Feral Deer Crisis in Victoria
· news
Feral Deer and the Shadow Hunters of Victoria
The feral deer population in Victoria has reached crisis levels, with estimates suggesting numbers range from several hundred thousand to over a million across the state.
While some landholders have welcomed shooters on their property to help control the problem, others are raising concerns about illegal hunting and its dangers. In one disturbing incident, Richard Leppitt, a private property owner in South Gippsland, discovered secret cameras on his land. The camera traps had been used to record images of feral deer and other wildlife, but also captured footage of armed strangers lurking around Leppitt’s property.
The presence of these trespassers is particularly disturbing given the growing number of reports of illegal hunting in Victoria. Critics argue that the state government’s claim that recreational hunters have removed over 158,000 deer from the environment last year is insufficient to address the scale of the problem.
John Kelly, Victorian conservation advocate for the Invasive Species Council, shares Leppitt’s concerns about the classification of feral deer as a game species. This classification has effectively protected the animals from being considered pests, allowing them to proliferate across the state. According to Kelly, recreational hunting alone is not enough to control the population and that methods such as corralling deer and aerial culling should be implemented.
The impact of feral deer on Victoria’s environment cannot be overstated. Tracks, damaged trees, and trampled landscapes are becoming increasingly common, leaving private property owners at their wit’s end. Residents in areas like Walhalla are also speaking out about the dangers posed by both the deer themselves and the shadow hunters who stalk them.
Landholders have called for a more comprehensive approach to tackling the crisis, involving greater responsibility from the state government. Changing the classification of feral deer from game to pest species could be an important step in this direction. In Western Australia, a coordinated effort involving landholders, conservation groups, and government agencies has led to significant reductions in the number of wild deer on private property.
For now, Victoria remains stuck in limbo. With its feral deer population showing no signs of abating and reports of illegal hunting on the rise, it’s clear that something needs to change. The question is whether a more effective strategy will be implemented to address this crisis.
Reader Views
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
The feral deer crisis in Victoria is a ticking time bomb waiting to be detonated by reckless hunting practices and inadequate government regulation. While recreational hunters may have removed 158,000 deer last year, it's a drop in the ocean compared to the estimated hundreds of thousands still roaming the state. The real concern lies not just with the deer themselves but also with the shadowy figures who are exploiting loopholes in the system to indulge their hobby at the expense of private property owners and the environment. It's time for the government to step up and implement effective, humane solutions like aerial culling and corraling – anything less is a recipe for disaster.
- ADAnalyst D. Park · policy analyst
The Victorian government's laissez-faire approach to feral deer management has led to a conservation catastrophe. The fact that recreational hunting is being touted as a solution is misguided - even if 158,000 deer are removed annually, it barely scratches the surface of the estimated million-strong population. What's missing from this narrative is an examination of the socioeconomic factors driving landowners to allow shadow hunters on their properties: desperation and financial necessity. Until these underlying issues are addressed, the crisis will only worsen.
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
The feral deer crisis in Victoria is far from just an environmental issue - it's also a question of public safety and landowner rights. While recreational hunting may provide some relief, it's unlikely to be enough to stem the tide of these invasive pests. What's needed is a more proactive approach: culling methods like aerial shooting or corraling, combined with stricter regulations on private property owners who invite shooters onto their land without due diligence. The law needs to catch up with the reality of this crisis - and fast.