Government backs wild deer control pilots

The Government is funding three pilot projects to help reduce the impacts of wild deer on privately-owned production land, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard, and Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager.

“The Government is investing $750,000 to back catchment groups in Rangitīkei, Wairarapa, and North Canterbury to support farmers and growers to work together to measure and reduce wild deer numbers on privately-owned land,” Mr Hoggard says. 

“Wild deer are valued for recreation and as a food source, but growing numbers in parts of the country are causing problems for farmers, growers, and foresters.

“These pilot projects will test ways to measure deer populations and assess their impact on productive farmland, such as grazing on pasture, forestry, crops, and native vegetation.”

The information collected during the projects, which run until August 2027, will help inform future investment decisions.

“The pilots will help evaluate the effectiveness and cost of different control techniques and provide practical input into the development of co-ordinated management plans.

“Catchment groups are a good place to start because they involve landowners already working collaboratively on other issues,” Mr Hoggard says.

The pilots are part of a programme established by the Ministry for Primary Industries this year to help communities improve wild deer management.

Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager says wider community interests, including hunters and regional councils, will also be involved.

“Hunter-led conservation is an important part of managing wild deer in New Zealand and representatives of the hunting community have been included on an oversight group for the programme,” Mr Meager says. 

“I want to reassure local communities that, despite some reports, toxins such as brodifacoum will not be used to control deer as part of conservation.”

The catchment groups involved in the pilot projects are Hurunui District Landcare Group ($250,000), Wairarapa Catchment Collective ($250,000), and the Rangitīkei River Catchment Collective ($250,000). ...