Victorian Deer Control Strategy
The Victorian Deer Control Strategy is our plan to reduce the impact deer have across Victoria.
It outlines a new approach to deer management and has three key goals:
- The impacts of deer on key environmental, agricultural and Aboriginal cultural heritage values and public safety are reduced.
- Deer control is more effective through partnerships and community collaboration.
- Awareness, understanding and capacity to control deer are increased.
To deliver the Strategy, the Victorian Government will work in partnership with:
- Traditional Owners
- public and private land managers
- conservation and community groups
- Landcare
- the agricultural sector
- water and catchment management authorities
- Local Government
- the Commonwealth Government
- other states and territories
- the commercial deer harvest industry
- hunting organisations and hunters
- community members.
The Strategy has been prepared by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR).
It is a key action under the Victorian Government’s Sustainable Hunting Action Plan 2016 – 2020 and is recognised in the Protecting Victoria’s Environment - Biodiversity 2037 Implementation Framework.
Implementation Plan
Goals, Actions and Deliverables
Actions
1.1 Prevent the establishment of new deer species and populations in Victoria
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1.1 Review the classification of deer species not established in the wild in Victoria (e.g. Chital, Rusa, Wapiti, Sika and any hybrids) and investigate their transition to pest animals under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. | DJPR |
DELWP Parks Victoria | July 2021 | Dec 2022 |
| 1.1.2 Review the current regulatory framework that applies to the keeping and farming of all deer species in Victoria to ensure that risks relating to their escape and establishment are being effectively managed. The impact of any necessary changes on deer farmers and keepers will be considered as part of this review. | DJPR |
DELWP Parks Victoria | July 2021 | Dec 2022 |
| 1.1.3 Develop and publish education material to reinforce that the release and translocation of deer are illegal. | DELWP |
Game Management Authority (GMA) Hunting organisations | Oct 2021 | Dec 2021 |
1.2 Implement the Deer Management Framework to guide Victorian Government and partner investment in deer control
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2.1 Implement the Deer Management Framework, including the establishment of regional deer management partnership groups, deer advisory committee and development of Regional Plans. | DELWP |
Parks Victoria DJPR Local Government GMA Traditional Owners Water authorities VicRoads Regional Roads Vic Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) Conservation and community groups Hunting organisations Industry Farmers Research institutions Deer Advisory Committee | Apr 2021 | Ongoing |
| 1.2.2 Communicate and promote the use of regional plans. | DELWP |
Parks Victoria Local Government Industry. | After completion of plans – starting in 2021 | Ongoing |
| 1.2.3 Use the Regional Plans to guide investment in deer control and other management measures. |
DELWP Parks Victoria |
Local Government Traditional Owners CMAs Community groups DJPR Industry | 2021 | Ongoing and as required once regional plans developed |
1.3 Undertake strategic deer control
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3.1 Invest in and undertake deer control and management activities as guided by the regional plans. | DELWP |
Parks Victoria Water authorities Local Government Traditional Owners CMAs community groups hunting organisations industry GMA Industry PrimeSafe | 2021 | Ongoing |
1.4 Remove regulatory barriers to enable effective deer control
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4.1 Enable public land managers to control deer as required without the need to obtain authorisation under the Wildlife Act. | DELWP |
Parks Victoria DJPR GMA Melbourne Water Local Government | Apr 2021 | February 2022 |
1.5 Facilitate development of a commercial deer harvest industry to reduce deer densities
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1.5.1 Utilise wild deer carcasses for economic benefit. Work with commercial entities to: - facilitate commercial utilisation of wild deer from private and public land to reduce deer densities - improve utilisation of wild-harvested carcasses from deer management programs, including pilot projects. | Public land managers |
DELWP Primesafe DJPR | Ongoing | Ongoing |
1.6 Reduce public safety risks associated with deer
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6.1 Identify hot spots for deer/vehicle accidents through the establishment of a collision register. | DELWP |
Local Government Vic Roads Community Insurance companies | Jan 2022 | Dec 2022 |
| 1.6.2 In consultation with local government and Victoria Police, develop peri-urban/public place deer management guidelines for inclusion in the Standard Operating Procedure for the control of deer outlined in Goal 3. | DJPR |
Parks Victoria GMA Local Government Victoria Police DELWP | Jul 2021 | Dec 2022 |
Actions
2.1 Provide leadership and coordination through strategic partnerships
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1.1 Coordinate an annual forum for land managers and other key stakeholders involved in Regional Plans to share information regarding deer behaviour, distribution, abundance, the effectiveness of control programs, impacts and management approaches to inform planning and control programs. | DELWP |
DJPR Arthur Rylah Institute Parks Victoria Local Government Community groups GMA CMAs | Annually | Annual (ongoing) |
2.2 Enhance traditional owner involvement in deer management
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.2.1 Engage with Traditional Owner groups to:
- ensure the protection of Aboriginal cultural and natural heritage values are considered in the determination of priority locations for deer control in the development of regional plans. determine Aboriginal cultural and natural heritage values requiring protection from the impacts of deer |
DELWP Traditional Owner groups | Public land managers | As part of Regional Plan development | Ongoing |
| 2.2.2 Engage Traditional Owners in strategic deer management, including assessment, monitoring, planning and management. |
Public land managers DELWP Traditional Owner groups |
DJPR GMA | As part of Regional Plan development and implementation | Ongoing |
2.3 Encourage hunters and commercial harvesters to contribute to strategic and cost-effective deer management
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3.1 Provide advice to hunters on how they can effectively contribute to reducing deer densities. |
DELWP Parks Victoria Hunting organisations | GMA | Through regional planning, DELWP website June 2021 and as opportunities arise. | Ongoing |
| 2.3.2 Provide advice to private and public land managers on the options available to them to control deer on their land, including cost-effective options such as engaging commercial deer harvesters or farm assistance programs run by hunting organisations. (this action is embedded within 3.3.1) | DELWP |
DJPR MA Industry Hunting organisation | 2022 | Dec 2022 |
| 2.3.3 Support opportunities to increase the involvement of recreational hunters in control programs on public land. | Public land managers |
DELWP Parks Victoria GMA DJPR Hunting organisation | Ongoing and as part of regional plan delivery | Ongoing |
2.4 Ensure a consistent and collaborative approach across state borders
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4.1 Work with NSW and SA to ensure a consistent, landscape approach to deer management is adopted across borders. |
DELWP Parks Victoria |
Public land managers Plantation managers Local Government DJPR | As part of regional plan development | Ongoing |
Actions
3.1 Improve knowledge of current deer distribution
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1.1 Undertake a deer distribution and abundance survey in Victoria on all present species. | DELWP |
Arthur Rylah Institute GMA Parks Victoria | 2024 | Dec 2024 |
3.2 Enhance knowledge and best practice management on deer
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.2.1 Initiate and support research opportunities that progress implementation of the strategy. Priority research themes include the establishment of deer density targets to protect key assets, further information on deer distribution and abundance, management efficacy, humane control measures, monitoring
and disease risk and cost. Refer to Appendix E in Victorian Deer Control Strategy for a list of current research needs. | DELWP |
Research institutions GMA DJPR |
As opportunity presents; as part of regional plan development. Deer control program |
As opportunity presents; as part of regional plan development. Deer control program |
| 3.2.2 Through research and trials, improve the efficiency of existing deer management and investigate new management or control methods ensuring consideration of animal welfare impacts. |
DELWP GMA DJPR Public land managers | Research institutions |
As opportunity presents; as part of regional plan development. Deer control program |
As opportunity presents; as part of regional plan development Deer control program |
| 3.2.3 Quantify the environmental, social and economic impacts of deer in Victoria | DELWP |
Research institutions Land managers Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences | As opportunity presents | As opportunity presents |
| 3.2.4 Develop a Standard Operating Procedure and Code of Practice for the control of deer to assist land managers. | DJPR |
Parks Victoria GMA DELWP Other jurisdictions Hunting organisations Local Government Victoria Police Private land managers industry | Jul 2021 | Dec 2022 |
|
3.2.5 Encourage the community to contribute to improving our knowledge of deer by:
- reporting deer sightings - reporting car accidents and other public safety issues via the reporting tool discussed under Goal 1. - being involved in community forums and sessions for informing the Deer Management Framework. |
DELWP Local Government Parks Victoria |
CMAs VicRoads Victoria Police GMA DJPR Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (PestSmart) Victorian Deer Control Community Network. | 2021 | Ongoing |
3.3 Increase awareness of the legal framework for deer control and management options
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3.3.1 Develop a deer management information pack, for all stakeholders, explaining: - why deer management is necessary (deer impacts) - the legislative framework for deer management (including landowner or manager legal requirements and animal welfare requirements) in plain English - options and opportunities for managing deer - best practice standards and codes of practice for the humane destruction of deer. | DELWP | DJPR hunting organisation GMA Parks Victoria Local Government CMAs. | 2022 | Jun 2022 |
3.4 Partner with other jurisdictions to share knowledge, co-invest in research and build capacity
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4.1 Work with NSW and SA to ensure a consistent, landscape approach to deer management is adopted across borders. |
DELWP Parks Victoria DJPR Arthur Rylah Institute GMA | National Deer Coordinator | Ongoing | Ongoing |
3.5 Ensure monitoring and evaluation outcomes continue to inform management
| Deliverable | Lead agency | Partners | Start date | Indicative complete date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5.1 Develop and implement a Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Framework for deer management effectiveness, value and success. | DELWP |
Parks Victoria Arthur Rylah Institute | Apr 2021 | Mar 2022 |
Strategy FAQ's
The Victorian Deer Control Strategy is a coordinated approach to reducing deer numbers. It is Victoria’s plan to reduce the impact of deer on the environment, agriculture, Aboriginal cultural heritage and public safety.
The Victorian Government developed the Strategy to address the impact of deer across Victoria. Deer populations have risen quickly and are spreading to new areas. This has a big impact on biodiversity, water quality, public safety, agricultural assets and Aboriginal cultural heritage values.
It helps deliver on Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037 and the Sustainable Hunting Action Plan 2016–2020.
The Strategy coordinates and sets priorities to get the best result in the control of wild deer.
The Strategy seeks to:
- reduce the impact of deer on key environmental, agricultural and Aboriginal cultural heritage values and public safety
- make deer control more effective through partnerships and community collaboration
- increase awareness and understanding of deer control build Victoria’s deer control capacity.
After feedback from the public, the Strategy now provides more focus on reducing the impacts of wild deer.
It earlier proposed deer management zones. Feedback on zoning said this approach was confusing and it was unclear how the zones would work. This was especially so for the proposed Resource Management Zone.
The final Strategy now has a Deer Control Framework that aligns with Victoria’s Invasive Plants and Animals Policy Framework.
The Deer Control Framework will set deer control priorities that offer the best potential return on investment and the best outcomes for biodiversity and other values. Its objectives are to:
- prevent new deer species from becoming established in Victoria
- remove isolated deer populations
- limit the spread of deer to new areas protect high priority environmental, agricultural and Aboriginal cultural heritage values
- preserve public safety
Regional Deer Control Plans will set priority locations for deer control or other management measures. This will address the damage deer cause in a defined part of the state.
The Victorian Government will develop these plans with:
- Traditional Owners
- local councils
- the community
Regional Deer Control Partnership Groups will help develop and implement the regional deer control plans.
These will include local stakeholders involved in managing deer impacts, such as:
- land managers
- local government
- Traditional Owners
- conservation
- industry and community groups
DELWP will lead the development of the Regional Plans.
The Strategy does not propose to declare all deer species as pest animals
Established species of deer (Sambar, Fallow, Red and Hog) will remain classified as game under the Wildlife Act 1975.
But that doesn’t mean they cannot be controlled if they are causing damage.
This is consistent with the draft Deer Management Strategy
These four deer species are already established in the wild in Victoria
They cannot be eradicated using current control methods
Chital, Rusa, Wapiti and Sika are the deer species not present or established in the wild in Victoria
The Strategy proposes to review their classification and investigate their transition to pest animals under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.
Feedback on the draft Strategy showed growing community concern about the impacts of deer.
More emphasis on managing these impacts and less on deer as a hunting resource was the most common objective the public wanted.
The Game Management Authority and Victoria Police are addressing Issues with illegal hunting.
The Victorian Government will continue promoting legal and responsible hunting.
The Victorian Government announced in the 2020-21 State Budget an $18.25 million investment over 4 years and $4.4 million per year ongoing on deer control.
This funding will be used to develop and deliver Regional Deer Control Plans under the Victorian Deer Control Strategy.
This will reduce the impacts of wild deer and create jobs across Victoria for deer controllers and associated roles.
DELWP is leading the development of the plans with Regional Deer Partnership Groups.
These groups will comprise local stakeholders involved in managing deer impacts and may include:
- land managers
- local governments
- Traditional Owners, and
- conservation, industry and community groups.
The first Regional Deer Control Plan developed under the Strategy during 2021/22 is the Peri-urban Melbourne Deer Control Plan.
Lessons from the Peri-Urban Deer Control Plan will help develop other regional deer control plans.
An Eastern Victoria Regional Deer Control Plan and a Western Deer Control Plan will be completed in 2022/23.
Delivery of key actions identified in the Peri-Urban Deer Control Plan will commence on-ground in 2022. While the development of the East and West plans is underway, further immediate deer control will take place in key locations across Victoria, creating jobs and delivering urgent action on the ground.
Under the Strategy, there will be a review of existing regulations that apply to keeping and farming deer in Victoria.
This will consider how well the risk of deer escaping from farms and establishing in the wild is being managed.
Some deer species that are farmed or kept as pets are not established in the wild in Victoria but are in other states. This includes Sika, Rusa, Chital, Wapiti deer and their hybrids.
The current game classification of these species will be reviewed under the Strategy. This will determine if they are likely to establish populations in the wild and what impact that could have on the environment and other values.
As a result of these reviews, one or more of these species may be declared pest animals under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. It would mean that farming or keeping these animals may require a permit in future or may be prohibited.
We will consult affected groups before any changes are made to deer farming regulations. We will consider impacts on these sectors as part of the review.
Wild deer control is a shared responsibility between:
- all levels of government
- Traditional Owners
- conservation and community groups
- the farming sector
- Landcare
- water and catchment management authorities
- the commercial deer industry
- hunting organisations and hunters, and
- community members.
The Victorian Government (mainly DELWP) will coordinate the Strategy’s rollout. However, partners and community groups are critical to its successful implementation.
Resources
Victorian Deer Control Strategy.pdf (PDF, 5.0 MB)
Victorian Deer Control Strategy - accessible version.docx (DOCX, 8.0 MB)
Victorian Deer Control Strategy Implementation Plan (PDF, 173.9 KB)
Victorian Deer Control Strategy Implementation Plan - accessible version (DOCX, 75.4 KB)
Victorian Deer Control Strategy FAQ (PDF, 182.8 KB)
Victorian Deer Control Strategy FAQ - accessible version (DOCX, 51.8 KB)
Page last updated: 12/04/24