Jeremy Rockliff, Acting Minister for Primary Industries and Water,
The Hodgman majority Liberal Government is delivering on its plan to modernise how we manage wild fallow deer, game and browsing animals in Tasmania.
As part of this plan, Tasmania's first comprehensive state-wide deer census will use aerial surveying, camera traps and citizen science to provide quality scientific data, supporting informed decision making and ensuring effective long-term management.
Following a public tender process, EcoKnowledge will begin aerial surveys next month. The aerial surveys will use a combination of thermal imaging and distance sampling by aerial observers to estimate the wild fallow deer population and its geographic distribution.
The up to date data obtained through the census project will help inform future deer management strategies.
Undertaking this state-wide census on wild deer populations is a key part of our comprehensive response to the Legislative Council Inquiry on wild fallow deer in Tasmania.
Among other initiatives already delivered include establishing the Game Services Tasmania with a primary industries focus in DPIPWE and the establishment of the Tasmanian Game Council.
To ensure the census delivers rigorous, reliable information, the methodology was developed in consultation with the Tasmanian Game Council and relevant stakeholders.
We are focused on striking a balanced approach between managing the impacts of deer on production agriculture, conservation areas and forestry, as well as managing deer as a valued recreational hunting resource.
A copy of the Government's policy response to the Legislative Council Inquiry on wild fallow deer in Tasmania is available here: dpipwe.tas.gov.au/agriculture/game-services-tasmania
