COMMUNICATION technology has helped northern NSW landholders surmount the challenge of time and effort when it comes to building a co-ordinated attack on their wild dog problem.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
or signup to continue reading
New and free apps like FeralScan along with yesterday’s technology like email have replaced the home phone when it comes to co-ordinating the laying of baits.
Dave Worsley, wild dog facilitator with Invasive Species CRC, says simple and easy technology like FeralScan work in collaboration with Google Maps so that GPS positioning of 1080 laced baits can be uploaded without mobile phone access.
Along the Eastern Fall producers are already working together to ease the pressure of wild dog attack using email to communicate the best time and place.
This winter about 800 baits were laid across 20 properties in the Hernani – Ebor plateau area during two drops, one in June and another six weeks later.
Bill Maxwell, Hernani, moved to the Ebor-Dorrigo Plateau 13 years ago and struggled with lost calves and lambs.
Eight years ago he and another 20 neighbouring landholders began laying baits in unison, along known dog laneways, identified by observing where their working dogs became excited.
With baits provided by Local Land Services (LLS) to its ratepayers – in many cases for free – the only impediment to the program was time spent co-ordinating with neighbours and laying out 1080 laced meat.
“The follow-up with the LLS is also very important to see on the map where baits have been laid,” Mr Maxwell said.
Through the years the Hernani group has concentrated on a June baiting, which can impact on pregnant bitches, followed up six weeks later with another co-ordinated effort.
“If we stopped baiting I would hate to think what might happen,” Mr Maxwell said.
“Over the years its seems to me the numbers of wild dogs has not decreased, but the other way around.”
With just 10 per cent of North Coast landholders laying baits for wild dogs there is room for improvement when it comes to wild dog control, says LLS team leader Dean Chamberlain, Grafton.
There is also a need for patience, as the baiting program can take time to work, with foxes tending to take the first baits. In warmer months goannas will steal the rotting bullock heart, but are immune to the effects of 1080.
