The public land deer hunting ballot for the 2021 season is now open in a new streamlined format to reflect changes to deer management and simplify the process for recreational hunters.
For the first time, antlerless deer hunting on public land will be allocated through an electronic booking system, with bookings from February, and hunting spots available from April until November 2021. This new approach will test the use of electronic ballot bookings and whether this could be expanded for future seasons.
A paper-based ballot will continue to cover the stag (buck) season, with applications closing on the 15th of January and drawn between 25-29 January 2021.
In a change from the 2020 season, each hunting group must nominate a hunting party leader who enters the ballot once on behalf of the group by completing the online application form.
Successful ballot permit holders must adhere to permit conditions and, to ensure hunter safety, all hunters on Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) and Hydro Tasmania (HT) managed land must wear some form of hi-visibility/blaze orange clothing (such as a hat or vest).
Further, some reserves will be closed to hunting for certain periods to minimise habitat disturbance during breeding season for some species, including wedge-tailed eagles.
Ten reserves will be available in the ballot, including in the Central Highlands and the East Coast:
* Great Western Tiers Conservation Area
* Top Marshes Conservation Area
* Five Mile Pinnacles Conservation Area
* Central Plateau Conservation Area: Brenton Rivulet block (PWS) and Mother Lord Plains block (HT)
* Great Western Tiers Conservation Area: Parson and Clerk Mountain block (PWS)
* Great Lake Conservation Area: Tumbledown Creek block (PWS) and land known as Gunns Marsh surrounding Gunns Lake and Little Lake (HT)
* Tooms Lake Conservation Area
* Buxton River Conservation Area
* St Pauls Regional Reserve
* Castle Cary Regional Reserve
For more information or to submit an application, go to www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/DeerBallot
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