Should the deer population problem should be managed by hunters, not helicopters?

Hunters call for cheaper, more sustainable solutions to the deer population problem as the aerial culling program begins in Tasmania’s central plateau.

A Fallow Deer dow returning to the hills to sleep after grazing in the fields of a Tasmanian Midlands farm.

Hunters could help solve the deer population problem while feeding hungry mouths, according to advocates, as the aerial culling of wild fallow deer in the central plateau conservation area begins.

Wild deer number have exploded in Tasmania impacting natural landmarks in world heritage areas, damaging farmers crops, and causing crashes on the road.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania announced the aerial deer control program would begin this month, with parts of the Central Plateau Conservation Area to be closed between April 28 and May 1 while the shooting takes place.

The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) are set to use thermal-assisted aerial shooting with volunteer shooters assisting on the ground, to ensure only deer are targeted.

Claremont resident Heath Denehey runs a blog called Hunting and The Outdoors, where he shares ideas and recipes around game hunting in Tasmania.

Hunter and blogger Heath Denehey before breaking down a deer carcass. Picture: Facebook

He makes and shares recipes for salamis, corned meat, jerky, sausages and more from wild animals including deer and wallaby.

“I really wanted to showcase what wild game in Tasmania has to offer and different ways to cook it. I’m really into the sustainability side of things,” he said.

“Not having a huge amount growing up, you learn to appreciate everything you can harvest on your own.”

Mr Denehey said aerial culling is inhumane, a waste of money and a waste of good meat, especially in the cost-of-living crisis.

“Hunters are actually able to use that meat, at the moment all those deer are being left to rot,” he said.

“We’ve got people crying out for somewhere to be able to harvest their own meat to feed their family.”

Mr Denehey said if the aerial cull were to kill 300 deer that would be up to 7,500 kilograms of wasted meat that could help feed those in need.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party lead senate candidate Phillip Bigg said hunters should be a part of the discussion and solution, but have been largely ignored in the debate.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party state secretary Phillip Bigg.

Minister for Primary Industries Jane Howlett said the department “continues to engage with landholders and communities across Tasmania to assist in developing deer control options that are relevant and sustainable”.

She said the deer management plan identifies how deer are to be managed across the Tasmanian landscape.

The plan zones the land into areas where deer are sustainably managed down as a recreational hunting resource and where they should be removed or controlled.

“Landowners have more access than ever through various permits across the zones to manage deer numbers down,” she said, with work currently underway to increase private and public land access for recreational hunters to sustainably manage deer populations.

Deer frolicking at Rossarden, Tasmania. Picture: Amber Wilson

Mr Bigg has been calling for the government to update game meat regulations so it can be donated to food banks, similar to New Zealand to use the meat.

Ms Howlett did not respond when questioned about plans to update game meat regulations.

She said more than $4 million had been invested into the wild fallow deer implementation strategy which includes the peri-urban deer control program, assessments, monitoring, trials, property-based wildlife management, deer farm compliance, and the PWS aerial deer control program.

Mr Bigg said government departments should work together to allow more hunters into sensitive areas to help control the population and use the meat effectively.

“Not only are we wasting taxpayers money on the program but we are also wasting a natural resource that we can utilise,” he said.