations may arise because of an incomplete understanding of farming practices, or by

previous poor hunter behaviour. Most poor situations can be prevented by clear communication.

It is very important to remember that the landowner is in full control, and their decision is final.

There are two main options open to a landowner in this situation, they may refuse permission to hunt, in which case

you should thank the landowner for their time and leave the property immediately, or you may enter into a “Hunting

Agreement”.

A “Hunting Agreement” is a verbal or written contract between a landowner and a hunter and negotiating an

agreement is similar to any other farm activity involving contractors, in that there must be clear communication,

clear goals and requirements, and clear consequences for failure to deliver, poor behaviour or damage to their

property

When approaching a landowner for access the first few minutes of discussion will make or break the arrangement. If

you fail the "attitude test" or you cannot assure the landowner that you are safe, respectful and ethical you will lose

the opportunity, and, via the “Bush Telegraph” you will also lose any opportunity you had with neighbouring

properties.

Questions you may be asked are:

• Are you a member of a hunting organisation that has public liability insurance for its members? (The

Australian Deer Association (ADA), Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAA) and Field and Game

Australia (FGA) all have $20m Public Liability Insurance. You may be asked to show your Association

membership card as proof of insurance.

• How often you will visit your property, and how you should contact the landholder for approval to visit?

(Some landholders prefer their hunters to call a few days before each visit, in case there are farm activities

occurring that may preclude hunting.)

• How much hunting experience you have, and if you have completed any hunter education courses?

• Can you meet any harvest requirements?

Page 20 of 26

The Rules of the Property

Each landholder has different requirements and all farms have their own rules. Questions and rules you should

respectfully ask and expect are:

• Is the agreement just between you and the landholder, or can you bring mates with you? (expect to be held

fully responsible for your visitors)?

• Discretion. Hunting properties are hard to find and harder to keep – Let the farmer know you will never ever

pass on a their details to others. In this way, if anyone turns up at the farm and tells the farmer you sent

them the farmer will know they are lying and send them packing, rather than holding you responsible for the

actions of a stranger.

• Some landholders require vehicles to only be driven on farm tracks, or on certain farm tracks, so ask about

no go areas.

• Avoid driving on pasture. Grass is money in the bank for farmers so don't damage it. The same goes for

water. Drive carefully to prevent damage to the tracks and your vehicle.

• Avoid livestock. Your presence can cause livestock to become nervous and run around, causing themselves

injury and potentially scaring away any game animals you are hunting. Never shoot near stock for the same

reason.

• Can you bring your dog? Should you have your dog on a leash near stock?

• Leave gates, troughs and farm infrastructure as you find them.

• How should you report any broken fences, trees down on tracks etc?

• Advise the landholder that you will not use any spark producing devices from December to March or other

fire risk periods.

• Ask about any campfire rules or campsites to be used.

• Never enter houses or sheds, even ruins.

Consequences

Given there are always "bad apples" you should expect consequences for any inappropriate behaviour or incident.

Give some thought to the following:

• What happens if you do not harvest the number of animals the landowner requires?

• What happens if something goes wrong?

o Vehicle bogged - Will the owner pull you out or will you have to call a tow truck or a mate?

o How will you repair any damage?

o Be prepared to pay a bond for access.

Hunting access to private land is hard won and easily lost, but if you think obtaining permission to hunt or to cross

land is tough, try being a farmer!

There has been no FUG meeting since our last ROAR, so there is nothing to report.

Regards, Joe Ellul

Page 21 of 26

ADA Advocacy delivers access for hunters to

360,000ha of licenced land now open for hunting

Changes to the administration of state forests in Victoria have

delivered around 360,000ha of access for deer hunters.

We have received written confirmation that, from 1 May 2020, the

permission of a grazing licensee will not be required for hunting with a

firearm within grazing licences in state forests in eastern Victoria.