The Game Management Authority (GMA) recently released the Estimates of the 2023 deer harvest in Victoria report. Results show an estimated 137,090 deer were harvested in 2023 which is an 11 per cent increase on the estimated 123,400 deer harvested in 2022 and a 59 per cent increase on the long-term average of 86,400.

Sambar Deer were the most harvested species with an estimated 106,500 deer, of which 53 per cent were female. Fallow Deer were the second most harvested species, with 27,500 deer, of which 59 per cent were female.

The number of licenced recreational deer hunters in 2023 was 52,321, an increase of more than 3.6 per cent from 2022 (50,478). Of the 52,321 licensed deer hunters, 60 per cent actively hunted in 2023. On average, active deer hunters harvested an estimated 4.3 deer over 10.5 days.

The most popular hunting areas were around the towns of Mansfield, Licola, Omeo, Warragul and Dargo. The highest number of deer harvested were around the towns of Mansfield, Licola, Dargo, Omeo and Benalla.

GMA Research Principal, Dr Jason Flesch,said the report was based on information gathered from randomly selected licenced deer hunters who voluntarily participated in the phone surveys.

“Throughout 2023, approximately 2,400 licenced deer hunters were surveyed about their hunting activity including how many deer were harvested, where hunting occurred, hunting methods used and the species of deer harvested,” he said.

“This research helps build a stronger understanding of deer harvest trends and hunting activity in Victoria.

The report is produced annually by the GMA in collaboration with the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research.

For a full copy of the deer harvest report go online to gma.vic.gov.au.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 8 August 2024.