How To Get Involved

Feral deer, known for roaming across both private and publicly managed properties, necessitate collective community action to address their impact. Individuals, property groups, entire communities and organisations can contribute to feral deer control projects:

Develop a Control Plan: Create a property-scale control plan using resources from PestSmart to aid in planning and preparing effective pest control measures.

Utilise the DeerScan App: Report deer sightings through the DeerScan App, where private groups can be formed to share information within the community.

Engage and Collaborate with Neighbouring Properties: Initiate conversation and form groups with neighbouring properties to understand their concerns, exchange ideas and share management strategies.

Establish Community Groups: Create community groups to raise awareness, make community-led decisions on effective control methods, and engage other stakeholders (private, industry, and local government) in collaborative efforts.
Whether dealing with a small or large feral deer population or addressing a new incursion, collaborative community efforts can make a significant impact.

Community Feral Deer Management (CFDM): Defined as the “active engagement of the community in managing local feral deer impacts,” CFDM encompasses activities like reporting deer sightings, vegetation monitoring, public education days, or implementing removal and non-removal management measures, such as erecting exclusion fences.

CFDM, when consistently applied, can notably reduce the impacts of feral deer. Communities play a crucial role in managing feral deer on private property, impacting population numbers and ensuring the sustainability of large-scale operations. The valuable data provided by communities, including sightings and control efforts, contributes to a comprehensive understanding of feral deer spread.