Are deer impacting your land? Damaging your fences, eating your pastures or revegetation? You are not alone.

Across Victoria, deer are having devastating impacts on our native biodiversity, water quality, Cultural Heritage, public safety, and agriculture. Their populations are increasing exponentially: in the last 20 years, deer have almost doubled in range nationally. Left uncontrolled, deer populations have the potential to increase by 34–50% every year (given the right seasonal conditions).

In the Otways and surrounding region, these introduced animals are threatening unique and endangered flora and wildlife, fouling pristine waterways, and causing hazardous conditions to drivers on our winding roads through forested areas. It’s in the interests of all of us to bring deer numbers under control.

The Victorian Deer Control Strategy was developed to address the problem, with Parks Victoria delivering a state-wide deer control program (as described in the Strategy) to respond to the rapidly growing numbers. As such, deer control and harvesting will re-commence in the Great Otway National Park and surrounds in February 2025. The success of this control program relies on also controlling numbers on private land adjacent to Parks Victoria managed land. So, Parks Vic is really keen to work with any adjacent landholders and discuss how best to manage control. Parks Vic are also available to assist those not adjacent National Park, and can provide information, advice regarding deer management.

Heytesbury District Landcare Network and Parks Victoria are currently planning an event on Wednesday the 5th of February 2025, to tell you more about the problem and the control program. In true Landcare tradition, it will be an event with great information, community connection, and good food to get you thinking… in this case, perhaps some Dama Dama venison sausages that are making the best of the harvested pests!