Thermal shooting is the primary control method used by Peachester Rural Services, and it’s effective across the vast majority of SE Queensland property types. But there are situations where it is not the most appropriate primary method — or where it should be combined with other approaches for best results.
Very Dense Vegetation
Thermal imaging requires line-of-sight to the target animal. In very dense lantana infestations, head-high blackberry, or plantation timber with dense understorey, encounter rates drop significantly because animals can move through the area without being detected or engaged. In these situations, shooting may need to be complemented by strategic baiting or trapping in the dense areas, with shooting covering the open country where animals emerge to feed.
Livestock Proximity
Night operations are conducted with extreme care around livestock, but in some situations — very small paddocks, mixed livestock and pig country with limited separation, or hand-reared animals not fearful of vehicles — the safe operation of a firearm becomes more complex. We discuss livestock locations before every operation and plan to avoid high-risk areas. On some properties, temporary mustering before the operation to concentrate livestock in a specific area is the practical solution.
Rabbits Without Warren Management
For rabbit populations, shooting alone rarely delivers lasting results. Rabbits burrow — the physical warren structure is where the population lives and breeds. Night thermal shooting can significantly reduce surface numbers and provide useful respite for pasture or revegetation, but without warren destruction (fumigation, ripping or harbour removal), the surviving warren population will recover. Shooting is best used as a complement to warren control, not as a standalone method.
Wild Dogs in Heavy Timber
Wild dogs typically shelter in heavy timber or rocky terrain during the day and hunt open country at night. Thermal shooting on open grazing country can intercept hunting dogs and is effective, but in country where dogs are predominantly in dense scrub and rarely emerge to open ground, baiting programs or trapping may be more cost-effective for the terrain conditions.
When We Recommend a Combined Approach
We will tell you honestly if we think your situation warrants a combined approach. If your rabbit problem is primarily warren-based, we’ll recommend warren control as the primary method. If your pig problem is in country where shooting encounters will be very limited, we’ll discuss complementary options. Our goal is effective control, not just a night in the field.