Impacts of Recreational Hunting on an Introduced Population of Fallow Deer (Dama dama) in Tasmania, Australia

• DOI: 10.1111/emr.70001
• Publication Date: 2025-02-07T12:10:46Z
• Authors: Sebastien Comte; Andrew J. Bengsen; Thomas Botterill‐...; Chris Brausch; Sally L. Bryant; Catherine R. Dickson; Rowena Hamer; David G. Hamilton; James Seaman; Pip Taylor; David M. Forsyth
• Keywords: Poaching

ABSTRACT Non‐native deer populations are increasing in many parts of the world. Recreational hunting has commonly been advocated as a method for reducing population densities on private land, but there have few robust evaluations its effectiveness. We quantified impacts recreational non‐native fallow ( Dama dama ) conservation reserve Tasmania, Australia. used grid 64 motion‐sensitive cameras to estimate seasonal density three consecutive years. hunters recorded their effort (date and duration hunts), seen, killed, GPS record where they hunted. Throughout three‐year period, remained between 3.95 4.96 per km 2 , well above mean 2.7 estimated Tasmania. The 28 killed total 128 (33 males, 87 females 8 unknown) during 306 hunts. annual harvest comprised 21%–26% (28%–38% female population). During four‐week ‘buck’ season (March), exhibited more selective behaviour characterised by frequent hunts that targeted mostly antlered males with low catch unit (0.03 hour). In contrast, 8‐month antlerless (March–November) was opportunistic fewer higher (0.11 Our results show current regime is not population. If landowners decide rely reduce properties, deer, especially females, need be harvested annually. Changes regulations increase number should considered parallel greater incentives females. Other control methods, such helicopter‐based shooting professional ground‐based shooting, likely provide faster reductions than while non‐lethal management local asset protection.