Deer survey: share sightings or experiences to guide control program

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Seen any wild deer around?
Seen any wild deer around?

Biosecurity experts are calling for community input into a new wild deer management program set to be rolled out in Macarthur.

Led by Greater Sydney Local Land Services in partnership with Wollondilly Shire and Camden Councils, the Macarthur Wild Deer Management Program will be targeted at reducing the increasing negative impacts of deer in the region.

Greater Sydney team leader of invasive species Nic Schembri said a recent report by the Invasive Species Council had recorded a 62 percent increase in the wild deer population over the past six years.

“Wild deer continue to have serious impacts on landholders and the broader community.

“We have received reports of deer causing vehicle collisions, damaging infrastructure, destroying crops and gardens and disturbing livestock,’’ Ms Schembri said.

“In order to ensure this program has maximum impact we are calling on the community to share any deer stories, sightings and experiences via a short survey.

[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“We will use this information to create a more accurate picture of the presence and activity of deer in the Macarthur area to guide our control activities.”[/social_quote]

Ms Schembri said key aspects of the program would include monitoring of deer through motion activated trail cameras in partnership with landowners, property and site inspections of impacted areas, the use of clover traps and ground control using professional contractors.

“We are using the same strict operational standards employed in the successful Northern Illawarra Wild Deer Management Program to ensure best practice control techniques are used during all activities,” she said.

To have your say visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/macarthurwilddeer or contact Greater Sydney Local Land Services for further information by phoning 1300 795 299.

Survey information will help guide wild deer control efforts.
Survey information will help guide wild deer control efforts.

9 thoughts on “Deer survey: share sightings or experiences to guide control program”

  1. As if I’m never telling you were I see them control program is just a nicer way of saying eradication/culling
    Perhaps the government should look into not allowing these exotic species into the country in the first place that way they won’t escape their yards and become a problem

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  2. I ran over one on the northern rd heading north just before cobbitty rd. I felt sorry for him but the repair bill will fix that.
    The council should take responsibility as the build median strips with trees shrubs and long grass, so there is no hope of seeing them until they step out. Maybe fences should be erected. Someone will be killed one day because of this hazard.

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