About Us
APDHA President Ned Makim addresses the National Feral Pig Conference in Cairns in June 2023.
A little about the Australian Pig Doggers and Hunters Association
Responsible, law-abiding hunters using disciplined well-trained dogs represent one of a number of useful tools in the ongoing effort to control feral pig populations across Australia.
Correctly done, it is extremely effective, particularly in thick country by not only capturing pigs for humane despatch, but also adding to the body of research and general knowledge of pig biology and behaviour.
The APDHA recognises the animal welfare concerns in relation to hunting that exist within the general population and has made animal welfare central to our general and specific education of members. Indeed, the use of well-trained dogs to locate and either bail or hold pigs can be more humane than some other methods of control in use under certain circumstances. Animal welfare is a function of operator focus rather than method.
In addition, well-trained pig dogs are species specific, positively trained to ignore animals other than pigs.
The APDHA also seeks to promote the cultural and recreational legitimacy of managed pig hunting (with dogs in particular) as well as the demonstrable economic, environmental and health benefits of this and other outdoor activities.
It was for these reasons, hunters from around Australia came together to establish a national body representing people who hunt with dogs.
The Australian Pig Doggers and Hunters Association (APDHA) was incorporated in mid 2005 with its major focus being to improve the image of hunters using dogs for feral pig control and recreational hunting purposes by promoting humane and ethical hunting practices.
This is occurring through member compliance with our Code of Conduct, education of members and the general public as well as active support for initiatives against those hunters without respect for the law or landholders.
The APDHA also lobbies all levels of Government on legislation concerning hunting and dog ownership as well as being a united voice for responsible hunters through its committee.
We have worked to build good relationships with the Department of Primary Industries in QLD and NSW and with the NT Parks and Wildlife Department. We have also forwarded submissions to various government departments, animal welfare advisory committees and research bodies promoting the removal and control of feral pigs with dogs.
The APDHA accepts members Australia wide and Provides $20 million in public liability insurance, virtual membership cards that can be checked against drivers licences, regular newsletter, promotions and various discounts to its members. Membership fees will be on a sliding scale with an annual fee of $100 for full membership and discounts for families, juniors and those on pensions.
Our aim is to have committee members in every State and Territory representing hunters in those areas and decentralising our activities to guide our decision-making and representation to be more regionally relevant.
Our members write about why they hunt
Why is this painting on our home page?
This painting is called The Boar Hunt. It is by Flemish artist Frans Snyders (1579-1657) and is understood to have been painted about 1625-30.
It resides in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston USA and carries these background notes:
"During the seventeenth century, dramatic hunt scenes often decorated royal hunting lodges. While Snyders' contemporaries normally put man at the center of such images, Snyders concentrated on realistic observation of the animals. His highly sought-after paintings were often based on portraits of individual hunting dogs. Here, the dog on the far right may be wearing a protective cloak because he was particularly prized by his owner.
Inscriptions Lower right, on dog's collar: F. Snyders fecit"
We have used it to underscore our position that hunting wild boar, particularly with dogs, is a cultural activity with ancient origins and remains part of a continuum to this day. We are also moved by the focus on the dogs rather than the humans as this mirrors our stance. We believe that in hunting with dogs, it is the dogs that should be the central focus rather than the handlers. We also believe this should be the stance of every legal, ethical pig hunter in Australia.
Not everyone will see the art in it that we do, but hunting with dogs is an art nonetheless and deserves its place in the modern world, as a legitimate cultural activity, an adjunct to formal pest animal management and a significant economic driver. But most of all for the dogs, for their biological fulfillment and for recognition of their millennia-old partnership with hunters facing dangerous game. Our dogs today carry the DNA of unbroken lines stretching back thousands of years and they were born to hunt.
