THE unlawful shootings of two kangaroos in Bathurst and Cowra have been condemned by the Game Council NSW and the Orange and Districts Bowhunters club.
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Earlier this month a kangaroo in Bathurst had to be put down after it had an arrow lodged in its head for two days.
That incident was followed last week when a female kangaroo at Wyangala Dam near Cowra, which was carrying a joey, was shot with two target point arrows, through its ears and right leg.
The kangaroo died mid-week despite the best efforts of Cowra rangers and WIRES. They managed to save the joey.
The two attacks have outraged a government industry and members involved in legal hunting such as bowhunting clubs.
Former captain at Orange and Districts Bowhunters club Gary Collins was livid about the attacks.
“It’s a couple of clowns giving us and archers a bad name,” Mr Collins said.
“We don’t endorse people running around and doing this illegal act.”
It is illegal to hunt and kill native animals such as kangaroos.
But like many who have expressed their anger over these senseless attacks Mr Collins said the person or persons who did this had no experience in shooting legally.
“Nobody connected with the Australian Bowhunting Association would ever do this,” he said.
“They have done more damage to the sport of archery and bowhunting.”
People wishing to hunt must have a game hunting licence and can only shoot feral animals like rabbits, hares, foxes and wild pigs at designated areas.
Game Council NSW communications manager Greg McFarland also believes anyone with a hunting licence would not have done it.
He said the Game Council was appalled at the attacks and have asked anyone who knows about it to tell the authorities.
“They should be dobbed in,” Mr McFarland said.
“We work very closely with police, and the national parks and wildlife.
“It’s difficult to track these sort of attacks because they [the culprit] are probably not in the system [have a hunting licence].”
Anyone found guilty of hunting illegally could face a fine of up to $5500 and face a 10-year ban.