The Tasmanian Government has commissioned a consultancy (CLIP) to report on the feasibility of a trial of commercial harvest of wild deer in Tasmania.
The Australian Deer Association has concerns about the impartiality of the consultant engaged and we have strong suspicions that his final report will be an attempt to “please everyone”.
As a part of the report writing process, CLIP have sent out a survey for hunters.
A number of the questions are arguably leading and seem to ignore the realities of the set up and compliance costs of commercial harvest (>$20,000 plus vehicle), the relatively low return to contractors (circa $2.00 per kg carcass weight delivered in optimal condition) and the limited market for product (exacerbated even more now by the COVID-19 related downturn in hospitality).
We are also concerned that the economic questions, whilst interesting, may lead to the publications of conclusions which are not subject to the rigour of a proper economic study.
Notwithstanding all of the above we feel that it is important that Tasmanian hunters complete the survey openly and honestly.
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