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7 Deer

Deer Hunting in Victoria

Four species of deer can be legally hunted in Victoria. They are: Sambar Deer, which occur in the dry and wet sclerophyll forest communities of the Victorian Eastern Highlands and Midlands; Hog Deer, which are restricted to the low lying coastal shrublands and tea-tree swamps on the Gippsland Plains of south-eastern Victoria; Red Deer, which are largely confined to the Grampians and areas of surrounding forest where isolated populations exist; and Fallow Deer, which are commonly found throughout wooded areas of eastern and south-western Victoria.

The hunting of deer is only permitted from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset during the prescribed open season. Deer hunters should remember that it is illegal to hunt on or across roads or tracks and to use vehicles, spotlights, two-way radios or electronic devices to hunt or assist in the pursuit of game. Electronic equipment may be used for safety purposes or to locate hounds after a hunt has ceased (see "The use of tracking collars").

The hunting of deer is only permitted from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset during the prescribed open season. Deer hunters should remember that it is illegal to hunt on or across roads or tracks and to use vehicles, spotlights, two-way radios or electronic devices to hunt or assist in the pursuit of game. Electronic equipment may be used for safety purposes or to locate hounds after a hunt has ceased (see "The use of tracking collars").

Sambar Deer - Stalking

Sambar Deer are the most successful and widespread of the deer species introduced into Victoria and are considered to be a premier game animal.

Open season: all year. On some types of Crown land, hunting of Sambar Deer is not permitted during part of the open season (see Section 12 "Where You Can Hunt").

Bag limit: no limit.

Hunting method:

Centrefire rifle - minimum legal calibre .270" (6.85mm); minimum legal cartridge case length 2" (51mm); minimum legal projectile weight 130 grains (8.45 grams).
Muzzle-loading rifle - minimum legal calibre 45" (11.45 mm); minimum legal projectile weight 230 grains (14.91 grams).
A bow may be used (see "Hunting deer with a bow" page ??)
Use of gundogs for hunting Sambar Deer

Gundogs may be used to hunt Sambar Deer in that part of Victoria bounded on the south by the Princes Highway and on the west broadly by the Hume Highway, but not in National and State Parks, other closed areas (see page ??) or private land without the land owner's consent. For more precise details, see section 12 "Where You Can Hunt", or contact the DPI office in the area that you intend to hunt.

Hunters using gundogs to hunt Sambar Deer may use up to two gundogs (including any juvenile gundogs in training) when actively hunting in the field. Hunters hunting as part of a team are also restricted to a maximum of two gundogs per team. Gundogs must not be used to hunt Hog Deer, Red Deer or Fallow Deer. For more information on the permitted gundog breeds, please see page ??.

Sambar Deer - Hound Hunting

Scent-trailing hounds may be used to hunt Sambar Deer in that part of Victoria bounded on the south by the Princes Highway and on the west broadly by the Hume Highway, but not in National and State Parks, other closed areas (see page ??) or private land without the land owner's consent. For more precise details, see section 12 "Where You Can Hunt", or contact your local DPI office in the area that you intend to hunt.

Scent-trailing hounds must not be used to hunt Hog Deer, Red Deer or Fallow Deer.

Open season: from the second Saturday after Easter Sunday (3 May 2003) until the last day in November (30 November 2003).

Bag limit: no limit.

Hunting method:

Centrefire rifle - minimum legal calibre .270" (6.85mm); minimum legal cartridge case length 2" (51mm); minimum legal projectile weight 130 grains (8.45 grams).
Muzzle-loading rifle - minimum legal calibre 45" (11.45 mm); minimum legal projectile weight 230 grains (14.91 grams).
Maximum number of hunters per team: 10 hunters (including junior hunters and interstate or overseas visitors).

Maximum number of hounds per team: five hounds (including any juvenile hounds in training) when actively hunting.

Hound Hunting Test

After 3 May 2003, any hunter wishing to hunt Sambar Deer with the aid of scent-trailing hounds must have a Game Licence which authorises the use of hounds (see Section 2 for more details on the types of Game Licences available). This applies to interstate and international hunters as well. Prior to applying for a Game Licence to hunt with hounds, you need to pass the Hound Hunting Test. The test will only need to be successfully completed once and people who pass the test will receive a Certificate of Proficiency.

Hound hunting tests are conducted at selected DPI offices throughout the State. The cost of the test is $20.00, with a fast track service (24 hour turn-around) available for $55.00. If you wish to sit the Hound Hunting Test, please contact one of the following:

Ballarat DPI
Jim O'Brien (03) 5333 6635 Box Hill DPI
Andy MacDonald (03) 9296 4650

Geelong DPI
Stan Williams (03) 5226 4780
Gippsland (East) DPI
Reception (03) 5152 0400
(co-ordinating test centres at Bairnsdale)

Gippsland (West & South) DPI
Reception (03) 5172 2111
(co-ordinating test centres at Traralgon, Maffra, Leongatha, Warragul & Yarram)
Swan Hill DPI
Murray Rohde (03) 5036 4824
(co-ordinating test centres at Bendigo and Mildura)

Tatura DPI
Glenn Sharp
Tel: (03) 5833 5222
(coordinating test centres at Tatura and Alexandra) Wangaratta DPI
Leigh Murray
Tel: (03) 5723 8600
(coordinating test centres at Wangaratta and Wodonga)

To ensure all hound hunters have an understanding of their legal, safety and ethical requirements when hunting, the Department in conjunction with the Victorian Hunting Advisory Committee has developed a comprehensive booklet entitled "Knowing your responsibilities - a Guide to the Use of Scent-trailing Hounds in Victoria". The booklet is an important resource for all hound hunters and will assist hunters to pass the Hound Hunting Test. The Guide also includes important information on paying for and receiving a new or amended Game Licence to hound hunt, for those hunters who successfully complete the test.

A copy of the booklet will be sent to you when you apply to sit the test.

Permitted hound breeds

All scent-trailing hounds used to hunt Sambar Deer must have a non-aggressive temperament towards people and animals. Any hound that displays any signs of aggression must not be used for hunting. Scent-trailing hounds must not hold, drag-down or bite Sambar Deer or attack or bite any other wildlife. For the 2003 hound hunting season, hunters may use the following breeds of scent-trailing hound or their crosses to hunt Sambar Deer:

Scent-trailing hounds
Basset Hound
Foxhound
Bloodhound Beagle
Harrier

Hounds must be no more than 70 cm in height at the shoulder or be a pure bred Bloodhound.

Hunters should note that under the Wildlife (Game) Regulations 2001, the use of Foxhounds, Harriers and any cross-bred scent-trailing hound used for hunting Sambar Deer will be phased-out by 24 April 2004. After 24 April 2004, only pure Beagles and pure Bloodhounds will be permitted to scent-trail Sambar Deer.

Registration of hounds

For the 2003 hound hunting season, all hounds must be registered with an approved organisation. Hunters should contact the Australian Deer Association on (03) 5674 9291, Victorian Deer Association on (03) 5985 5333 or Victorian Hound Hunters Incorporated to have hounds registered.

Identification of hounds

For the 2003 hound hunting season, all scent-trailing hounds must wear a collar with a metal tag on which the name, address and/or telephone number of the hound owner must be recorded. Hounds must also be identified with a legible ear tattoo.

Hunters should note that all hounds over twelve months of age will need to be microchipped with either a Destron or Trovan microchip after 24 April 2004.

The use of tracking collars

Hounds may wear tracking collars while a hunt is occurring as long as the receiver is switched off and securely stored away (eg. at camp or locked in a parked vehicle). Anyone who uses a radio-tracking collar to locate a hound while a hunt is in progress is committing an offence and may be liable to prosecution. The improper and illegal use of radio tracking collars is considered to be highly unethical and is inconsistent with the concept of "fair chase".

Hunters may use receivers to locate lost hounds wearing radio tracking collars once a hunt is completed, providing all members of the hunting party are unarmed (ie. not carrying a firearm while searching for the hound).

Red Deer

Opportunities to hunt Red Deer in Victoria are limited. The only substantial Victorian population of Red Deer occurs in the Grampians National Park, where all forms of hunting are prohibited.

Some animals can be found on private property and State forest adjoining the Grampians National Park. Hunters wishing to hunt Red Deer on private property must first obtain permission from the landholder. Some areas of State forest near the Grampians are leased and may only be hunted with the permission of the lessee. Check with the DPI Horsham Office on (03) 5381 1255 before you go hunting in this area.

Open season: from first day in June (1 June) to last day in July (31 July), each year.

Bag limit: no limit.

Hunting method:

Centrefire rifle - minimum legal calibre .270" (6.85mm); minimum legal cartridge case length 2" (51mm); minimum legal projectile weight 130 grains (8.45 grams).

Muzzle-loading rifle - minimum legal calibre .45" (11.45 mm); minimum legal projectile weight 230 grains (14.91 grams).

A bow may be used (see Hunting deer with a bow).

Hog Deer

Hog Deer are one of the most regulated game species in Victoria and there are a number of rules and regulations that all Hog Deer hunters must be aware of before they go hunting.

In an effort to provide hunters with comprehensive information, the Game Management Unit has produced a booklet entitled "A Guide to Hunting Hog Deer in Victoria". The Guide includes information on the regulations which apply to hunting Hog Deer, the location and hours of operation of checking stations and provides information on the previous years' harvest.

The production of this booklet has been funded by money raised in the balloted Hog Deer hunts conducted at Blond Bay and Boole Poole and provided by the Blond Bay Hog Deer Advisory Group. This booklet is provided in the Hog Deer Tag Package. For hunters who do not wish to take out Tags but would like a copy of the Guide, limited numbers will be made available at DPI offices in Gippsland and the DPI Information Centre, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne 3002.

Open season: from first day in April (1 April) to last day in April (30 April), each year.

Bag limit: one male (stag) and one female (hind) may be taken during the open season.

Hunting method:

Centrefire rifle - minimum legal calibre .243" (6.17 mm); minimum legal cartridge case length 2" (51 mm); minimum legal projectile weight 85 grains (51 grams).

Muzzle-loading rifle - minimum legal calibre .45" (11.45 mm); minimum legal projectile weight 133 grains (6.82 grams).

A bow may be used (see "Hunting deer with a bow" - below).

Hog Deer Tags

Anyone wanting to hunt Hog Deer in Victoria must first obtain a set of Hog Deer Tags (one male and one female). Tags may be obtained from selected DPI Gippsland offices, the DPI Information Centre in Melbourne or the DPI office at Box Hill and must be collected in person. When collecting your Tags, make sure you have your current Game Licence with you.

The correct Tag must be attached to the hind leg of every Hog Deer, as soon as it is taken. Full details of the tagging system are included in the booklet "A Guide to Hunting Hog Deer in Victoria" which is made available to all hunters who take out tags. Hog Deer hunters are required to forward their Hog Deer Tag Return Forms and any unused tags to the Department, by Registered Post, within 28 days of the end of the season.

Hog Deer Checking Stations

All Hog Deer taken must be presented to a Checking station within 24 hours of harvest. Checking stations are located at Golden Beach, Bairnsdale and Leongatha. Further details can be found in the booklet "A Guide to Hunting Hog Deer in Victoria".

Balloted hunting opportunities for Hog Deer

Each year, the Blond Bay Hog Deer Advisory Group conducts a ballot to select hunters to hunt for free-ranging Hog Deer on Blond Bay State Game Reserve or on sections of the Boole Poole Peninsula. Entries open on 1 August each year, close on 30 November and the ballot is drawn in December.

To enter the ballot, complete the entry form which can be found in a number of hunting publications or write to the Advisory Group requesting to enter the ballot: include your name and address and a cheque or money order for $10, to cover costs. The address is BBHDAG, 7 Service Street, Bairnsdale 3875.

Para Park Cooperative Game Reserve conducts a guided, balloted hunt for four junior hunters each year on lands managed by the Cooperative. To be eligible, hunters must be between the ages of 15 - 17 years at the time of the April season, have not hunted under the program previously and must hold a current Firearms Licence and Game Licence for deer. Entries open on 1 September each year, close on 30 November and are drawn in December. Entry forms can be found in a number of hunting publications or write to Junior Hog Deer Ballot, 6 Avon Road, Avonsleigh 3782.

Hunting Hog Deer on State Game Reserves

Hog Deer may be hunted on the following State Game Reserves: Lake Coleman; Dowd Morass; Jack Smith Lake; Ewing Morass; Clydebank Morass; and Heart Morass.

Fallow Deer

Recent changes to the Wildlife (Game) Regulations have introduced a year-round open season for Fallow Deer on private land only, with no bag limit. Any holder of a current Game Licence that allows deer hunting will be permitted to hunt Fallow Deer on private land with the permission of the landowner. Fallow Deer must not be hunted on any public land in Victoria.

There are a number of Fallow Deer farms in Victoria and sometimes the deer escape from confinement. It is every hunter's responsibility to ensure that the deer they are hunting are not escaped stock.

Open season: all year on private property only.

Bag limit: no limit.

Hunting method:

Centrefire rifle - minimum legal calibre .243" (6.17 mm); minimum legal cartridge case length 2" (51 mm); minimum legal projectile weight 85 grains (51 grams).
Muzzle-loading rifle - minimum legal calibre .45" (11.45 mm); minimum legal projectile weight 133 grains (6.82 grams).
A bow may be used (see "Hunting deer with a bow" - below).

Hunting Deer with a Bow

Any bow used to hunt deer in Victoria must meet the following minimum specifications:

A long bow having a draw-weight of no less than 22.5 kilograms;

a recurved bow having a draw-weight of no less than 22.5 kilograms;

a compound bow having a peak-weight of no less than 22.5 kilograms;

a cross-bow having a draw-weight of no less than 36.6 kilograms.

All arrows must have a broad-head with a minimum weight of 25 grams and a minimum of two sharpened cutting blades.

Bow hunters must get much closer to their target than hunters who use a firearm and stalking skills must be combined with effective camoflague to closely approach deer. For a safe and sure shot, bow hunters should not shoot beyond a distance of 30 metres. As such, a bow hunter should practice judging distances and determine their own range of accuracy. It is critical for a bow hunter to be able to identify and hit the target's vital areas, generally the heart/lung zone (just behind the shoulder). Therefore, it is important for bow hunters to practice regularly to hone their skills.

For more information on the hunting of game or pest animals with a bow, please contact the Australian Bowhunters Association on (03) 5243 1277.

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John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
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