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 conversation explores the shared challenges facing both communities - public land access, social licence, sustainability, science-based management and the need for governments to properly recognise hunting and fishing as legitimate and valuable outdoor recreation activities.

They also discuss the opportunities that come with bringing these sectors closer together and why it is critical that Outdoor Recreation Victoria gets the balance right from day one.

A fascinating discussion about the future of hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation in Victoria.

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 over decades in the field – from the history of deer hunting in Australia and the Burke family’s role, to the evolution of public land access and advocacy.

The conversation tackles deer populations, their impacts, and the growing disconnect between on-ground reality and public narratives. It’s a frank discussion about evidence, misinformation, and the need for a more balanced and informed approach.

We also cover hunting in all its forms - red, fallow, hog deer, and sambar - before finishing with a look at where things are heading.

A must-listen for anyone serious about deer hunting in Victoria.

Check out Peter's YouTube channel at (13) Sambar Hunters Edge - YouTube

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 duck season.

Before that, the team runs through what’s happening around the traps, including the Ken Lay Rapid Review of Victoria’s firearm laws, issues with Wild Dog baiting, our ongoing case for a proper deer management strategy for Victoria, the need for a Hunters for the Hungry program for Victoria, and update on the Game Changing huts trial and a report on the awesome Mansfield Hunting & Fishing Expo.

The main discussion focuses on how duck season is actually set in Victoria, including the adaptive harvest management (AHM) system used to determine season length and bag limits based on environmental conditions and waterfowl populations. READ MORE ABOUT AHM

Simon also explains the work of the Waterfowl Wounding Reduction Action Plan (WWRAP) and the collaboration between hunters, scientists and government to reduce wounding rates through improved hunting practices. READ THE WATERFOWL WOUNDING REDUCTION ACTION PLAN

The episode finishes with a look at current and future game research projects in Victoria, including deer movement studies, hog deer genetics and the growing need for robust, evidence-based wildlife management. CHECK OUT SOME COOL DUCK RESEARCH

It’s a wide-ranging conversation that explores how science, hunting and policy come together in Victoria’s game management system.