AUSTRALIAN DEER ASSOCIATION (VIC)
MEDIA RELEASE
December 8th 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Deer hunters support calls for deer management
The Australian Deer Association fully supports the call by Independent Member for Gippsland East,
Craig Ingram to amend the National Parks legislation currently before parliament to expand the available
area for deer hunting in eastern Victoria.
“Mr Ingram’s call for amendments to legislation currently before the parliament to allow deer hunting in
the Snowy River and other national park extensions is supported by Victoria’s deer hunters” said the
secretary of the Australian Deer Association Victoria, Steve Garlick.
“The Australian Deer Association has been in discussions with Parks Victoria regarding the need for
ongoing deer management within wilderness zones and national parks for many years.”
“In 2004, a Memorandum of Co-operation was developed between Parks Victoria and the Australian Deer
Association to provide a framework for suitable outcomes in deer research and management for parks.”
“Deer numbers are increasing in parks where deer hunting is prohibited and opening these parks, as per
existing conditions for other national parks, will provide deer management that is non-existent, but much
required, in these areas” said Mr Garlick
As part of the legislation before parliament for the creation of the Tara Range National Park, the addition
of the Snowy River and other parks to those available would provide management at no cost to land
managers via licensed deer hunters and does not require changes to the existing Wildlife (Game)
regulations.
In conjunction with the opening up of new areas, the current restrictions on the type of species that can be
hunted within national parks should also be reviewed as wapiti, red, fallow, and rusa are unable to be
hunted yet are present in these parks.
Deer hunting is a highly regulated activity and is conducted across the eastern and north eastern regions
of Victoria in Wilderness Zones and National Parks excluding the summer holiday season and is the
safest adventure outdoor activity according to the National Coroners Information database.
Media Contact: Steve Garlick 0438 840 915, email vic@austdeer.asn.au
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ENDS-
The Australian Deer Association is a national membership based deer hunting and management body
which has been actively lobbying for hunter access and the effective management of wild deer since
1969. Many ADA initiatives have been adopted by governments in this time that have allowed for such
things as regulated hunting in national parks and deer monitoring programs with Parks Victoria. ADA
continues to advocate that deer management based on research should be the primary wildlife concern of
NEWS 
