Thursday, 14 November 2019

In reply to  Mr QUILTY (Northern Victoria) (16 October 2019)

Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Resources):

The Victorian Government recognises the social, environmental and economic value that recreational hunting provides to Victoria. We also recognise that recreational deer hunters value deer as a hunting resource, supporting a popular and expanding industry that contributes to the economy of regional Victoria.

Game hunting licence holders generated an economic impact of $439 million in Victoria in 2013 and we are currently undertaking an economic study to update these figures which will be released in 2020.

Under the Sustainable Hunting Action Plan 2016-20, we have delivered many actions which benefit recreational deer hunters including:

• Expanded the area available for deer hunting in the Alpine National Park by approximately 90,000 hectares and allowed all species of deer to be hunted

• Released the Draft Deer Management Strategy which proposed a partnership approach to deer management with many stakeholders including recreational hunters

• Released new hunting maps, including an online interactive mapping system on the More to Explore mobile App.

• Upgraded signs at State Game Reserves and Parks that permit deer hunting

• Developed a comprehensive new hunting manual

An evaluation of the current Sustainable Hunting Action Plan will be undertaken upon its completion in June 2020 and we have committed to develop and deliver another Sustainable Hunting Action Plan to follow the completion of the current Plan.

The new Sustainable Hunting Action Plan will be developed in consultation with hunters and other Key stakeholders.