The Australian Deer Association recently met with the New South Wales Minister for the Environment’s office regarding public land access concerns in New South Wales state forests.
These concerns centred around wind farms being placed in state forests, which (if they occurred) would reduce or remove recreational access for deer hunting and other activities.
The Minister’s Office has acknowledged that this topic has been subject to a range of different information. The Government wants to ensure that it is not the intent of the government to reduce public land access for recreational deer hunting and or other recreational hunting, however some land might be affected. Just like some private land will be affected by renewable energy projects, some state forests may be also. Impact will be minimised whenever possible.
The Government noted that there is currently a Bill being considered in the NSW parliament which would, if passed, open additional tracts of crown land for recreational hunting.
The Australian Deer Association will continue to work closely with the government to advocate for the preservation and expansion of public land opportunities for recreational deer hunting in New South Wales.