Tasmania Minister for Primary Industries and Water Guy Barnett

Opening Of The 2019 Tasmanian Deer Hunting Season

Victor P Taffa

Opening of the 2019 Tasmanian deer hunting season this weekend will provide many Tasmanian hunters and shooters the opportunity to pursue an important tradition and way of life.

Alongside this, recreational hunters can help manage wild fallow deer populations on both private and public land, Minister for Primary Industries and Water Guy Barnett said.

2019 deer game season is conducted in 2 parts:

• Adult male (stag) component,
• Antlerless (doe) component.

Season Durations:

• Stag season opens on 23 February and runs until 31 March 2019,
• Antlerless season is conducted from 9-31 March 2019, and 11 May-30 June 2019.

This season, the Hodgman Government made available 3 additional areas of reserved land and 2 areas of Hydro Tasmania land for recreational deer hunting during the 2019 deer hunting season.

These additional areas have been rigorously assessed with the determination that recreational hunting would not compromise public safety or impact on natural and cultural values for which the land is managed.

Following recent bushfires, 2 of the 3 existing areas available for recreational hunting (Top Marshes and Five Mile Pinnacles Conservation areas) are closed until further notice to ensure hunter safety is not compromised by falling trees or other hazards.

Deer hunters are also reminded that fire rehabilitation crews will be working in areas affected by the Pine Tier Fire on the Central Plateau over the coming weeks.

“With a higher than usual number of people and vehicles in these areas, hunters are asked to be extra vigilant and careful.” Minister Barnett said.