Murray Local Land Services’ invasive species team will begin issuing baits to participating landholders from early next month in a co-ordinated program designed to maximise the reach of baiting through public participation.

The team also lays baits on travelling stock reserves in the region, while the Forestry Corporation and National Parks and Wildlife Service cover state forests and nature reserves.

Murray Local Land Services runs two major baiting programs, in autumn and spring, with the autumn round specifically targeting young foxes seeking new territory.

It is also timed to precede the lambing season to ensure a greater survival rate of lambs.

In past years, the invasive species team has issued more than 55,000 fox baits region-wide.

Foxes not only kill livestock, but also threaten the survival of many native species, including birds and small mammals.

Removing them from the landscape helps both farmers and the environment.

Baiting with 1080 poison is the most cost-effective way to control the fox population, and it complements other methods such as shooting and den destruction.

The baits include chicken wings, lamb tongues and manufactured meat baits.

Participating landholders need to undergo vertebrate pest induction training before they can receive baits.

This can be arranged through Murray Local Land Services.

Landholders are also encouraged to form fox baiting groups with their neighbours, so that the baiting they carry out is more coordinated and has greater reach.

For further information on the Murray Local Land Services autumn fox baiting program, or to arrange for vertebrate pest induction training, contact the invasive species team. 

Albury: Steve Wilson, 0427 362 618

Holbrook: Claire Hockley, 0419 839 049

Jerilderie: Roger Harris, 0427 010 892

Deniliquin: Sally Osborne, 0407 496 714

Moulamein: Chris Lucas, 0429 951 221