Firearm Safety & Hunter Education, Conservation & Invasive Species Control, Business Management & Agriculture

The Australian Skills Quality Authority Standards specify that trainers and assessors are skilled VET practitioners with current industry skills and knowledge. This ensures students receive the training they need and graduates are properly assessed before being issued with a qualification or statement of attainment.

Accordingly, we possess;

1. vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed

2. current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided

3. current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment.

   Drawing on related technical and tertiary training qualifications and experience further developed through extensive guiding, hunting, invasive species control, sport shooting & specialised military training, we offer excellent, experience-based theoretical and practical tuition that lays a firm foundation for safe firearm use ensuring that course participants gain tangible skills from which to progress.

Habitat Wise Group offer excellent, experience-based theoretical and practical training programs designed to meet the specific needs of our course participants. Courses can include aspects of remote area first aid, navigation, communication, animal physiology, tracking, firearm handling, shot placement, field dressing, butchering, survival methods and invasive species control techniques.

With experience on a variety of African, Australasian and European game and guided kills on numerous Buffalo, Scrub Bulls, Wild Pig, Deer (var sp) and Goat (var sp), we have something valuable to offer you.

The Invasive Species control program for Fauna is Customer contract specific and conducted on Private Properties, Local Government-managed conservation reserves and on other Government controlled State Forest and National Park areas. The program targets introduced and identified animal species when deemed problematic including introduced rats, feral cats & dogs (not dingoes), European rabbits & foxes, wild pig, goats, deer, scrub cattle, donkeys, camels and buffalo. Feral animal control is undertaken in a humane and ethical manner, in line with relevant legislation and may involve trapping, shooting or in limited applications, targeted poisoning. The program minimises impacts on native and domestic animals and the natural environment.

The Invasive Species control program for Flora is Customer contract specific and conducted on Private Properties, Local Government-managed conservation reserves and on other Government controlled State Forest and National Park areas. The program targets introduced and identified plant species when deemed problematic including Skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea L.), Narrow leaf cotton bush (Gomphocarpus fruticosus), Paterson's curse (Echium plantagineum), Apple of Sodom (Solanum linnaeanum), Blackberries (Rubus anglocandicans, R. fruticosus, R. laudatus, R. rugosus, and R. ulmifolius), Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus communis), Lantana (Lantana camara), One-leaf Cape tulip (Moraea flaccida, previously Homeria flaccida) and Two-leaf Cape tulip (Moraea miniata) are just a few examples. Invasive species plant control is undertaken in an environmentally conscious manner, in line with relevant legislation and may involve spray, steam, burning or physical extraction. The program minimises impacts on native plant and animal species and the natural environment (waterways etc.)

Raised on the land in Zimbabwe, Africa, Ian became an avid outdoorsman; hunting, fishing and expeditioning in some of the World’s most pristine wilderness areas. 10 years spent with the British Gurkha Regiment was a period during which he developed expert skills in remote area operations; from the jungles of Borneo and Central America to the mountains of the Himalayas, from the rivers of Europe, Africa and Asia to the deserts of Australia. Ian is fortunate to have been able to advance his expeditionary capabilities – logistics, planning, navigation, endurance, survival, wilderness first aid, firearms, trekking, kayaking, rafting, climbing, tracking, hunting, fishing and delivering related training.

In 1993 he emigrated to Australia and began guiding in Australia’s Northern Territory where he initiated the Larapinta Trail treks and developed birding, botanical and desert area expeditions by foot, vehicle and camel. Ian trys to spend as much time as possible in the field guiding nature lovers, hunters and fishermen and is often asked how many years he's been guiding hunts. Ian thinks the more important question is, how many successful hunts he has guided. With successful experience on a variety of African, Australasian and European game and guided kills on numerous Buffalo, Scrub Bulls, Wild Pig, Deer (sp) and Goat (sp), he's developed just a bit of knowledge...enough to bring together and exceptional experience for you.

Habitat Wise Group owns and manages a mixed farming operation where we focus on maintaining a sustainable balance between agriculture and the natural landscape, developing quality pastures, an oak and nut plantation and producing truffles, honey, fruit, game birds and sheep.

The control of Invasive Plant, Insect and Animal species has unfortunately become an intrinsic 'cost of operation' within the agricultural mix. This necessity is a principal and guiding reason as to why the Habitat Wise Group has embarked upon a mixed revenue base which involves Farming and professional Invasive Species control both for our own farming operations and on a Contract basis for other agricultural and land management enterprises.