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You’d Get Better Results with a $400 Hammer

Officials in New South Wales, Australia, developed a “pest control” trial plan to deal with “trap-shy or bait-shy animals” that are resistant to other pest management techniques. The plan involved volunteer hunters under the supervision of National Parks and Wildlife Service personnel. It cost approximately A$1.4 million (US$1.24 million), and netted 198 animals — almost 70 percent of them rabbits — for an average cost of A$7,152 (US$6,259) per animal. MP Mehreen Faruqi describes the program as “babysitting amateur shooters at extraordinary cost to the taxpayer,” and complained that “This government needs to stop pouring money into ineffective and wasteful programs and direct it into scientifically proven programs carried out by professionals.” But an opposition MP actually stood up to argue with that idea. “I don’t mean to be disrespectful to the National Parks and Wildlife rangers,” said MP Robert Brown, “But experienced hunters don’t need toilet cleaners showing them how to hunt.” (MS/Sydney Morning Herald) ...Imagine what he’d have to say if he did mean to be disrespectful.