Cull numbers in as deer continue to damage forests, farms

AS DEER numbers, and incidents involving deer, are on the increase in our region, the department responsible for deer management on public land have released cull numbers for Victoria.

The numbers highlight just how invasive the exotic species can be if left unmanaged, not only damaging our natural environment, but destroying farm pastures and infrastructure along with carrying disease.

The Game Management Authority’s (GMA) recently released estimates of the 2023 Victorian deer harvest, showing an estimated 137,090 deer were harvested.

This is a 11 per cent increase on the estimated 123,400 deer harvested in 2022 and a 59 per cent increase on the long-term average (86,400).

Sambar deer were the most harvested species with an estimated harvest of 106,500 deer, of which 53 per cent were female.

Fallow deer were the second most harvested species, with an estimated harvest of 27,500 deer, of which 59 per cent were female.

The number of licenced recreational deer hunters in 2023 was 52,321, an increase of 3.6 per cent from 2022 (50,478).

Of them, 60 per cent actively hunted in 2023, and on average, active deer hunters harvested an estimated 4.3 deer over 10.5 days.

The most popular hunting areas were around the towns of Mansfield, Licola, Omeo, Warragul and Dargo.

The highest number of deer harvested were around the towns of Mansfield, Licola, Dargo, Omeo and Benalla.

GMA research principal Dr Jason Flesch said the research was based on information gathered from randomly selected licenced deer hunters who voluntarily participated in its phone surveys.

“Throughout 2023, approximately 2,400 licenced deer hunters were surveyed about their hunting activity including how many deer were harvested, where hunting occurred, hunting methods used, and the species of deer harvested.

“This research helps build a stronger understanding of deer harvest trends and hunting activity in Victoria.”

The report is produced annually by the GMA in collaboration with the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research.