PUBLIC LAND ACCESS

NEWS Sean Kilkenny

As an introduced species, wild deer in Australia often suffer from simplistic stereotyping regarding public policy. The binary lens that views wild deer as only introduced attempts to limit the level of management and value that could be derived from them. It wrongly treats them the same as other introduced animals, even though their ecological roles and impacts are not equal and ignores the benefits they provide them via increased economic contributions, as well as improved social and health outcomes for citizens.

Human nature is to seek answers or explanations; often, complex answers or solutions are broken down into more understandable ones, and this is the narrative that sticks. These simple phrases can become a drumbeat that fights against rational or nuanced consideration.

When the subject of wild deer is raised, the terms and phrases “feral”, “invasive”, and “a million feral deer” are the war cries of the ideologues. These serve only an agenda, not one aligned with a mature, pragmatic solution, or sometimes even the truth.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Some introduced animals have broken the mould and are embraced and supported by governments because their value is recognised. There is no better example of this than trout, bred in hatcheries and released into the wild in New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria to support the recreational fishing sector by improving recreational fishing opportunities.

Recreational fishing provides many aspirational management and engagement ideals for the hunting sector. An example is the Victorian Fishing Authority, which can promote recreational fishing and regulate licence holders appropriately. The Game Management Authority (Victoria) is limited by legislation to be solely a regulatory body.

That isn’t to say fishing doesn’t have its challenges; recently, Victoria has experienced public land access issues to river frontages. We continue to support them on this problem today, as public land access is at the heart of who we are as an Association.

Public land access is also the bedrock for policy regarding recreational deer hunting and, to an extent, deer management in Australia.

Where ADA has successfully won and maintained public land access in New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria, we have a platform to develop more nuanced policies, support recreational deer hunting, and measure and appreciate its value.

Economic surveys are a prime example. In Victoria, due to the Sustainable Hunting Action Plan (SHAP, another advocacy win), economic surveys of game hunting have been measured every four years since 2016, with the latest survey due to be conducted in 2024. In Tasmania, we also successfully advocated with the government to conduct a similar survey that valued recreational deer hunting at just under $30M. Examples such as this and the SHAP result from the underlying factor of public land access.

Without it, the conversation becomes much more difficult. An example of this playing out is in South Australia. The value of wild deer is hamstrung, as hunting is only possible on private land. The subsequent public discourse on wild deer results in flawed policy outcomes.

Such contrasting situations drive home the importance of our advocacy work. And while we have had substantial public land victories in the past, the battle remains ongoing to ensure we maintain what we have.

Recreational deer hunting provides a treasured pathway to nature. It leads to better health outcomes for people, employs thousands of people, and provides an untold number of nutritious meals to hunters, their friends, and their families.

It is a privilege that we will always fight to maintain, expand, and pass down to the next generation.