South Australia's Hunting and Conservation Branch was formed in 1992. About that time the environment minister of the government of the day visited the Gammon Ranges National Park and was horrified to discover the extent of damage to the fragile landscape by feral animals. SSAA's Hunting and Conservation Branch worked closely with the National Parks Service and the first cull in a National Park in S.A. was conducted in 1992. There were goats by the thousands in the Gammon Ranges and the damage they inflicted is obvious.

There are also areas of great beauty in the Gammon Ranges which must be preserved such as Peach Springs. These areas were under constant attack from the untrammelled depredations of feral goats, donkeys, rabbits, etc. More than 15 years of unceasing work has resulted in the greatest recovery of flora in the mountain desert areas of the park for many years.

The land has returned to its former beauty in many cases and the efforts of members of H & C and the NPWS have been rewarded. The SSAA continues to conduct feral animal culls in the park working with the NP&WS to co-ordinate their efforts. The park is closed to the general public for safety reasons when hunters are in the area.

But the Gammon Ranges are not the only place where control efforts take place. Hunting & Conservation covers the whole state working with government and private land holders helping to preserving our state's heritage.

Hunting & Conservation also work with the National  Parks Service in other areas such as the Gawler Ranges National Park on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula.

The Hunting and Conservation Branch is a graphic example of public-private co-operation in an area of great sensitivity and shows how hunters work for the good of the environment in a practical and effective way. Practical conservation at work.