Exciting news for SSAA Victoria deer hunters with the announcement of a plan to boost research into Hog Deer populations in Victoria to improve sustainable hunting opportunities for the prized game species.
GMA Chief Executive Officer Greg Hyams said the $200,000 research investment will assist the GMA to assess the abundance and distribution of Hog Deer.
“Hog Deer are one of the state’s most popular and highly valued game species,” Mr Hyams said.
“They are present in relatively low numbers, have a limited geographic range in Victoria and could be put at risk from unsustainable management practices.
“The new research will assess the abundance and distribution of Hog Deer using traditional and some modern population monitoring techniques like drones and thermal imaging.
“This research will be conducted periodically to monitor any change in distribution and abundance and will help to identify risks, threats and constraints on Victoria’s Hog Deer populations.
“It’s vital that we continue working hard to ensure that people who want to hunt can do so in a safe, responsible and a sustainable way.”
Research will focus on areas where public hunting access is permitted (six State Game Reserves) and where balloted hunting occurs (Blond Bay, Snake Island and Boole Poole).
Some areas where large populations of Hog Deer are present but not available for hunting such as Wilsons Promontory National Park, will also be targeted.
The information gathered will build on existing data collected through the Game Management Authority’s checking stations which collect information on harvested Hog Deer health and distribution.
SSAA Victoria Hunting Development Manager, David Laird described the news as “absolutely fantastic”.
“The Association is extremely pleased to see some definitive action that will enhance the management of Hog Deer in Victoria,” he said.
“SSAA Victoria has been advocating strongly on this issue over the past 15 months.
“Hog deer are highly valued by hunters and the Association continues to remind government that deer species need to be managed individually.”
The hunting of Hog Deer is strictly regulated in Victoria, with licensed hunters permitted to harvest only one male (stag) and one female (hind) during the one-month hunting season in April each year.
This research to help secure hunting opportunities is funded through the 2018-19 Victorian State Budget and is in addition to the Victorian Government’s $5.3 million investment in the Sustainable Hunting Action Plan.
“While overall deer numbers in the State have increased, Hog deer are limited in distribution, numbers are relatively low,” Mr Laird said.
“They need to be managed to ensure a sustainable population that offers greater hunting opportunities to licensed hunters on public land.”
Mr Laird also took some time-in-lieu to go Hog deer hunting during the middle of the open season in April.
“I was owed a couple of days and managed to convince the CEO that as the Hunting Development Manager I needed to go hunting,” he laughed.
Two days wasn’t a lot of time, but he was successful in taking a mature stag on public land on the morning of the second day.
After sighting the stag and a hind in the tussock, David crawled in to about 80 metres.
“There were a few tense minutes when the stag disappeared from view, but patience payed off,” he said.
“The stag eventually reappeared, finally offering a good opportunity for a shot.”
One handloaded 90 grain projectile from David’s Remington Model 700, in .243 Win dropped the deer on the spot.
