A growing wild deer population on Tasmania is prompting the state government to want to make it easier to cull their numbers.
The decision follows the latest findings of an independent aerial survey in late 2024 that ranged from the centre of Tasmania to the east coast.
The results show that since the first survey in 2019, the population in the survey area had grown on average 6% year-on-year over five years with a population now believed to be at 71,655.
Primary Industries Minister Gavin Pearce says the survey results provides much-needed evidence for managing the wild animals in Tasmania.
“As a priority, we are working with industry to unlock more public and private land for recreational hunting and progressing our work to further streamline permits to remove red tape and make it easier for farmers, foresters, and hunters to control deer,” he says.
“There is no one solution to bringing (the) numbers under control but together, there is a pathway forward.”
DEER CONTROL MEASURES
He also outlined other steps such as:
- A new Farm Assist Program to connect farmers and hunters with TasFarmers and the Tasmanian Deer Advisory Committee (including the Australian Deer Association and Sporting Shooters Association of Australia).
● Consult on the results of a commercial wild shot trial.
● Work with farmers on property-based wildlife management plans.
● Tighten deer farm security to prevent escapees joining the wild population.
● Plan for a third aerial survey in 2027.
● Develop a new plan for 2027.
A survey of the Forester kangaroo population at the same time showed no major difference in their numbers from 2019 to 2024.
“In 2022, we released the first plan, providing a blueprint for managing wild deer,” Pearce says.
“We’ve made strong progress in implementing the plan but we know more needs to be done.”
More information about the 2024 aerial survey and management plan can be found at nre.tas.gov.au/deer-survey
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