This site lists numerous reserves that are scheduled for ground-based deer control operations. This shooting is undertaken at night with the areas involved remaining open to visitors. Presumably, these operations are vehicle-based and are undertaken from roads and tracks in various categories of parks that are closed to hunting. Their impacts on deer numbers are probably localised and largely irrelevant to recreational hunters at present as they are currently no-go areas.

Aerial shooting operations during 2024 are, however, of much greater concern to deer hunters because they target some of the most productive, heavily utilised and highly valued stalking country in the Alpine National Park (see map). Hunters, and other members of the public, are excluded from these areas during aerial-control operations.

Aerial deer control operations were conducted in the Mount Feathertop, Dinner Plain and Dargo High Plains areas between late April and early May this year and are again scheduled for November 18 to 22 this year.

Recreational deer hunting in these high-altitude areas can legally occur between mid-February and mid-December, although hot weather and heavy snow cover/blizzard conditions generally restrict hunting to two short, six-week windows during April and early May and then from mid-October through November.

It is very disappointing, to put it mildly, that this key sambar hunting area is being targeted with control operations, and even more so, during already restricted hunting windows.

An Introduction to Sambar Deer Sign

Well-known sambar hunter and raconteur Peter Burke, of Sambar Hunters Edge, has just released a great YouTube video titled An Introduction to Sambar Deer Sign. It runs for 1 ½ hours and is full of great information on tracks, droppings, wallows, rub trees and scrapes. Whether you are new deer hunter or have been-there-done-that, it is an entertaining and informative watch that is well worth the time. It can be found at https://youtu.be/QxQoh_ZCuIw

Genetic Trends of Hog Deer in Gippsland

The Game Management Authority (GMA) recently released the 2023 abundance and population genetics of Hog Deer in Victoria report. The report estimated the abundance and distribution of hog deer in Victoria and provides an insight into their population genetics.

Trail cameras were used in 153 sites spanning across Gippsland from Lower Tarwin to Point Hicks to provide abundance and distribution data. Over 270 tissue samples were obtained from harvested deer at checking stations and the control program conducted at Wilsons Promontory National Park.

After collating and analysing the data, it is estimated that there are 4,252 hog deer in Victoria, with the highest abundance located on the Gippsland Plain (2,290) and the highest density at Wilsons Promontory (4.1 deer/km 2 ). The survey did not detect any hog deer east of Lakes Entrance.

The resulting genetic sampling identified three primary subpopulations of hog deer in Victoria: Wilsons Promontory, Sunday Island, and the Gippsland Plain. The research discovered that they have low genetic diversity, which suggests that they don’t tend to move into new areas or transit between areas. Of the three subpopulations, Snake Island was found to have a relatively high level of diversity, containing ancestry from all three Victorian subpopulations.

The increase in genetic mapping of subpopulations has the potential to help with compliance enforcement, as genetic material from existing hog deer heads can be tested and attributed to a geographic origin.

The Greatoutdoors Taskforce

Ongoing advocacy has resulted in a big win in Victoria: recreational deer hunters are acknowledged as stakeholders in government consultation regarding public land.

The Australian Deer Association has continuously flagged that any land tenure changes post-native timber harvesting in Victoria will likely have consequences for public land access.

Consequently, on April 1, the Victorian government announced the creation of ‘The Greatoutdoors Taskforce,’ which is charged with investigating ways to “support more Victorians and visitors to explore the great outdoors, protect biodiversity and create new recreation opportunities.”

The government press release goes on to state that “the Taskforce will consult with communities and stakeholders – ensuring all options for future uses and care of the forest are heard and explored. The Taskforce will consider opportunities to protect the environment and support recreational, social and commercial opportunities in their recommendations to Government.

This includes investigating which areas of the estate present opportunities for recreation and tourism such as camping, hunting, hiking, trail-bike riding and four-wheel driving.”

To have hunting specifically referenced and acknowledged is a result of engagement and advocacy work across many levels of government spanning many years.

The concept of a ‘great forest national park’ was effectively a stalking horse used to fight to end the native timber harvest industry. With the industry now stopped without creating a new national park, the original impetus behind this concept has died with it. However, shaping the future use of these public lands is the battleground we find ourselves in.

The creation of the Great Outdoors Taskforce is a fantastic step towards ensuring ongoing access to existing recreational activities, and the Australian Deer Association will continue to work productively with the government to represent the interests of the 51,000+ recreational deer hunters who cherish their public land access.

Your ongoing commitment and support as members is the only way this is made possible, and with that support, we help fight for a better future for you and the next generation.

Young buck scraping

Over Easter, Marcus De Haan snuck in close to this young buck scraping, it’s likely that a larger and wiser buck will move in soon and take over the scrape.

Four men convicted for firearm and spotlighting offences

Four men from the Latrobe Valley in Victoria have been convicted in the Magistrates court for firearms offences and illegal spotlighting near Omeo.

The four men were convicted and ordered to pay $2,200 and had their firearms, ammunition, thermal optics, spotlights, as well as sambar and hog deer stag heads forfeited and destroyed.

Three men were issued 12-month good behaviour bonds, while the fourth received a 12-month community corrections order. Three men also had their firearms licences suspended, while the fourth was convicted for using a firearm while prohibited.

Properties in Moe and Morwell were searched in December 2022, as part of an investigation into reports of illegal spotlighting.

The Game Management Authority’s (GMA) Director of Compliance and Intelligence, Zac Powell, said, “The search of the properties and admissions from the men linked them to the illegal spotlighting reports, resulting in their arrest.”

Inquisitive Hog Deer Stag

A sequence of a stag that Steve Robinson captured as it tried to identify him in the early morning.

Nest Builder

Doug Read sent in these photos of a white-eared honey eater busy acquiring materials for its nest from a sambar hind.