Victoria’s Deer Control Strategy

About Us
About VDCCN

The Victorian Deer Control Community Network (VDCCN) was established in 2021 by people concerned that there was little co-ordination or sharing information on feral deer control activity. The VDCCN now provides a platform for state-wide collaboration of all groups and individuals over matters related to reducing the impact of feral deer.
About us

Our Committee
The committee provides guidance and leadership for the work of the VDCCN.
Read more

Our Terms of Reference
Download the Victorian Deer Control Community Network Terms of Reference
Download PDF

Contact Us
For enquiries regarding VDCCN membership or for further information contact us.
Contact us
Info and resources
Info and resources

The info and resources section includes links and downloads of reports, resources and research papers related to feral deer.
View the resources
Other resources

VDCCN News
Latest news and information relating to deer control.
Read more

Events
VDCCN and Deer control event information.
Read more

Feral Deer projects
Victorian deer control project information.
Read more
Threats
The threat of feral deer in Victoria

There are four species of introduced deer that are running wild across much of the Victorian Landscape. The Victorian population is not accurately known; however, it is thought to be up to 1 million.
View the main threats

Environmental impacts
Victoria’s biodiversity is impacted significantly by feral deer.
Read more

Economic impacts
Feral Deer have a significant impact on Victoria’s agricultural economy.
Read more

Community wellbeing
Feral deer are a high and increasing risk to motorists and have invaded peri-urban areas.
Read more
Need Help
Need Help

The impact of feral deer provides economic, environmental and social challenges right across the community, whether you are a large landowner neighbouring forested public land, a landcare group restoring land or have a garden on a peri-urban area.
Read more

Lethal Control
Information on ground and aerial shooting and lists organisations and providers to contact for further information.
Read more

Non-lethal Control
Information on a number of non-lethal control methods including deterrents, fencing, removing water sources and harbour, and tree guards.
Read more

Community Deer Control
Information on establishing deer control community networks and collaborating community knowledge.
Read more
Feral Deer Control Kit for Victoria
To assist landowners to manage deer on their land, the Victorian Deer Control Community Network (VDCCN) has developed this kit as a guide to provide the community with more information about feral deer and control options for a range of property types.
Read more
Get Involved
Get Involved

The Victorian Deer Control Community Network (VDCCN) provides a state-wide forum to share information, experiences and collectively seek solutions to substantially reduce the impact and distribution of feral deer in Victoria.
Read more

Become a VDCCN member
The strength and influence of the VDCCN is only as strong as its membership so we encourage anyone interested in the control of feral deer impacts to join and contribute.
Join now

Report sightings of feral deer
To develop effective programs to reduce the impact of feral deer in Victoria it is vital to know more about where deer are present, which species and their impact.
Read more

Report on projects and activities
If you are managing a project or activity around feral deer control or have something interesting you can share it with the VDCCN.
Read more

Victoria’s Deer Control Strategy

Home | Info and Resources | Feral Deer Projects

The Victorian government announced in November 2020 $18.25 million for the Deer Control Program (2021-24) to support the Deer control strategy; plus $4.4 million ongoing from 2024-25.

The program currently supports a number of staff dedicated to deer control in DELWP (a state-wide program manager and 2-3 staff) and Parks Victoria (State-wide Program Manager and 4 regional officers). The program is also funding the development of regional action plans.

A number of deer control projects have and are in the process of being delivered on public land. For an update of what projects have been delivered and are currently underway click on the link below:

Victorian Deer Control Projects on Public Land link:

Current deer control projects on public land

Victorian Deer Project Link:

https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/invasive-plants-and-animals/deer-control-strategy

Other Projects

Bushfire (2020) Recovery

Deer control supports Helmeted Honeyeater recovery

Projects funded in Phase 1B of DEECA Deer Control Program 2022.

Victorian Deer Control Program Grant Funding and Strategy Implementation: 2022 2023

Biodiversity 2027: Biodiversity Response Planning grants

Commonwealth Funding (non-bushfire)

Landcare and Community

Melbourne Water

Victorian Deer Control Community Network (VDCCN)

Invasive Species Council (ISC)

National Feral Deer Action Plan 2023-2028

We acknowledge the First Australians and their elders past and present. Effective threat abatement in Australia will need to harness the deep knowledge and land and sea management skills of Indigenous Australians, and facilitate their meaningful involvement in decision-making.

The Victorian Deer Control Community Network (VDCCN) is a network of organisations and individuals that are interested in reducing the impact of feral deer on Victoria’s landscape

The Victorian Deer Control Community Network is hosted by the Invasive Species Council.

Other resources

Victoria’s Deer Control Strategy

Victorian Deer Control Projects on Public Land link:

Victorian Deer Project Link:

Other Projects

Get Involved

Info & Resources

Threats

Need Help

About Us