DEER hunting regulations have been lifted across the Northern Tablelands to help licenced hunters manage deer numbers to assist farmers, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced on Monday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Marshall said this was a necessary step to manage growing wild deer populations in the region.
READ ALSO:
“The suspension of deer hunting regulations is part of a state-wide approach to manage wild deer populations,” Mr Marshall said.
“Deer numbers are on the rise. A NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) study estimates that they have almost doubled their distribution across NSW since 2009.
“Our farmers, the environment, and community are impacted by deer through grazing, fence damage, vehicle collisions, and damage to native vegetation.
“Unfortunately, these impacts are heightened with current drought conditions persisting throughout the State. Deer now compete for scare fodder with livestock and native animals like kangaroos.”
Lifting deer hunting regulations means that:
· Seasonal restrictions on the hunting of fallow, red, wapiti and hog deer are suspended; and
· Use of spotlights and other electronic devices, hunting from vehicles and hunting deer at night is allowed (except on public land declared for hunting).
All other firearm and hunting licence requirements remain unchanged.
“I would encourage hunters interested in assisting landholders to register with the DPI Game Licensing Unit, so they can be placed on a hunter register that landholders may access,” Mr Marshall said.
“I welcome this sensible decision – it will greatly assist farmers across our region.”
Further information about game hunting and the suspension of deer hunting regulations is available at DPI’s website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/hunting, or by contacting the DPI Game Licensing Unit Customer Service Team on 02 6363 7650.
