SSAA NSW

18 Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. Managing wild deer in NSW In June 2017, some restrictions on how licensed hunters can hunt wild deer on private land were lifted in eight Local Government Areas. Ecological management of wild deer Ecological Deer Management (EDM) supports private landholders and public land managers in controlling wild deer populations. Management of wild deer herds is best achieved by tailoring a detailed plan for a particular herd and its ecology on a particular land area, along with adequate resources to carry out the plan. Through structured assistance from licensed and reputable hunters, EDM minimises the impact of wild deer and supports those who need to manage them. This management approach acknowledges that, although wild deer can cause damage to environmental, agricultural, economic and community values; they are also a popular game species, highly valued by hunters. EDM leverages the volunteer resources of licensed hunters to achieve specific goals set out in management plans designed for the land manager. EDM focuses hunting effort to assist both local and regional deer management objectives. The program will achieve this by: • Supporting private land managers affected by wild deer to create a tailored deer management plan for their land or region and by suspending the normal restrictions that apply to hunting wild deer. • Focusing hunter effort on doe/hind harvest while restricting buck/stag harvest to assist with deer management objectives. • Providing fair and equitable access to deer hunting opportunities for licensed hunters on declared public land in NSW. • Supporting the broader planning, coordination and research efforts for wild deer management in NSW. Those seeking to hunt deer in NSW must hold a game hunting licence, either General (G-Licence, for private land only) or Restricted (R-Licence, for public land, including private land). They must also abide by special conditions that restrict when and how wild deer are hunted and adhere to a mandatory code of practice. Do I need a licence to hunt deer? Not everyone needs a licence before they can hunt wild deer – individuals with special circumstances are exempt from holding a game hunting licence and from obeying the special conditions: • Landowners, occupiers and persons that live in their household, when hunting on the land they own or occupy. • Employees of landowners or occupiers when hunting on land owned or occupied by their employer. • Aboriginal persons hunting pursuant to native title or undertaking traditional cultural hunting. • Persons hunting deer in accordance with imposed pest or deer control orders. • Public or local officers in the course of their work duties. • Veterinarians killing or treating wild deer due to illness or injury. I don't need a licence; what does that mean? It's always best to check if you're exempt from holding a game hunting licence by discussing your specific circumstances. Call or email the Game Licensing Unit on 02 6363 7650 or game.licensing@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

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