Victoria’s Alpine, Avon Wilderness, Baw Baw, Mitchell River, and Tara Range National Parks will reopen for seasonal deer stalking on Saturday, 15th February 2025, following the usual summer closure. Lake Eildon National Park will open later in the year, on the first Saturday after Easter.
The Australian Deer Association (ADA) continues to actively advocate for increased public land access for hunters, including in National Parks, ensuring sustainable and responsible hunting opportunities for the community.
Before heading out, hunters should always check the Parks Victoria website and relevant hunting maps to ensure they are familiar with access conditions, permitted species, and firearm regulations.
National Parks Where Hunting Is Permitted
While most national, state, wilderness, coastal, and regional parks remain closed to hunting year-round, certain parks allow deer hunting under specific conditions:
Alpine National Park & Avon Wilderness Park
• Stalking-only deer hunting is permitted from 15th February to 15th December.
• No hunting with dogs is allowed.
• Hog Deer may only be hunted in April.
• No pest animals or other species may be taken.
Baw Baw National Park
• Stalking-only deer hunting is permitted east of Thomson Valley Road from 15th February to 15th December.
• No hunting with dogs is allowed.
• No pest animals or other species may be taken.
Mitchell River National Park
• Stalking-only Sambar Deer hunting is permitted east of the Mitchell River and south of Hortons and Calvi Tracks from 15th February to 15th December.
• No hunting with dogs is allowed.
• No pest animals or other species may be taken.
Tara Range Park
• Stalking-only deer hunting is permitted from 15th February to 15th December.
• No hunting with dogs is allowed.
• No pest animals or other species may be taken.
Lake Eildon National Park
• Stalking-only Sambar Deer hunting is permitted in certain south-eastern sections of the park from the first Saturday after Easter until 30th November.
• No hunting with dogs is allowed.
• No pest animals or other species may be taken.
Other Parks Allowing Hunting
Several other parks permit hunting under specific conditions, including Cape Conran Coastal Park, Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park, Lake Albacutya Park, and Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park. These locations have regulations for game ducks, Stubble Quail, and Hog Deer, with some requiring permits for hides or vegetation cutting.
Regulations & Compliance
• Firearms Restrictions: Firearms must only be those calibres or gauges permitted for the species available for hunting in each park.
• Transport Rules: Hunters must not possess or transport a firearm through a park unless hunting is permitted in that area.
• Seasonal Closures: Always check Parks Victoria for updates on closures, hunting maps, and permitted species before heading out.
For further details, visit Parks Victoria or contact them on 131 963.
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