The Tasmanian Government has released the latest findings of an independent survey of wild fallow deer in Tasmania.
The aerial survey was conducted in late 2024 across the main deer range of central Tasmania to the east coast.
The results show that since the first baseline survey in 2019, wild deer numbers have increased within the survey area by an average of 6% year on year over the 5-year period with a population estimate of 71,655.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Gavin Pearce, said the aerial survey results provide much-needed evidence to inform discussion and decision making regarding the future management of wild deer in Tasmania.
"In 2022, our Government released the first Tasmanian Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan, providing a blueprint for managing wild deer across the state," Minister Pearce said.
"We've made strong progress in implementing the Plan, but we know more needs to be done.
"As a priority, we are working with industry to unlock more public and private land for recreational hunting and progressing our work to further streamline permits to remove red tape and make it easier for farmers, foresters, and hunters to control deer.
"There is no one solution to bringing our deer numbers under control, but together, there is a pathway forward."
To further back in our landowners and recreational hunters, we are continuing to:
* Explore a potential local Farm Assist Program connecting farmers and hunters in conjunction with TasFarmers and the Tasmanian Deer Advisory Committee, which includes the Australian Deer Association and Sporting Shooters Association of Australia representatives.
* Consult with stakeholders on the outcomes of the commercial wild shot deer trial.
* Work with farmers to develop property-based wildlife management plans.
* Increase deer farm compliance to avoid escapees contributing to the wild population.
* Plan for a third deer population aerial survey in 2027.
* Develop a new Deer Plan prior to the current Plan expiring in 2027.
A survey of the Forester Kangaroo population was undertaken at the same time, and it shows that there is no significant difference in their abundance between 2019 and 2024.
