New deer hunting rules a small step in the right direction

NSW Farmers cautiously welcomes the NSW Government’s announcement regarding new rules for deer hunting, and calls on the Government to continue to work with landholders to implement stronger measures that effectively manage increasing deer numbers. 

The changes remove certain conditions which had prevented activities such as hunting at night or the use of spotlights, electronic devices, aircraft or motor vehicles. They also remove the ‘open season’ conditions which had governed when certain species could be hunted. Some of the areas worst affected by deer were already exempted from these rules, however this announcement represents a state-wide lift. 

NSW Farmers State Pest Animal Committee representative, Craig Mitchell, acknowledges that the new rules for deer hunting in NSW are a step in the right direction, but effective management cannot be achieved unless deer are given pest status. 

“These changes remove onerous conditions and standardise requirements across the state, however unless deer are classified as a pest we are going to struggle to make any meaningful impact.

“Deer are not native, they generate significant costs to landholders and pose serious biosecurity risks- in any other case this would warrant pest status.

“Allowing deer to be exempt from pest status under a special ‘game’ classification appears to favour the recreation of hunters over the livelihood of farmers.

“If a control campaign is to be successful, every private and public landholder needs to do their part- however the Local Land Services are not able serve pest control orders for game animals, meaning there is no way of making recalcitrant landholders comply,” Mr Mitchell said.

NSW Farmers has closely monitored the roll out of the regional pest plans and will continue to advocate for a collaborative, coordinated and pragmatic approach by all parties involved in pest management.

Date: Monday 19 November 2018
Media Contact:   Michael Burt  | 0428 228 988