Deer oh dear

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Deer oh dear

Aroadside culling operation targetting feral deer in the Limestone Coast has triggered some concerns.


SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros raised the matter in the Legislative Council on Tuesday, questioning Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven about safety fears regarding the ground shooting procedure.


The Limestone Coast Landscape Board (LCLB) has scheduled ground shooting operations from February 1 to June 30 on over 30 selected roadsides within the Kingston area for approximately 10 days of every month to help combat the estimated 24,000 feral deer in the Limestone Coast.


Minister Scriven told the Legislative Council the matter was outside of her portfolios, and would refer it to Environment Minister Susan Close.


“First of all, given that it’s under the auspices of the landscape boards that is obviously under the scope of the minister in the other place, the Minister for the Environment and so in regards to these specific questions I will refer those to her and bring back a response to this place,” Minister Scriven said.


“However, in general I can speak about the eradication program for feral deer and point out that it works in accordance with the national code of practice and standard operating procedures for the effective and humane control of feral and wild deer, it uses a number of different mechanisms,” Minister Scriven said.


A state government spokesperson told The SE Voice there was a significant consultation involved with the local community.


“The Limestone Coast Landscape Board met with the CEO of Kingston District Council, consulted SAPOL to discuss rules associated with shooting on roadsides where a Ground Shooting Operations Plan (GSOP) was prepared and signed by both parties 24 November 2024 and letters were sent to neighbouring properties prior to Christmas to advise of the program,” the spokesperson said.


“Following calls from landholders in the Kingston District Council area requesting more information, an additional letter was sent to landholders in the priority areas in mid-January to provide further information about the ground shooting operation.


“The start of the operation was delayed by 10 days until February 1, 2025 to ensure all landholders had the opportunity to receive the additional information and to request a text message notification 72 hours prior to the start of any 10-day period near their property if they so wished.


“Shooting is undertaken at night when traffic is very low to non-existent.


“Ground shooting operations will occur between 5pm (sundown) and 4am (sunup).


“Signage is being placed on roadsides around the operational area to alert anyone entering the area the operation in progress and include a contact number.”


The spokesperson said that SAPOL is made aware of all feral deer culling operations undertaken by landscape boards.


“Rifles are fitted with suppressors and contractors are required to advise SAPOL when they are being used,” the spokesperson said.


“The contractor advised local SAPOL 1 February that he was commencing operations.


“The Limestone Coast Landscape Board sent an email to Mount Gambier HQ 1 February for distribution to all SAPOL officers in the upper Limestone Coast as per the Feral Deer Eradication Program’s established arrangements.


“The contractor follows the National Standard Operating Procedure: Ground Shooting for Feral and Wild Deer and Ground Shooting Operations Plan approved by LCLB and Kingston District Council.


“Firearms and ammunition associated with the shooting operation are handled, stored, transported and used in accordance with the Firearms Act (2015) and Firearms regulations (2017).


“This roadside culling of feral deer in accordance with legislation and approved procedures is not a criminal activity.


“The contractor uses a georeferenced operational map of the target area, allowing the contractor to view live his exact location, buffer zones, dwellings and hazards, and plan accordingly at daily briefings as well as discuss areas with relevant land managers as required.


“A buffer or no shoot zones were identified along with any hazards. A 500m buffer is established around houses and residential areas to prevent residents from being disturbed by firearm discharge late at night.”


Limestone Coast Landscape Board general manager Steve Bourne said the board assesses and mitigates risks in a safe operating procedure and contractor’s risk assessment and function in accordance with Safe Work Practices.


“The Limestone Coast Landscape Board are fulfilling its responsibilities under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019 and in line with the South Australian Feral Deer Eradication Program,” Mr Bourne said.


“Feral deer move across the landscape which includes roadsides. The Limestone Coast Landscape Board identified a concentration of feral deer on roadsides in a single council area.


“Landholders adjacent to roadside shoot locations are notified of ground shooting operations 72 hours prior to the contractor being in the area, on provision of their mobile number.


“The contractor will be using a .308 rifle with suppressor and thermal technology.


“Carcass retrieval is possible in open country with ease of access. It is not suitable to retrieve carcasses in heavy vegetation.”

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