SSAA NSW

14 Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. Narooma is a picturesque town on the NSW south coast that plays host to SSAA NSW HuntFest. With perfect sunny weather, the organisers South Coast Hunters Club put on yet another fantastic event that was bigger and better than it's ever been. Visitors had the opportunity to witness fi rst hand deer butchering and caping, sausage making and cooking demonstrations. Beautifully cooked venison sausages and burgers, fabulous goat burgers and the extremely popular goat tacos were available for lunch, showcasing just how well game meat can be utilised. The Archery range run by the Eurobodalla Archery Club was a hit among adults and kids alike and the knife sharpening and forging demonstrations drew large crowds too. It was a wonderful atmosphere with over 450 individuals trying their hand at the SSAA NSW Mobile Air Rifl e Range over the two days. There were many repeat visitors that we have had the pleasure of meeting with competition on the range between friends, fathers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, heating up with some very red faced and embarrassed men walking away defeated before returning for redemption only to be defeated again. Easily our most competitive visitors were father and son duo, Clint and Riley O'Connell, who have vowed to return next year. This year, juniors (aged 12 to 17) who were accompanied by their parent or guardian had extra motivation with the ability to go into an hourly draw to win a SSAA NSW prize pack for every target they shot and brought to the SSAA NSW booth. SSAA NSW were joined by the SSAA NSW Batemans Bay Branch and representatives from the NSW DPI Game Licensing Unit. Members and non-members alike were able to have a chat, receive invaluable expertise and advice around local activities, hunting, membership, other state-wide matters and receive goody bags to take with them to help spread the word about our sport and the good work that hunters do for conservation. Our HunterLEAP trainers were run off their feet keeping up with the demand for R-licence accreditations. The continual fl ow of individuals expressing a keen interest in state forest hunting is encouraging, especially among juniors who made up over 15% of accreditations. As with most of our events, it is impossible to run so smoothly and effectively without the help of our dedicated volunteers. Our volunteers assisted in delivering R-Licences and actively as Range Offi cers on the Mobile Air Rifl e Range. Thank you! Our congratulations to the South Coast Hunters Club for their continued success in HuntFest. The event grows from strength to strength each year and we can't wait to see what next year brings. If you're looking for something to do next June long weekend, seriously consider taking the family to Narooma, it's a wonderful region and HuntFest will make it a trip to remember. SSAA NSW HuntFest Congratulations South Coast Hunters Club

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