Karmactive Staff
The Victorian Government’s decision to amend the National Parks Act to allow deer hunting in the Errinundra and Snowy River national parks has sparked intense debate among conservationists, hunters, and former park staff.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos announced the policy change on July 4, 2025, which will open approximately 130,000 hectares (321,000 acres) of these parks to seasonal deer stalking. The amendment, expected to be passed later this year, will take effect in early 2026.
“This is a win for regional communities – expanding hunting means more visitors, more jobs, and stronger local economies,” said Dimopoulos. “By providing access to deer hunting in these national parks, we will reduce the impact of deer on our native ecosystems.”
The government points to significant economic benefits from recreational hunting. Between 2013 and 2019, deer hunting contributed $201 million to Victoria’s economy and supported over 3,100 jobs, mostly in regional areas. In 2023 alone, recreational hunters harvested 137,000 deer across 332,000 hunting days.
Hunting organizations have celebrated the decision. “This is a fantastic decision by the Allan Labor Government and is welcomed by over 45,000 licensed recreational deer hunters,” said Sean Kilkenny, Advocacy Lead for the Australian Deer Association. “Public land access is cherished.”
However, conservation groups and former park managers have strongly condemned the move. The Victorian National Parks Association, Invasive Species Council, and Environment East Gippsland claim the decision prioritizes hunters over other park visitors and undermines the purpose of national parks.
Similar Posts
“People visit national parks to walk, camp, birdwatch and immerse themselves in nature – not share the bush with amateur shooters with high-powered weapons,” said Matt Ruchel, Victorian National Parks Association Executive Director.
Critics highlight that the government’s own 2021 Statewide Deer Control Strategy states that “recreational hunting on its own is not an effective means of controlling deer numbers.” The National Feral Deer Action Plan similarly notes that recreational hunting “has been shown to have little impact on population growth.”
Felicity Brooke, President of the Victorian Protected Areas Council, called the decision “an attack on the very values of these precious areas” and urged the government to reconsider. “Feral deer control is vital, but it needs to be carefully planned, managed and timed,” she said.
Conservation experts argue that Victoria’s feral deer population has exploded to between 200,000 and 1 million animals, covering 40% of the state. These deer cause substantial damage to native vegetation, degrade water quality, and pose threats to agriculture and road safety. In fact, sambar deer were listed as a potentially threatening process to native vegetation under Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act back in 2007.
Environmental groups are calling for professional, targeted control programs instead of recreational hunting. They advocate for a combination of professional control, supervised accredited hunters, and thermal-assisted aerial programs that can reduce deer populations faster than they reproduce.
The decision has also raised concerns about visitor safety and park management. With national parks receiving 50 million visits annually – three times more than state forests – critics question whether Parks Victoria has sufficient resources to monitor hunters and ensure visitor safety.
Anyone wishing to hunt deer in Victoria must hold a current Victorian Game Licence issued by the Game Management Authority. When the new policy takes effect, most public land in eastern Victoria will be available for recreational deer hunting.
