Jane Howlett, the Minister for Primary Industries and Water, has recently reaffirmed the Tasmanian government's commitment to maintaining the current status of Tasmania's wild deer with the minister explaining “The partly protected status of deer continues to be retained to deliver policy settings, such as the use of permits, maintaining hunting seasons and other regulation enforcement against antisocial behaviour (such as poaching) and monitoring of take and compliance,”
“The Tasmanian Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan 2022-27 identifies how deer are to be managed across the Tasmanian landscape and zones the land into areas where deer are sustainably managed down as a recreational hunting resource and where they should be removed or controlled,” Ms Howlett said.
This pragmatic approach received strong endorsement from Scott Freeman, the Australian Deer Association's (ADA) Tasmanian Coordinator, who elaborated, “Game status has always been about ensuring appropriate regulation and oversight of recreational hunting in Tasmania, an activity that generates tens of millions of dollars to our economy and supports local jobs supports landowners with their management goals of all game species in Tasmania”.
Mr Freeman reaffirmed the ADA's longstanding advocacy for expanded public land access: “By being able to expand upon what is already available, we can provide more access and more opportunities for Tasmanians looking to harvest their own free-range, organic, red meat and boost the economy with even more local jobs. It’s a win-win.”
Ms Howlett further assured “Work is currently underway to increase private and public land access for recreational hunters to sustainably manage deer.”
The Australian Deer Association remains committed to its productive partnership with the government, aiming to create more opportunities for Tasmanians, boost the economic impact of hunting, and enhance public land access for the benefit of all.
