Field & Game Australia (FGA) is an Australian non-government organization formed in 1958 for conservation, hunting, and clay target shooting.
[1] FGA promotes sustainable utilization and hunting practices aimed at conserving Australia’s native flora and fauna.
[citation needed] Members of the association lobbied for the introduction of a shooter's license system that would make funds available for the protection of wetland habitats.
Under Sir Henry Bolte's direction, the shooter's license was established in 1959 and provided Victoria's first-ever funds for game and wildlife management.
FGA volunteers participate in a variety of activities, including wetland rehabilitation and management, shooter education, waterfowl identification courses ("WIT tests"), firearm safety and training, pest and vermin eradication, and organized duck hunts and fox drives.
Its current patrons include former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, former Speaker of the House of Representatives David Hawker and zoologist Prof. Grahame Webb.
[citation needed] The actions were uncovered by the anti-hunting group Coalition Against Duck Shooting, who monitored Heart Morass after learning that 100 FGA members had paid to hunt on the opening weekend.
FGA engaged consultants to challenge the economic assumptions and VEAC's proposals were subsequently rejected by the Victorian Government.
[citation needed] From 1963 to 1965, the VFGA opposed a proposal by the Victorian Government to drain the Hird and Johnson Wetlands near Kerang.
[citation needed] In 1978, the VFGA won the Victorian Conservation Prize for "the defense of Victoria's wetlands, the preservation of wildlife habitat and development of public awareness".
[citation needed] Research by the VFGA in Victoria during 1992-1993 showed that lead levels in Pacific black duck at Lake Buloke had reached internationally recognized levels dangerous to waterfowl (waterfowl mistakenly ingest lead pellets along with gravels as gastroliths needed to aid their digestion of food).