Howard Springs Hunting Reserve facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Howard Springs Hunting Reserve Howard Springs, Northern Territory
IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
Howard Springs Hunting Reserve Location in Northern Territory
Nearest town or city	Palmerston City
Established	11 July 1984 (1984-07-11)
Area	16.05 km2 (6.2 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory
Website	Howard Springs Hunting Reserve
See also	Protected areas of the Northern Territory

Howard Springs Hunting Reserve is a special protected area located in the Northern Territory of Australia. It's near the town of Howard Springs. This reserve is a place where nature is cared for, but it also allows for controlled hunting of certain birds during specific times of the year. It helps manage wildlife populations while giving people a chance to hunt responsibly.

Howard Springs Hunting Reserve

Howard Springs Hunting Reserve is a unique part of Australia's natural landscape. It covers about 16 square kilometers of land. This area is looked after under a special law called the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. This law helps protect the plants and animals that live there.

Where is it Located?

The reserve is part of a bigger natural area. To its south, you'll find the Howard Springs Nature Park. This park is a popular spot for families to visit and see wildlife. To the north and east, the land stretches towards Shoal Bay. This area is known as the Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve.

All these protected areas, including the hunting reserve, are on land called the Howard Sand Plains. The Northern Territory Government thinks this area is very important for nature. They call it a Site of Conservation Significance. This means it has special plants, animals, or natural features that need extra protection.

A Bit of History

The Howard Springs Hunting Reserve was officially created in 1984. For many years, from 1992 to 2016, it was managed together with the nearby Howard Springs Nature Park. This helped make sure both areas were looked after properly.

Hunting Rules and Safety

Hunting at the reserve is only allowed for people who have a special permit. Usually, hunting takes place in the last few months of the year, from October to December. However, these dates can change each year.

What Can Be Hunted?

Only certain types of birds can be hunted here. These include:

• Grey teal
• Hardhead duck
• Magpie goose
• Maned duck
• Pacific black duck
• Plumed whistling duck
• Pink-eared duck
• Wandering whistling duck

Allowed Weapons

Hunters can only use certain types of weapons. These are lever-action shotguns and bows. It's very important to follow these rules for safety and to protect the environment.

Why Lead Shot is Banned

In the Northern Territory, it is against the law to use lead shot in shotgun cartridges. This rule is in place to protect wildlife. Studies have shown that birds, like magpie geese, can get sick if they accidentally eat lead shot. Lead is harmful to animals, so using lead-free ammunition helps keep them safe and healthy.

Protecting Nature

The Howard Springs Hunting Reserve is classified as an IUCN Category VI protected area. This means it's a protected area where people can use natural resources in a sustainable way. It's all about balancing human activities, like hunting, with the need to protect nature for the future.