Feral deer in Tweed, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore, Ballina, Clarence Valley and Richmond Valley local government areas

Feral deer are in all states and territories of Australia, but they are in largest numbers in the eastern parts of Victoria and NSW, where they are spreading quickly. For example, in NSW, the 6 species of feral deer now inhabit 22% of the State, where their distribution has spread by 35% since 2016.

Our challenge is to stop the spread and prevent the establishment of feral deer in the Northern Rivers.

The purpose of this survey is to gather information about the presence, absence and distribution of feral deer in the Tweed, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore, Ballina, Clarence Valley and Richmond Valley regions.

Results from the survey will provide important data for the Northern Rivers Feral Deer Alert Program. The survey will close on 31 October 2023.

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* 1. What is your postcode?

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* 2. What are your connections to your local government area?

Live

Work

Study

Own business

Leisure

Visitor

Other (please specify)

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* 3. Do you think feral deer are a problem in your local government area?

Yes

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* 4. Did you know there is a feral deer problem in Australia?

Yes

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* 5. Do you know what impacts feral deer can cause?

Yes

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* 6. Do you think feral deer cause problems in other parts of NSW?

Yes

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* 7. If yes, do you agree that feral deer (choose as many as apply):

Impact farmers

Impact conservation areas

Are a biosecurity disease risk to livestock

Are a road hazard

Prompt illegal hunting/trespassing on land

All of the above

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* 8. Have you ever seen a feral deer in the Northern Rivers?

Yes

Unsure – it may have been a deer

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* 9. If yes, how many deer did you see?

5-10

More than 10

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* 10. Were these deer seen on your property?

Yes

Both

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* 11. If no or both, where do you tend to see them?

Along roads

Parks

State Forests

Reservoirs

Private properties

Farmland

Other (please specify)

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* 12. In what type of environment do you see feral deer? (Choose as many as apply)

Residential areas

Peri-urban areas

Rural farmland

Bushland areas

Everywhere

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* 13. Do you record these sightings using DeerScan? (www.feralscan.org.au – We strongly encourage you to do this)

Yes

Sometimes

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* 14. Have you seen signs of damage caused by deer?

Yes

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* 15. If yes, what type of damage have you seen?

Damaged plants (eaten or trampled)

Trails and erosion

Wallows (disturbance to natural and man-made water bodies)

Ring-barking

Other (please specify)

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* 16. Please indicate which of the following information you might be interested in learning about?

Deer identification and behaviour

Recognising feral deer damage

Monitoring techniques for feral deer presence and damage

Can I shoot deer on my property?

Where is recreational hunting allowed?

Collaborative approaches to deer control – working with your neighbours

Feral deer-proof fencing and other management options

What is the State Government and Northern Rivers' councils doing to help manage feral deer?

Feedback and discussion on feral deer issues and management

Northern Rivers Feral Deer Management Plan discussion