More than 500 crop protection permits to allow landholders to manage the impact of wild fallow deer on agricultural crops were issued by the state government last year.
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The Legislative Council is in the process of conducting an inquiry into the management of wild fallow deer in Tasmania. It held public consultation sessions in Campbell Town and Hobart last year and is expected to host another one on February 4.
A government spokesperson said there were “divergent and sometimes conflicting views within the community on how to manage the species.”
The spokesperson said the government tried to balance the differing views of the community.
“Fallow deer are viewed by some as an introduced pest that causes environmental and agricultural damage.
“Outside the deer season, crop protection permits are available to landowners seeking to reduce the impact fallow deer are having on their businesses.”
Crop protection permits are given to landholders who intend to hunt and kill protected wildlife to prevent damage to property or crops.
The permit may also authorise the sale of wildlife killed or taken under this permit.
Conditional approval may also be granted via the permit to allow a person other than the holder of the permit to take wildlife as specified.
Wild fallow deer are considered a game resource for hunting by licenced hunters during the annual deer season.
Deer season runs from February 25 until April 2 for adult male deer and from March 11 until April 2 and May 13 until July 2 for antler-less deer.
Recreational hunters who wish to hunt fallow deer need to obtain a licence from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE).
Regulations include a bag limit of one adult male deer and two antler-less in total or three antler-less deer.
Wild fallow deer must only be hunted and taken with a firearm. The minimum legal firearm has a calibre of more than six millimetres.
Dogs and spotlights are not permitted for taking deer. All deer taken must be immediately tagged by the hunter using the tags issued to that hunter.
In addition the Central Highlands deer ballot is available for recreational hunters. It has been running since 2007 and includes the Great Western Tiers, Top Marshes and Five Mile Pinnacles conservation areas.