The SSAA Victoria Podcast

Can recreational hunting reduce deer numbers? What does the evidence actually say about hunting in Victoria's National Parks? And what do Australians really think about deer hunting? In this episode of the SSAA Victoria Podcast, the team is joined by Emma Bellot and Dr Stephen Headey (RMIT University), Emma’s Honours research examines one of the most debated wildlife management issues in Australia...

Victoria’s hunters and fishers are officially “shacking up” under the new Outdoor Recreation Victoria from July 1 - but what does that actually mean? In this episode, the boys from SSAA Victoria sit down with Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling to talk about the merger of the VFA and GMA, the future of Outdoor Recreation Victoria and why hunters and fishers are natural allies. The con...

Peter Burke joins the SSAA Victoria Podcast for a deep and wide-ranging discussion on deer, hunting, and the politics shaping our future. We kick off with the latest news across the sector, including season openings, the firearm law review, Outdoor Recreation Victoria, Game Changing Huts, and recent government changes, before paying tribute to Mike Harrison. Peter then shares his perspective built...

In Episode 11 of the SSAA Victoria Podcast, Barry Howlett is joined by co-hosts David Laird and Daryl Snowdon, along with special guest Simon Toop, Director of Strategy and Research at the Game Management Authority. Simon has spent years working at the intersection of wildlife science, hunting policy and game management, and in this episode, we take a deep dive into the science behind Victoria’s d...

Join the SSAA Victoria team as we examine the policy responses following the Bondi attack and explore how Victoria's evidence-based review process can deliver effective firearms regulation. We discuss the rushed NSW legislative changes, the federal government's responses, and why Victoria's methodical approach under Ken Lay may offer a better path to public safety outcomes that respect both commun...

Join SSAA Victoria for a deep dive into the biggest moments of 2025 — the wins, the setbacks, the politics, and the hard work behind the scenes — as we look ahead to a massive year in 2026. In this episode, we run through a huge year for Victorian hunting and shooting, covering everything from public land wins to animal rights activism and the escalating push toward evidence-based policy.

Steve Hill from Hunters4Hope joins the team to share an inspiring story of community, conservation, and giving back. In just a few short years, Hunters4Hope, based in regional New Zealand, has grown into a powerhouse of grassroots impact, set to donate over 12,500 kg of wild-shot venison this year alone. That’s more than 100,000 meals going to food charities and families in need. Driven entirely b...

Neal Finch is an Environmental Scientist and a lifelong hunter with a long and rich association with the SSAA. Neal has hands-on experience in hunter-centred wildlife research and worked for the Queensland Government for many years on its commercial kangaroo management program. He is currently the Executive Officer of the Australian Wild Game Industry Council. In 2024, Neal travelled to Europe on...

After a career that included a long and successful stint in politics, Tom Kenyon took the helm at SSAA National in 2024. We sat down with Tom while he was in Melbourne to discuss changes at SSAA, Australian Shooter magazine, plans to grow the organisation and the political situation facing shooting across Australia.

The SSAA Victoria team take a deep dive into the management of public land in Victoria - particularly as it relates to shooting and hunting access. More information on the "More to Explore" mapping application at: https://www.exploreoutdoors.vic.gov.au/where-to-start/more-to-explore   More information on hunting on public land at: https://www.gma.vic.gov.au/hunting/deer/where-to-hunt More informat...

The once-in-a-decade overhaul of Victoria's Wildlife (Game) Regulations has implications for the 60,000 Victorians who hunt deer, duck and quail.  Proposals put forward for consideration by the government include transitions away from lead-based ammunition for all game hunting, allowing handheld thermal devices for deer hunting, locking in Wednesday openings and 8 am starts for the first week of d...

Jim Harding from Winchester Australia joins us to discuss the growing excitement about SHOT Expo 2024 . This will be the first major shooting expo in Australia in five years and the largest expo of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.  Melbourne Showgrounds 19-20 October 2024.

Duck and quail seasons for 2023 are done and dusted, submissions are in for the Select Committee Inquiry, and public hearings have commenced. This episode looks at: Duck opening SSAA Victoria’s Submission The public hearings so far Episode features SSAA Victoria Hunting Development Manager David Laird, CPM & Training Development Co-Ordinator Daryl Snowdon, RTO Manager Fady Khalife and Communicatio...

A deep dive (no duck pun intended) into the politics that are driving decisions about duck and quail hunting in Victoria in 2022, including: The Select Committee Inquiry into native bird hunting Wounding as an issue The duck season decision Duck season 2023 The quail season decision Other challenges on the horizon Episode features SSAA Victoria Hunting Development Manager David Laird, CPM & Traini...