MORE than 60 concerned landholders and stakeholders attended the Up2Us Landcare Alliance Deer Forum at the Mansfield showgrounds on August 19.
Up for discussion were means to reduce wild deer populations that are booming across the state, including within the Mansfield Shire and the massive detrimental impact they are having on communities within peri-urban and rural areas.
The scale of the problem was outlined by Invasive Species Council's state deer project officer, Peter Jacobs, who said, "Victoria has the largest population (in Australia) with over one million now, expanding and moving into new areas."
As the number of deer increases, with samba and fallow deer being the dominant species, Mr Jacobs said, "Deer occupy 40 per cent of Victoria."
He said this rapid spread could quickly increase by 20 to 30 per cent, with thousands of feral deer putting pressure on the environment.
"The economic impact of feral deer if nothing is done could be $2.1 billion over the next 10 to 20 years."
"This doesn't account for the environmental damage which is hard to monetise," said Mr Jacobs.
Many attendees could relate to the agricultural impacts mentioned, including damage to vineyards, fruit trees, farm infrastructure, fouling of water, competition with livestock for pasture and how time-consuming dealing with the problem of deer is.
Mr Jacobs was aware of a plantation manager who said deer were posing a significant threat with damage to soft timbers, and it could run into millions of dollars if not stopped.
Then, he outlined the social costs due to the increased presence of deer causing more car accidents and people's enjoyment of the environment.
Mansfield veterinarian Dr Alana Davies provided a comprehensive overview of the severe biosecurity risk feral deer posed to livestock and humans by transmitting diseases including Foot and Mouth.
There was talk about the best methods to remove deer, and culling by shooting is still a significant means to reduce numbers, whether professional deer harvesters or private shooters.
Deer harvester Brett Conibear outlined the strict process of becoming accredited to conduct commercial harvesting of deer.
He explained how landholders could register with the Wild Game Resources Australia network to access hundreds of registered, professional harvesters, helping to reduce deer numbers on private land and providing an opportunity to earn a passive income for each kilogram harvested from their property.
Last month, the Game Management Authority (GMA) released its “Estimates of the 2022 deer harvest in Victoria” report.
The annual report showed an estimated 123,376 deer were harvested in 2022, a four per cent increase on the previous year and a 49 per cent increase on the long-term average (82,802).
The most harvested species of deer was the sambar, with an estimated harvest of 76,178 deer, of which 53 per cent were female.
It was followed by fallow deer, with an estimated harvest of 41,180 deer, of which 62 per cent were female.
The total of licensed recreational deer hunters in 2022 was 50,478.
According to GMA, this is the most significant number of licensed recreational deer hunters recorded to date – a slight increase of one per cent, an increase on the previous highest number recorded in 2021 (49,857).
The report found that the most popular hunting areas were around Mansfield, Eildon, Licola, Bairnsdale and Dargo.
Mansfield was also mentioned for the highest number of deer harvested in the vicinity.
The other areas noted were around Eildon, Whitfield, Omeo and Bairnsdale.
The Up2Us Deer Forum had a stellar lineup of other presenters, including National Deer Management Coordinator Dr Annelise Wiebkin, who provided the bigger picture.
The National Feral Deer Plan aims to increase neighbouring land managers' awareness, participation and motivation to control feral deer.
Dr Wiebkin's work is focused on supporting community-led deer control in Victoria and the rest of Australia.
Many of the speakers highlighted the need for grassroots action by community members and collaboration with other agencies.
Johannes Wenzel, chair of the Victorian Deer Community Control Network (VDCCN), of which Peter Jacobs is also a member, gave a passionate account of how the network was able to provide a platform for state-wide collaboration of all groups and individuals relating to the impact of feral deer.
Michelle Hanslow, from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), spoke about farmer assistance programs to deal with the deer problem and other support from the department.
The Victorian Deer Control Strategy was released in October 2020.
Ms Hanslow said, "Collaboration is good, it is great for the community not to feel alone, and they can commiserate together."
Coming together also allows for sharing costs and access to any available funding.
Several case studies were shared during the day of communities coming together to tackle the problem in a coordinated way appropriate for their area.
Providing a Parks Victoria perspective was Holli Holmes, who spoke about its deer program in the eastern region with a small team conducting ground and aerial culling to protect sensitive environmental assets.
Mansfield's Senior Constable Mitch Copey said notifying the police if shooting or harvesting will be conducted on your property was encouraged.
Still, any illegal hunters would be held to account for their bad behaviour.
Anyone interested in forming a local community deer control group or wanting more information can contact Up2Us Landcare Alliance on 03 5779 1593.