Fire Arms?

First up I am not a gun owner but I support your right to carry one if you desire to and can justify a need.

To answer your question Wayne & Gaby, I would say you do not need to carry a gun.
Almost all risk from animal attack can be removed by a sensible approach to camping.

Chose your site well, not too close to waterways and keep it tidy to avoid attracting any animals, feral or otherwise.

I make a point of tidying up after each meal to make sure there are no food scraps lying around. Each night or before leaving camp I put the garbage bag in the car and close all doors and windows to keep the smell in.

I once lay in bed and watched a possum very intelligently open my esky. I had put a heavy box of gear on top of the esky to stop this but the possum pushed it off and simply lifted the lid. This guy had done it before. I chased him away before he got anything and then put the esky inside the camper.

Finally, I think having a gun may cause more problems than it solves. Without too much thought I know you are not allowed to carry one into National Parks. I know, you could hide it in your luggage somewhere and the ranger would never find it but that does not make it right.

Duncs

Gday,

If your not an experienced gun owner I think it would be a recipe for disaster????
Ive go nothing against guns, infact I usually take one or three with me but pulling one out for protection if your not good with them might cause more harm than good.
Stay away from the waters edge, dont pick up baby pigs and dont feed the dingos is probably safer..

Cheers
Hairy

Gooday Wayne & Gabby,
(1) carrying firearms in vehicles is a difficult thing to do and still comply with the law when you leave the vehicle
(2) different states have different firearms laws and you will have to be licensed and the firearm registered in each state. Thats not so difficult if you are are to be a permanent resident, but more difficult when travelling. You will have to consult each authority PRIOR to entering that state otherwise you are breaking the law.

My advice is you do not need one when travelling; its more hassle than its worth and a little planning and care you can avoid the need for one.
regards

Hi Wayne

I don't think you need a firearm for that use, nor is it effective, there are better ways.

A croc is likely to surprize you, and unless you sit there with a loaded gun
all night you aren't going to win.

An avoidance stratergy is best - followed by a noise maker (small handheld gas powered horn) and last kept an axe handy.

On the more general firearm suitability question a 30/30 is a great tool with its short range and heavy slug.
I use a lever action version known as a horse gun which is very flexible in short range bush.

If your actually out hunting you need longer reach firearm like a 308.

Wayne & Gaby - lots of comments in threads 68468 and 66859 which may assist you.

When we started to travel back in the late 1970's we carried a rifle but have not carried one since about 1986 - and have never used one whilst travelling for any reason.



A J

Thanks to all for your quick response's, I have now decided not to take a firearm but to carry the suggested loud handheld gas horn, this would be saffice for scarring feral animals and alike, what a great idea, thanks Robin Miller.

Wayne,

There is alot of hype and emotion in previous posts and follow up.

No you do not need a gun.

The second is you cannot carry one as a grey nomad travelling from state to state. The is a good deal of "yes you can" followed by "If". In the context of grey nomad on holiday, the administration going from state to state will kill you in itself.

Yes you can if you do the mound of paperwork and have a licence in each state etc etc. Then find out all the different flavours of the law from state to state. In some states there are severe penalties for illegally carring firearms (read mandatory prision sentance). Then don't go into any National Parks or most Aboriginal land. So should you? Nope, not required. Most legal storage would prevent the use in the case of pigs dogs crocs etc. Basically just have the brain engaged around water and when picking camping spots. Don't feed or play with the fauna, they may look cute but they are wild animals. I've yet to have any trouble with the native community either. Truth be told you are more likely to have trouble from some drunk tourist. Not that I think shooting either is a good way to solve these types of disputes.

If you are not a seasoned hunter I would not even think about it anyway. There are just to many traps for the newbie. If you must a .308 would probably be a fair choice for all occasions.

Basically, to do it legally it is not worth the hassle, if you do it illegally and get caught be ready for some pretty stiff penalties. Who needs the stress. For all the years I've been travelling the outback to some very remote areas I have never once thought 'I wish I had a gun'.

Steve

a 300 will be more than adequate, bring down pretty much anything except a buff (unless you are a really good shot) just make sure you notify the police on entering each state or territory with in two weeks.

Here is a FAQ in regards to gun laws, i am currently applying for A & B ( vermin control ) and i have to jump through hoops whilst juggling in a pretty pink dress for big Brother. And i am on acreage, with letters from friends with 500 ac blocks also saying i will be vermin shooting for them , and this is hard enough! so i dont think you would have much chance of obtaining a licence, UNLESS your working for national parks / contracting for them which would allow you to keep a long arm in your vehicle for the purpose of vermin and humanity reasons

I did hear a rumor ( law enforcement friend ) that you may soon need to have a permit to transport weapons between properties / or notify of there movement BEFORE there moved.

Now for my RANT - As a person who wants to do the right thing by the law , I have a very hard time obtaining a licence to own and use a firearm , this includes safety courses, complete police back ground checks ( even a simple avo from an irate x that had no grounds filing one will prevent your licence being issued for up to 10 years ) then if successful , have to comply with safe keeping of the gun and amo.

Now , if i was a thug , with $500 - $1000 in cash , with the right contacts i get get an unregistered gun within a few hours for what ever purpose


So what do the gun laws do ? make it extremely hard for the Honest guy to get a gun licence, and make it an extremely easy decision for Joe scumbag to obtain a gun illegally..

end of rant


http://www.nswfarmers.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/12179/Firearms_FAQ_0507.pdf

I am curious isn't there a time frame you are able to be away from your firearms home state. Doing feral control without the properties permisson could get you in to strife as well. Glad to hear your not taking one. I work in a remote area and it's kinda scarey to think there is people running around with guns shooting whatever. It's like story of Clayton station 2 guys drove down the Birdsville track and decided to shoot the camels and horses on the side of road the only thing is they were family pets and racing camels, nice job.

Take your gun get a safe put in the caravan ($250) and buy a 30/30 open sight rifle. I did it and i bet Joanna lees wishes she did to Cheers Balko

Hi Wayne and Gaby

As made clear by many in the previous threads, you do not need one for self defence. You will most likely get a long holiday in a fixed location if you use it. More likely if you are threatened by a genuine criminal, there is a high chance he will have it from you before you can think.

Shooting is illegal in national parks, towns, private property (unless with the permission of the owner), so there isn't many places you can discharge a firearm. Shooting native wildlife (unless with a permit) is also illegal.

As aforesaid, the logistics of legally transporting from state to state are horrendous.

There are better ways to avoid the danger of a dangerous wild boar. Even feral animals mostly want to get out of our way.

Remote outback locations are far safer than in any suburban street.

Motherhen

Wayne & Gabby

I love my rifles, and have a good variety of hi powered ones.

I take a rifle, most times, I head out, weather I go bush, or the outback.
I never make it obvious that I have a rifle on board either, that is only asking for trouble. And I never give it a thought of using them for self defence, but some property owner may ask me if I want to go for a shot, then I am ready and able.

Not seen too many feral animals in our camps, as we just try and keep away from spots where ferals frequent, and that includes the human variety.

CHeers
Bucky

Funny how all the scumbags dont need these permits to own or move guns!

Kinda strange really!

Just harass the honest people because its easier.