TONIMBUK HOUND ASSESSMENT DAY

The Tonimbuk Hall has a longstanding relationship with the ADA, hosting events ranging from dinners and meetings to hound assessments spanning decades.

Being centrally located, it is a great venue that serves the deer hunters of Gippsland well.

This assessment day was once again a productive affair, with just shy of 50 hounds being present.

These events serve as an assessment day for those wanting to hunt wild sambar deer with hounds, as an engagement piece for the Game Management Authority with recreational hunters, and an educational opportunity for those wanting to learn more about hunting with hounds and breed standards.

Another official assessment day was held on Sunday, May 4, at the Sarsfield Recreation Reserve.

In a media release on April 30, the Victorian government announced new leadership appointments for Parks Victoria (PV) “to make sure that Victoria’s public land remains open and accessible for all Victorians to enjoy.”

These changes include a new CEO, Lee Miezis, after the previous CEO stood down in November 2024 after the government launched a “comprehensive review” that the Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos, ordered “to advise how the organisation can better serve the needs of Victorians and help them enjoy the great outdoors”.

Mr Miezis, a regional Victorian, comes into the role with a detailed CV, most recently as the CEO of the Victorian EPA, but also with experience in the sustainable use of forest and public land.

Alongside Mr Miezis, PV will also feature new appointments to its Board, helping it move in a new direction, including “ensuring they (Parks) remain accessible and enjoyable for all visitors while protecting the state's natural environment”. These appointments include the new incoming Chair, Daniel Miller, who will be joined by Professor Kate Auty, Graeme (Gus) Dear, Trent Nelson and Chris Newton, while Lisa Marty and Gill Sparkes AM will remain as Board Members.

Of note, Mr Dear was PV's Interim CEO while the independent advisory and restructuring firm Korda Mentha undertook the government-ordered review.

In a positive first statement as PV CEO, Mr Miezis declared, “I look forward to working with the team to ensure access to our beautiful parks, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the benefits of the great outdoors.”

The government's and PV's recurring themes regarding public land and access are welcome. In the past years, access and management of public land estates have been a cause of concern for recreational deer hunters, one of the most significant stakeholders and users of the public land estates under PV’s control.

The Australian Deer Association will continue to advocate and work with government and its agencies for sustainable policy settings regarding wild deer and recreational hunting on public land.

After putting in the hard yards, Finn harvested this fallow buck on NSW public land two days before his 25 th birthday. Some quick thinking had him switch his blaze cap for his new ADA one to make a great photo.

Melinda Gray sent in these awesome sambar pics.

“Slowly making my way along a game trail, some movement behind a nearby tree made me do a double take,” explains Melinda. “This yearling stag was hard at work, thrashing some low grass with his newly formed pedicles. I took advantage of this and carefully moved up to the tree and sat down beside it to get a clear view of him.

“With him clearly occupied, I was able to take my time getting all the camera settings correct and snapped away. Unfortunately, being at such close range, he soon picked up the sound of my shutter going off. Being low to the ground always works a treat, and this made me unidentifiable to him. He knew I was out of place but wasn't sure whether or not I was a threat.

“After capturing plenty of photos, I heard a distinct ‘thump’ to my right and out stepped a young stag in velvet, who was much more concerned about my presence. He started to bolt, but a few calf calls pulled him up and I was able to take some lovely photos of him as well before they both took off properly into the safety of the scrub.

“I was over the moon with the quality of the photos I captured during this encounter, and they are undoubtedly some of my best. I love this stuff.”

Two men from Melbourne have pleaded guilty in the Werribee Magistrates’ Court to illegal spotlighting, firearm offences and shooting protected wildlife in Abbeyard near the Alpine National Park. The men were fined, ordered to pay court costs, placed on 12-month good behaviour bonds and had their firearms, spotlights and hunting equipment forfeited and destroyed.

Game Management Authority (GMA) authorised officers targeted the area after community members and hunters reported illegal hunting activity occurring at night. Officers intercepted the offenders in their 4WD vehicle after observing the men travelling slowly along the West Buffalo Track, holding a firearm and aiming spotlights into the bush.

Upon inspection the officers found a loaded centrefire rifle and a rimfire rifle in the back seat of the vehicle, along with loose ammunition, four spotlights, three dead brushtail possums, and other hunting equipment.

GMA Director of Compliance and Intelligence Zac Powell said, “people who hunt in Victoria have a responsibility to know and follow the law - and those who break it will be caught and held accountable.

“Illegal spotlighting, hunting protected wildlife and irresponsible behaviour is dangerous and can put communities, properties, wildlife and livestock at risk,” Mr Powell said.

“Those who break the law face significant fines and penalties, they may be prosecuted, have their equipment confiscated and lose their Game and Firearms Licences. In some cases, offenders may face jail terms.

“When hunters and community members report illegal spotlighting, they are helping the GMA and partner agencies to target problem areas and protect their communities.”

Community members, including hunters, campers and local residents are urged to report illegal spotlighting to the GMA through its website at gma.vic.gov.au or by calling 136 186.

The Australian Deer Association established a blood donation team with the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood system only a few years ago. This came about because a committed group of hunters who regularly donated blood saw the benefit in creating a collective to help promote the gift of giving, with the aspiration of attracting fellow hunters who may not have previously donated to roll up their sleeves and give it a go.

Since then, the team has grown to 50 members, and this year alone, they have already made 47 donations, saving 141 lives!

The whole process is often completed within an hour. This includes a post-donation break and a spot of afternoon tea featuring crowd favourites, party pies, sausage rolls, and even chocolate milk alongside tea and coffee.

It is easy to get involved, just register on the lifeblood.com.au website and under teams search for the Australian Deer Association and join.

Even if you don’t live next to a donor centre, a mobile blood centre will be in town before you know it.

Chris Rudd managed to walk in close to some fallow deer before this year’s rut.