Recreational deer hunters across Victoria have received a significant boost with the announcement of a $1 million investment by the Allan Labor Government to build and upgrade remote hunting huts equipped with meat safes in key deer hunting regions.

This initiative recognises the vital role that hunting plays in managing wild deer populations while supporting regional communities and local economies. For hunters, it represents a practical improvement to the way they access and enjoy the Victorian bush.

The Australian Deer Association (ADA) has long advocated for better infrastructure to support safe and sustainable recreational deer hunting. Through ongoing engagement with the government, the ADA has highlighted the need for facilities that enable hunters to stay longer in the field, process game more hygienically, and harvest deer more effectively.

This latest announcement is a direct reflection of that advocacy.

The new huts will serve as base camps in some of Victoria’s most remote and beautiful hunting areas, providing secure meat safes designed to protect and cool venison. These facilities not only enhance food safety and meat quality but also allow hunters to make full use of the venison they harvest.

For many years, recreational hunters have relied on game bags to store venison in the field. While effective in short trips, they are far from ideal in warmer conditions or more extended expeditions. The inclusion of meat safes in these huts is a genuine game-changer, offering improved hygiene, air flow, and protection.

The ADA welcomes the government’s commitment to collaborate with hunting and community groups on the rollout, ensuring that the huts are located where they will provide the most significant benefit. This partnership approach represents a mature and practical recognition of the contribution hunters make to land management and regional economies.

This announcement builds on other positive ADA advocacy outcomes, including the expansion of recreational deer hunting access in East Gippsland. Together, these measures represent a shift toward evidence-based, inclusive policy that values recreational hunters as part of the solution to managing wild deer.

As Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos noted, “These huts will help manage deer populations to protect our environment and boost local economies — supporting recreational hunters and local communities alike.”

For the ADA and the thousands of licensed hunters it represents, this is precisely the kind of balanced, practical outcome that long-term advocacy is designed to achieve.