Deer breeding season triggers call for community action


With deer breeding season fast approaching, the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions is reminding communities of the heightened risk of feral deer on the road as well as increased activity and damage across Australia’s landscapes, including in suburban streets.

Dr Annelise Wiebkin, National Deer Management Coordinator, says feral deer cause serious damage in farmland, native bushland and urban areas and that breeding season is a particularly critical time to notice their presence and manage their impacts.

“Feral deer activity will intensify in coming weeks, so people may see deer more often or even for the first time in a new area. It’s important the community reports sightings on the free DeerScan app. We have a small window of opportunity to track their spread and support control efforts, particularly in areas where feral deer numbers are still low.”

“Feral deer trash and eat native vegetation, ringbark trees, create wallows, trample undergrowth and spread weed seeds, all things that threaten the survival of native flora and fauna,” Dr Wiebkin said.

Feral deer degrade landscapes by creating wallows. Image Darryn Mundt.

 

The Centre’s Chief Executive Officer, Shauna Chadlowe, warns that feral deer are becoming an increasing concern to communities across the country, with extreme weather events – such as droughts, floods and fires – pushing them into new areas.

“It’s astonishing – deer have now spread to every state and territory in Australia. In fact, nearly a quarter of New South Wales and Tasmania, and almost half of Victoria are now home to established populations. Their numbers have increased tenfold in recent decades,” she said.

“We need everyone to stay alert. Every Australian can play a role by reporting feral deer sightings or signs, like tracks and damage. These reports are crucial – they help drive coordinated efforts to control new deer populations before they spiral out of control. By acting now, we can stop their spread and save Australia millions of dollars each year,” she added.

Feral deer damage vegetation in peri-urban areas.

Feral deer also hit the farming community hard, with Ted Rowley, Independent Chair of the National Feral Deer Action Plan Committee underscoring the importance of control efforts.

“Farmers are fed up: deer cause $69 million in agricultural productivity losses and $4.5 million in vehicle and train collisions each year. The Plan is key to stopping these losses,” he said.

Jenny O’Sullivan, champion of Victoria’s Cape Liptrap community deer control group says “The free DeerScan app is really important for our community group. Reported sightings enable us to know where the deer are moving about in our community, and to focus our control efforts more effectively”.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Download DeerScan (one of the FeralScan community pest animal recording and management tools). It’s a free resource for individual landholders, Landcare groups, community groups, local Councils, professional pest controllers and biosecurity groups. Designed by landholders for communities to report deer to support land management and coordinated control efforts.

Deer by the numbers: costing us ‘deerly’

    • Six species of feral deer have become widespread in Australia.
    • Deer numbers in Australia are estimated at between 1 and 2 million.
    • Feral deer cost the Australian economy about $91.3 million in 2021, including:

o $69.1 in agricultural losses
o $17.8 million in public expenditure for control efforts
o $3.3 million in motor vehicle impacts
o $1.2 million in train collisions.

The National Deer Management Coordinator Program is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The program works to progress actions in the NFDAP, like improving tools, strategies, capacity, and awareness to minimise agricultural and environmental damage and road hazards caused by feral deer. The Plan promotes eradication of feral deer where feasible.