Connect/Collaborate/Control - Feral Deer Control Strategy
Draft for Discussion
Objectives:�
Key Initiatives & Programs:�(Detail overleaf)
Metrics:�
Working with partners raise awareness of the:
Raise Awareness of the Problem of Feral Deer
Vision:
Values:
By 2030, a healthy and respectful collaboration of community, interest groups, institutions and government has substantially reduced the impacts and distribution of feral deer within the local communities, the environment and on the rural economy of South Gippsland
We listen to ALL views respectfully
Aim:
To raise awareness of the impacts of deer and facilitate deer control in South Gippsland through an adaptive management (action learning) approach
We will work to protect our unique biodiversity and reduce the impact of deer
Our primary considerations are safety of people and animal welfare
Landholders drive control measures on THEIR properties, learning & adapting through their activities
Facilitate Feral Deer Control Across Our Region
Monitor the Impacts, Reach, Habits & Control of Feral Deer
Monitor & Evaluate the Outcomes of Our Programs
Facilitate deer control programs by:
Monitor the impacts of feral deer and the outcomes of our program by:
Monitor and evaluate the outcomes of our control programs:
Key initiatives
Monitor & Evaluate the Impacts of our Control Programs
Monitor the Impacts, Reach, Habits & Control of Feral Deer
Raise Awareness of the Problem of Feral Deer
Facilitate Deer Control Across the Region
Context for the SGLN Feral Deer Control Strategy
We are landholders and actions groups in the Cape Liptrap & Tarwin, Foster North & Mount Best and Fish Creek & Corner Inlet regions of South Gippsland. We have come together to manage the impacts that feral deal are having on our properties and the environment. Many of our properties share a boundary or are in close proximity to the Cape Liptrap Coastal Park. The area we are seeking to control feral deer and their impact is approximately 83,050 ha. We collaborate through the South Gippsland Landcare Network and partner with Commonwealth, State and Local Governments and their agencies as well as the private sector.
Meet with local landholders in each region regularly to provide an update of the program & get control, sighting and damage information from landholders
Maintain a list of appropriately licensed and accredited shooters (ie through SSAA), providing it to landholders and getting performance feedback. Work closely with shooters.
Provide landholders with model agreements, with conditions (that can be amended by landholders) to allow accredited shooters to control deer on their land
Coordinate with landholders for commercial deer harvesting across the region
Apply for available funding to assist with our deer control program
Through media articles, raise awareness of the impacts feral deer are having in our region
Inform government departments and agencies of the increasing problem in our region and the need for shared action and learning
Keep landholders informed of the ongoing actions we are taking and the learnings from our program
Engage the local community and enrol more landholders in innovative ways – such as reviving the Deer Hunters Ball
Encourage the wide use of FeralScan to report deer activity across the regions
Work with research partners to assess numbers of feral deer and their movement (eg 4G camera trial)
Establish trials to evaluate the environmental impact of feral deer
Connect with other feral deer research programs to update our knowledge
Annually assess and report on the results of our programs
Evaluate the impacts of our programs across all regions on deer numbers and distribution
Using Action Learning principles, continually learn and adapt our programs
Collect and collate feral deer data in our region
Develop a communications plan
Establish method of internal communications between landholders (eg WhatsApp) re planned activities
Arrange training in correct control methods & equipment
Arrange training in monitoring for environmental damage
Establish mechanism for reporting suspected illegal shooting to police
Establish landholder guidance on safety, animal welfare, carcass disposal, property access & illegal hunting
Draft for Discussion
Partners & Program Leads
Cape Liptrap/Tarwin Lower
Program, Policy, Initiative & Research Partners
Fish Creek/Corner Inlet
Foster North/Mount Best
Facilitator: Jenny O’Sullivan leapjos@gmail.com 0419153377
Champion: Cheryl Batagol cheryl@batagol.com 0418 574 924
Champion: James Gemmell james@dipalo.com 0432 445 768
Control Coordinator: Jenny O’Sullivan (as above)
Media & Communications across South Gippsland Landcare Network: Jillian Staton jillian@board.sgln.net.au 0417 177 234 and Jenny O’Sullivan
Facilitator: Karin Ruff - kruff@aussiebroadband.com.au
Champion:
Champion:
Control Coordinator:
State Government Policy & Regulation
Feral Deer Research & Management
Economic Development & Commercial Partners
Draft for Discussion
Key Resources & Further Reading
Sporting Shooters Association Australia – Farmer Assist Program
Pest Animal Control - SSAA Farmer Assist Program
Invasive Species Council : Interview with Dr Annelise Wiebkin
A national response to Australia’s growing feral deer problem (invasives.org.au)
Map of SGLN Deer Control Network
Draft for Discussion