Author
Accompanies the Peri-urban Deer Control Plan 2021–26: State Government of Victoria:
Summary
Effective control methods are limited for deer.
It is essential to use best-practice methods. These include shooting, fencing and guards,
traps and using dogs to flush deer into areas where other techniques may be used.
While deer control is possible in peri-urban environments, not all tools are effective,
practical, or available.
High population density in peri-urban areas and small property sizes limit the extent to
which shooting can be applied, either from the air or on the ground using professional or
recreational hunters.
Other considerations include the need to notify and engage a larger number of
stakeholders, the need to effectively assess each individual situation and the circumstances
surrounding each problem.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is being developed for shooting. Tranquiliser guns,
followed by lethal injection, are sometimes used to control deer by authorised people such
as veterinary practitioners, particularly in built-up areas.
Non-lethal chemical deterrents have been used to deter deer, but most are considered
useful only for short periods (Bennett, 2020). Similarly, some hunters like to use free feeding and attractants to lure deer to an area that is suitable for shooting.
Deer are wary and may become more difficult to manage when subjected to ineffective
control. The choice of control methods is influenced by concerns for animal welfare, nontarget impacts, public safety, occupational health and safety and restrictions (legislative and practical) on applying some techniques such as use of firearms on small properties.
Deer control requires a level of expertise and should be undertaken by experienced persons.
Given the size of deer and their unpredictability when fleeing, personal injury is possible.
Caution should be exercised when deer are cornered within a site or structure. Call Triple
Zero (000) where there is an immediate risk to public safety and/or animal welfare.