Farm Assist Program funding for shooters to set sights on deer

A matchmaking service linking recreational hunters and property owners has been given state government funding.

The government has provided $30,000 to the Farmer Assist Program run by the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia.

The program aims to have shooters help landowners manage the impacts of deer on crops, property and natural values. 

“We know that we need to do more to tackle deer numbers in this state, and this is one of the many steps our government is taking to deliver on that,” Primary Industries Minister Gavin Pearce said. “This program is not a silver bullet – but it is sensible, low-cost, and it works.

“Backing the Farmer Assist Program will give our hunters and landholders the tools they need to work together and mitigate the impacts of deer.”

Mr Pearce said that Tasmanian primary producers were having a tough time recently with rising fuel and fertiliser costs, amid other pressures.

“We can’t pretend Tasmania is insulated from what’s happening globally, but we can step up to back our farmers when they need it most,” he said.

“Giving the Farmer Assist Program a solid foothold in Tasmania will be game-changing for our primary producers who’ve been wearing the burden of deer impacts on their land.”

TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said its members told the organisation that browsing wildlife and feral species, such as deer, were a concern.

“Farmers are telling us loud and clear that exploding deer populations are now one of the biggest threats to productivity, profitability and land management across Tasmania,” Mr Calman said.

“While no single solution will fix the issue in isolation, the Farmer Assist program is an important new tool in the toolbox and a positive step forward.”