In a recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald focusing on the impacts of Brumbies, wild deer were dragged into the conversation. It was stated that before 2019, “tight restrictions” were in place that affected the ability of landholders to manage deer on their property. The so-called “tight restrictions” was a simple G licence. Despite the changes in 2019 removing the basic requirement to hold a G licence, it is still strongly encouraged by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) as it comes with $20 million of third-party, public liability insurance.
A map from the DPI is used to support the so-called explosion of deer. However, the devil is in the detail. Whilst the map chosen shows areas of so-called expansion and contraction, it is not a measure of relative abundance.
This data is available from the DPI, showing that, for the most part, across NSW, where deer are present, their abundance is low. Comparing the relative abundance of deer between 2016 and 2020, the minimal change in the high-density abundance of deer suggests that their current management is proving effective.
In contrast, the absence of wild deer from the list of the top ten EBPC major invasive species is compelling.
This highlights the ongoing challenge of having a mature conversation regarding deer management in Australia when the dialogue is constantly threatened by well-resourced organisations that appear ideologically, not pragmatically driven.
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