Concerns Raised Over Government’s Deer Management Direction

Media Release – Carlo Di Falco, Member for Lyons, 2 June 2026

Concerns Raised Over Government’s Deer Management Direction

Member for Lyons Carlo Di Falco has welcomed long overdue reductions in red tape for deer hunters but says the Government’s latest reforms raise serious concerns about animal welfare, landowner rights, and the future of deer hunting in Tasmania.

Mr Di Falco said hunters and farmers had been calling for practical reforms for years and deserved credit for pushing the Government to act.

“Simplifying permits and removing unnecessary bureaucracy is a positive step.”

“Hunters have been frustrated by a system that often made it harder to manage deer while offering little benefit for conservation or population control.”

“Those changes are welcome, but that does not mean we should simply accept every other proposal without scrutiny.”

Mr Di Falco said he strongly opposed the decision to allow the harvesting of does throughout the entire year.

“Population management is important, but it must be balanced with animal welfare.”

“There are legitimate concerns about dependent young being left behind and those concerns should not be dismissed.”

“We can control deer numbers without abandoning the ethical hunting standards that Tasmanian hunters pride themselves on.”

Mr Di Falco also raised concerns about changes affecting Zone 2 and the reduced ability for landowners to manage herds according to local conditions.

“Farmers and landowners live with the impacts of deer every day.”

“They understand herd numbers, seasonal conditions and the pressures on their properties.”

“The last thing we should be doing is taking decision making away from the people on the ground and replacing it with a one size fits all approach.”

Mr Di Falco said he was particularly concerned by the broader direction of the Government’s deer policy and any suggestion that deer could eventually be reclassified.

“I do not support the reclassification of deer.”

“There is a significant difference between managing deer populations and fundamentally changing the status of deer in Tasmania.”

“What concerns many hunters is that some of these changes appear to be part of a gradual shift towards treating deer solely as a pest species.”

“Once that door is opened, it becomes much easier for future governments to further restrict hunting opportunities and diminish the value of deer as a game species.”

Mr Di Falco said public land hunting opportunities and access to Sustainable Timber Tasmania land must remain a central part of Tasmania’s deer management framework.

“Hunters make an enormous contribution to deer management on public land and Sustainable Timber Tasmania properties.”

“Any future reforms must strengthen, not weaken, hunting opportunities on those lands.”

“If deer are increasingly viewed only as a pest to be removed, there is a real risk that the interests of recreational hunters will be pushed aside.”

“That would be a mistake both from a management perspective and for the thousands of Tasmanians who participate in hunting responsibly every year.”

Mr Di Falco said he would be closely involved in the upcoming consultation process and encouraged hunters, landowners, and regional communities to make their voices heard.

“The Government must listen to the people who are actually managing deer populations and spending time in the bush.”

“I will be participating in the consultation process and advocating strongly for a balanced outcome.”

“We need less red tape, more practical management, continued access to public land and STT properties, respect for landowners’ rights and a commitment that deer will remain recognised as an important game species in Tasmania.”

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