Authors
P.D. Moloney and J.S. Flesch. Game Management Authority
Summary
The total estimated deer harvest in 2023 was 137,090 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 108,700-172,800). That was 11% more than 2022 (123,400) and 59% above the average since 2009 (86,400). The small increase in overall annual deer harvest compared to 2022 can be explained by an increase in the proportion of active hunters (20%) and hunting days per active hunter (22%) being counteracted by hunter efficiency decreasing by 28%. Active hunters are Game Licence holders endorsed to hunt deer who hunted at least once in 2023.
In 2023, 60% of Game Licence holders endorsed to hunt deer were active deer hunters. This was the equal highest recorded and greater than the recorded average (50%). On average, active deer hunters harvested 4.3 deer over 10.5 days, which are both below average (5.5 deer over 11 days).
The most commonly harvested species was Sambar Deer (with an estimated total harvest of 106,500, or 78% of the harvest), followed by Fallow Deer (Dama dama) (27,500, or 20%) while 0.4% of the harvest was not clearly identified. This proportional harvest was similar to previous years, where typically Sambar Deer and Fallow Deer account for 77% and 18% of the deer harvest respectively. The percentage not clearly identified was much lower than previous years (2%).
In 2023 it is estimated that the total number of deer harvested using hounds was 13,600
(95% CI = 11,400-16,300). The average annual deer harvest rate using hounds per active Licence holder endorsed to hunt Sambar Deer with hounds was 8.3 (95% CI = 6.4-10.7), which is higher than the general rate per active hunter (4.3). The efficiency of deer harvest using hounds (0.37 deer per hunting day per team member) is lower than the general efficiency (0.41 deer per hunting day) in 2023. This apparent contradiction is explained by larger number of hound hunting days per active hound hunter (22.4) compared to the general number of hunting days (10.5).