Deer now unprotected on VIC private property

Questions about Victorian gun and ammunition laws. Victorian Firearms Act 1996.

Deer now unprotected on VIC private property

Post by Aster » 02 Aug 2013, 11:30 am

Some progress for Victorian hunters/primary producers... The following is from the Department of Primary Industries Victoria site which was updated yesterday, announcing the un-protection of deer on private property.

Short version: Previously you needed a permit to spotlight for deer on private property and could only do so if they were affecting your primary production, e.g. destroying property, vegetation etc. You could also not harvest their meat if the deer were spotlighted for this reason.

With this order in place spotlighting for deer on private no longer requires a permit, and meat can now be harvested for non-commerical use.

Shooters who are not property owners can spotlight on property owners land under this order as long as they carry written permission from the property owner with them.

FAQ from the DPI website, aka the long version:

Unprotection of deer on private property FAQ

Why are deer protected?

In Victoria, all deer are declared to be 'wildlife' for the purposes of the Wildlife Act 1975 (the Act) with six established species further listed as game. This recognises deer as a valuable game hunting resource.

All game deer species in Victoria (except Hog Deer) can be harvested all year round with no bag limits. Having them listed as game ensures that they are harvested in a safe, sustainable and humane manner.

Why aren’t Victorian deer species declared pests?

Deer species residing in Victoria are not classified as pests as this will achieve no real on-ground benefit and would leave harvesting un-regulated. This could result in unsafe hunting practices, such as shooting deer under spotlight at night on public land. In addition, there would be a legal obligation for landowners to control deer on their property – this would impose a significant burden for landowners and would divert money and resources away from their core objective of primary production.

How will declaring deer as unprotected on private property help landowners?

Previously, deer causing damage on private property could only be destroyed after landowners had applied for and received an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) or by using licensed deer hunters. This created an administrative burden and often delayed control. This Governor in Council (GIC) Order removes that burden, allowing landowners to destroy problem deer at their convenience.

Can landowners use spotlights to assist in the destruction of deer under this Order?

Yes. This is an efficient and effective way to destroy problem deer and is a provision that was previously allowed for landowners operating under an Authority to Control Wildlife for deer.

Can deer be controlled by a landowner using spotlights beyond the boundary of his/her property?

No. Under the Order, deer can only be controlled within the landowner’s property boundary. People found spotlighting deer outside of their property boundaries could be found guilty of an offence under the Wildlife Act 1975 or land management laws and face heavy penalties.

Will illegal spotlighting of deer increase once this Order is in place?

No. Managers, permanent employees or anyone acting as an agent for the landowner will need to carry written permission from the landowner to destroy deer under this Order. People found in possession of firearms and spotlights in recognised deer habitat without carrying written permission could be found guilty of an offence under the Wildlife (Game) Regulations, 2012. This addresses any potential risk associated with unauthorised people illegally spotlighting deer. Spotlighting is a significant safety issue on public land.

Anyone suspecting illegal hunting activity should report it to the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

What time of year can deer be destroyed under this Order?

Problem deer can be destroyed at any time of year when they are causing damage or injury to landowners’ property or livestock.

Why are Hog Deer excluded from this Order?

Hog Deer are not included in the Order as they are particularly vulnerable to hunting given their relatively small population and restricted range in parts of Gippsland. There is no evidence to suggest that the Hog Deer range is expanding. Landowners with problem Hog Deer will still need to apply for an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) permit to destroy them or act in accordance with the Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2012. This species is not known to cause widespread damage and is currently managed under the Government’s Hog Deer Management Strategy.

Will people who destroy deer under this Order be able to use the meat or other parts of the deer?

Yes, for non-commercial use. Where the meat from deer destroyed under this Order is stored, it must be contained within a bag or receptacle which has the name of the landowner and the property from which it was destroyed written on it, along with the date it was destroyed.

Will it be unsafe to allow private property owners to shoot deer on their properties?

Landowners can currently destroy pest animals on private property as long as it is safe and consistent with requirements under the Firearms Act 1996. They can also already destroy deer on private property under an Authority to Control Wildlife permit, so it is considered that there is no increase to potential public safety concerns. All people using firearms must abide by the Firearms Act 1996. Under this Order, problem deer cannot be destroyed on public land.

What regulations exist to ensure destruction of deer is conducted humanely?

All deer must be destroyed humanely. The Order sets minimum firearm and ammunition requirements to ensure the technology is of a sufficient minimum standard to ensure a clean kill. People who fail to comply with the requirements of the Order could face a penalty of up to $7200. Also, people who fail to humanely dispatch a deer could be prosecuted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.

Won’t declaring deer as unprotected on private land devalue them as game species?

This Order will provide farmers with an avenue to control deer without having to apply for and receive an Authority to Control Wildlife permit, removing the current restrictive current arrangements. Declaring deer as "unprotected" on private property does not remove their status as game nor will it impact on the sustainability of game deer populations. The unprotection order for deer is not inconsistent with the way that wildlife are managed generally. Similar Orders are currently in place for common and abundant native wildlife species that can cause damage, including cockatoos, corellas and wombats, which allows farmers and their agents to control them as required.

Will deer still be classified as game?

This GIC Order balances the needs of the community by maintaining deer as an important game hunting resource while enabling landowners to control problem deer that are causing damage to their properties. Declaring deer as unprotected does not remove their status as ‘game’ or as ‘protected wildlife’.

How will this Order impact on deer hunting?

This Order still maintains deer as an important game hunting resource and doesn’t impact on current hunting opportunities. Landowners have previously been able to apply for and receive Authority to Control Wildlife permits to control deer. This Order simply removes the administrative burden associated with that process. The Order does not allow the destruction of deer on public land.

Can licensed deer hunters now use spotlights?

People wishing to recreationally hunt deer will still need to obtain a Game Licence and act in accordance with the Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2012. It is an offence for recreational deer hunters to use spotlights for deer hunting or be found in possession of firearms and spotlights in recognised deer habitat.


The usual calibre restrictions apply to this. Min .243 and .270 for the various species...

So there you go, a step in the right direction for us Victorian shooters.
See you on the firing line.
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Aster
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Re: Deer now unprotected on VIC private property

Post by Norton » 02 Aug 2013, 1:37 pm

Better to be a shooter in Victoria now than in NSW, that's for sure.
CZ 550 American Safari Magnum in .416 Rigby

Other puny calibre rifles... What man would want you now?
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Re: Deer now unprotected on VIC private property

Post by Broom » 02 Aug 2013, 1:59 pm

Norton wrote:Better to be a shooter in Victoria now than in NSW, that's for sure.


It's going from bad to worse for you guys. That hunting suspension is BS...

"Temporary" suspension probably means 2 years knowing the Government.
Ruger Gunsite Scout in three oh eight. Oh yeah!
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