In response to last month's report on how banteng hunting on the Cobourg Peninsula in
Australia is closed (see pages 8 and 9 of the December issue), we heard from Karl Goodhand of Goodhand Outback Experience (011-61-409-024-989) who further clarified what's happening there with pending hunting concessions. Goodhand writes:
"I am currently the only legal operator for free-range banteng outside the Garig Gunak National Park. My concession abuts the park's eastern boundary and is the only side connected via land and the only land with banteng. The area is within Arnhem Land, an area of aboriginal-owned land (much like your North American Indian reservations) that is governed by the Northern Land Council. This area is subject to The Rights Act 1976 and within this act there is a provision in the act which allows business activities on the land with the consent from tribal elders and the NLC. It is a long, hard and expensive process. I have an exclusive contract and should have the 10-year contract finalized before the end of the year. This is the only area with a huntable population of free-range banteng outside the park.....
