Bushlore

Prepared by the Public Land Council of Victoria

Most recreational and commercial activities have detailed Codes of Practice. These explain in detail the "do's" and "don'ts" of each activity. The material in this brochure covers information that each group would like the other bush users to be aware of and understand. It is the "unwritten law" of the bush - the bush lore.

Some of these items will be second nature to you but may be unknown to other, especially new, users of the bush.

Mountain cattlemen have a "prior right" to the use of their huts when involved in grazing operations. This means that they might come along at any time of the day or night and at any time of the year (except winter) and expect to be able to use their huts. Although by law they can require you to leave, they generally are more than willing to share the shelter. Please keep this in mind if you camp in a cattleman's hut.

Mountain cattlemen are allowed by law to bring their working dogs in the Alpine National Park. They are also permitted to use tracks which are designated "Management Vehicles Only" (MVO).

If you are using a cattleman's hut, please replace the firewood. Please also do not remove any tools from the hut, or damage the log book. Log books are often valuable if it is necessary to search from somebody lost in the vicinity.

Cattle are taken up to the high country in December and are brought down in April. Enjoy the spectacle but be careful on alpine roads and tracks around these times. Cattle do not have a very good road sense.

Amazingly, some people try to muster cattle on the high plains. This is a really dangerous thing to do and can result in cattle being driven off their designated area. This causes confusion and a lot of hard work all round.

Other dopey things that people try to do include trying to catch young calves to ride them and some calling out "salt", as cattlemen do to call up their own cattle.

When crossing streams FWDers should minimise the extent of the disturbance to the water to avoid upsetting any fishermen downstream.

Logging equipment is valuable not just to the logging industry. Logging equipment such as bulldozers is often part of the first strike capability in fire fighting. It is too valuable for all concerned for it to be damaged. If you see anything suspicious in the vicinity of logging equipment, note registration numbers and report this to the police at the first opportunity.

You will sometimes see convoys of FWDs in the bush. Usually these are club trips and, despite the number, they will be taking every precaution not to damage the environment. Some clubs limit the number of vehicles in convoys to ensure that they do not damage tracks.

The FWD clubs have system of "Trackwatch" which monitors the condition of tracks. If you see something that should be reported - damaged tracks, fallen trees etc. - report this to DNRE but also report it to the Victoria Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs on 9857 5209

Don't drive where you are likely to leave great deep ruts in soggy ground. If the ground dries out with these ruts intact it makes later passage very difficult. Also it is like leaving a calling card that says vehicle users are irresponsible and should be banned from sensitive areas.

A major disease problem in forests today is cinnamon fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi) which causes dieback in many species of trees. You should wash your vehicles before moving from an infected area into a clean area. You will know an infected area by the appearance of dead or dying trees. In particular, clods of mud should be removed from the wheel arches. A very effective way of washing vehicles in the bush is to use an old fire extinguisher that can be pumped up to provide pressure to fire a water jet. Actually, miners are required by law to clean their vehicles before the leave an area.

Two of the simplest items of Bushlore are often the most readily forgotten are, .... er .... um What are they? (See below)

Recreational deer hunting is one of the most popular activities in Victoria's eastern highlands over the winter months. Deer hunting is also permitted in some National Parks, including the Alpine National Park, from mid February to mid December.

Sambar deer have been present in Victoria's highlands for around 150 years. A mature stag may weigh up to 300 kg and stand 120 cm tall at the shoulder. His antlers may grow to over 75 cm in length.

Hunting sambar by stalking (walking quietly through the bush) is by far the most popular form of hunting although some hunters choose to use scent trailing hounds to track deer through the bush. The use of hounds in not permitted in National or State Parks.

Deer hunting is a low-profile activity in that hunters are usually alone and deep in the bush. Occasionally you might see a hound team having a break by the side of the road, but it is illegal to use a firearm on public roads. This includes 4WD tracks. It is also illegal for hunters to prevent access to other bush users. The use of spotlights to hunt deer is also illegal and is considered highly unethical.

Occasionally, scent trailing hounds get lost while hunting. These hounds (beagles and foxhounds etc) cannot survive in the bush and will invariably find their way to a camp or town. The hounds are not dangerous, but almost always hungry! On one occasion, a DNRE employee found that two lost hounds had jumped into the back of his ute. They had looks on their faces that said, "Good'ay Boss, wouldn't have a feed would you?" By law, hounds must wear a collar carrying details of, and contact numbers for, the owner. If you find a lost hound, the owner would really appreciate a call from you. Some country centres such as Dargo, Licola and Rawson also have kennel facilities where you can leave lost hounds for collection by the owner.

As sambar are hard to hunt, shots are rarely fired. The average deerhunter fires only 2-3 shots per year and hunters who takes one deer a year are generally well satisfied with their efforts.

You will occasionally come across mining exploration in the bush. Exploration is not mining. It is subject to conditions which ensure good environmental management.

Trail bikes can be used in parks and forests but only on roads open to the public. The rider must be fully licensed and the vehicle fully road registered and roadworthy. No vehicle may be used off formed roads. Normal road rules apply in parks and forests. (Trail Bike Riding Code, DNRE)

If you see nuisance or illegal behaviour, report this to police at the earliest opportunity. The PLCV is seeking to have the existing Bushalert program enhanced into a "neighbourhood watch" type of operation which will make reporting a much easier matter.

Illegal or troublesome behaviour by any person should be reported to the authorities as soon as possible. Record date, time, location and details of vehicles (including make, colour and registration number) and give these details to the police, national parks ranger or a fisheries and wildlife officer.

More information? Most organisations involved in the use of public land for recreational or commercial purposes have a wealth of information. Some contact numbers are listed below.

The answers. Ask permission and shut the gate.

All members of the Public Land Council of Victoria support the concept of multiple land use. Each member supports the rights of other people and organisations to use public land in an environmentally sustainable and responsible manner. This means that other people you see in the bush, who you think might be competing with you for space on public land, are actually fighting to maintain your access as well as their own.

For comment or further information E-mail: barker@vicnet.net.au

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