Controversial program to shoot feral deer on private properties begins in state’s South-East

Government shooters are moving in on private properties in the state’s South-East to cull feral deer for the first time as authorities ramp up efforts to eradicate the animals.

Government shooters are moving in on private properties in the state’s South-East to cull feral deer for the first time as authorities ramp up efforts to eradicate the animals.

There are an estimated 40,000 feral deer roaming the state, including about 24,000 in the Limestone Coast region.

Authorities have confirmed they have begun a controversial program to shoot deer on two private properties where they say the owner, Wetlands and Wildlife company, has not complied with laws requiring them to eradicate feral animals within their boundaries.

Limestone Coast Landscape Board general manager Steve Bourne confirmed to the Sunday Mail that the step to go on to private property without permission was being taken for the first time since authorities gained the power under a law change in 2019.

A controversial program to shoot feral deer on private properties has begun in the state’s South-East. Supplied. Credit: A. Dezery

Since then the vast majority of landowners have complied with requirements to remove deer, or install fencing and tag deer if they want to keep them on their property, including for farming.

Wetlands and Wildlife director David Rehn confirmed the company had been told to vacate the properties, which are covered in native vegetation and bordered by national park land, for shooting to take place between October 19 and 30.

“They’re shooting right now,” he said. “We’re quite surprised that they’ve concentrated their efforts on Wetlands and Wildlife.”

Mr Rehn said paid members used the properties for private deer hunting – culling about 400 deer a year – as well as activities such as camping.

He said it was impossible to remove all deer when they were able to migrate over from nearby national parks, which are managed by government.

Authorities can fine landowners who don’t comply up to $25,000 but Mr Bourne said no fines had been imposed.

“We’ve had an area where we know there are high numbers of deer. We’ve been working with (landholders) for well over 12 months. We’ve given as much time as we can,” Mr Bourne said. “This is certainly the largest action that’s been taken (since the law changed).”

MacKillop independent MP Nick McBride said he had lobbied state government ministers “on many occasions to find some leniency for farmers who wish to manage deer on their properties”.

“We were unsuccessful and the deer cull is ploughing on in national parks and on private land where approval has been granted at this stage,” he said.

South Australia has a 10-year plan to eradicate feral deer by 2032 and more than 8000 have been killed through aerial or ground shooting in the past 18 months.

Recreational shooting groups argue private hunting activity also helps keep numbers down and does not waste the deer meat.

Mr Bourne said because the government’s target “is eradication … if we are able to achieve that then hunting will have to take place where deer are treated as a game species, not a pest species”.

That is the case in Victoria and Tasmania.

Originally published as Controversial program to shoot feral deer on private properties begins in state’s South-East