Plan proposed to cut Tasmanian deer numbers

The 44-page strategy, developed by the Bob Brown Foundation and the Invasive Species Council, stated fallow deer occupied more than two million hectares of the state - or 27 per cent of its landmass.

It said habitat suitability modelling predicted deer could inhabit 56 per cent of the state in the future unless action was taken.

The strategy had proposed confinement of fallow deer to a population of less than 10,000 by 2032.

It said this population would be contained within the midlands zone.

It suggested this measure would return the population to that of the late 1970s and reduce the area occupied by deer to 12 per cent of the state. The strategy is based on the principles of prevention, eradication, control and containment, and asset protection.

Control methods would include ground and aerial shooting by professional pest controllers, hunters, farmers and landowners as well as trapping, exclusion fencing, baiting, and non-lethal repellents.

The strategy aims for there to be no wild deer in areas of high conservation value, including the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, in 10 years' time.

It has stipulated that there cannot be any new deer farms established outside the control and containment zone in the state's midlands.

This is to prevent the escape of deer from farms and the creation of new wild deer populations.

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The strategy has proposed the establishment of a Feral Deer Control Taskforce to ensure deer do not become established in the prevention zone, that deer are removed from the eradication zone by certain deadlines, and to reduce the statewide deer population.

It proposed the taskforce consider a trial of the use of wild shot fallow deer for commercial use.

If this was considered feasible and low-risk, the taskforce would be expected to work with industry to develop a policy around commercial use of deer carcasses.

The strategy is estimated to cost $1.8 billion a year to implement.

Meanwhile the federal government has launched a new website, to support national efforts to tackle the growing feral deer problem.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud says feral deer are estimated to cost land managers an average of $2,133 each year.

"Feral deer cause significant impacts on agriculture, the environment and are a road safety concern in parts of Australia," Mr Littleproud said.

"The new website will support the development and delivery of the National Feral Deer Action Plan, raise awareness of feral deer impacts, and provide strategies and tools for managing feral deer.

"It provides platform for communities wanting to manage the impacts of feral deer in their local area, and to share knowledge of what is and isn't working, through videos, podcasts and events," Mr Litttleproud said.

"It will also provide access to news articles and updates on research findings.

"The website will help groups across the country to coordinate their efforts to control feral deer and share knowledge on how to manage impacts."

The National Feral Deer Action Plan is currently being developed by a national working group, led by Dr Annelise Wiebkin, the National Deer Management Coordinator.