Local deer sightings on the hop
Posted on 13 June, 2019 by Ivan
Local residents have reported a recent increase in sightings of feral deer in the forested regions around Muckleford, Campbells Creek, Sandon and Maldon. This coincides with a Victorian state government report concluding there are as many as a million feral deer in Victoria, with some species increasingly found in urban areas.
Andrew Cox of the Invasive Species Council (ISC) said ‘The deer invasion is coming’ and feral deer are ‘one of the country’s worst emerging vertebrate pest problem in Australia’. ‘Modelling shows that deer could easily spread across the entire mainland,’ said Mr Cox.
One of the biggest problems with feral deer is the erosion they cause along waterways and damage they cause to native vegetation. ‘It is estimated that deer numbers increased by 60 per cent between 2009 and 2016’, stated the ISC. Drier conditions have resulted in deer feeding on urban vegetation, and the state government estimated more than than 1,000 plant and animal species had been impacted by deer.
In its submission to a federal government senate inquiry, the CSIRO warned deer were now in a high growth stage, when invading populations cause irrevocable damage. Most of Australia’s now-extinct mammal fauna disappeared when rabbit and fox numbers went through a similar boom in growth. Without management action, the existing six wild deer species in eastern Australia will progressively colonise nearly the entire eastern seaboard, Great Diving Range and western slopes.
Landcare Victoria Inc is supporting an open letter to three Victorian government ministers, all with primary responsibility for drafting and/or implementation Victoria’s Deer Management Strategy.
The aim is for organisations, academic bodies and notable individuals to sign the attached open letter, asking for effective action on feral deer in Victoria. If you would like to sign the letter please contact Landcare Victoria Inc for a copy. For any queries please contact Phil on 0427 705 133 or by email at philipi@vnpa.org.au
For more information on the potential distributions of the six feral deer species, please click here
Feral deer in the dry woodlands of Victoria (photo by ABC Victoria)
I just observed small trees bark shredded up to a height of about three metres on a track to the Mandurang dam, I was wondering could this be caused by deer.
thanks John, very likely to be a Deer, if only 3m from the ground ringbarked.
Hello Fiona, My name is Charles and i am a licensed hunter i would be glad to help reduce the number of animals you see on your land as long as the size of your block is of suitable size to fire shots.
Hello, what is the advice on recommended actions from Connecting Country for residents who spot deer on their property ?
Regards, Fiona Koelmeyer
Barkers Creek.
Hello Fiona, thanks for your comment. We recommend that all deer sightings are reported to the Bendigo Office for the Department Of Environment, Land, Water And Planning, by calling (03) 5430 4444.
Hi Fiona contact myself, I am a licensed, registered deer shooter. I follow all rules and regulations and dont waste anything of any animal taken. I live not too far from the area.
Regards Matt