GPS tracking program to improve feral deer management
North Coast Local Land Services and Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) are partnering to launch a new GPS collaring program aimed at improving the management of feral deer across the region. The program will be carried out by staff from the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions and North Coast Local Land Services.
Feral deer continue to pose increasing environmental, agricultural and public safety impacts across the Hastings area. Over the past five years, North Coast Local Land Services has been implementing the Hastings Feral Deer Management Plan through coordinated control programs across public and private land.
The new GPS tracking initiative will help agencies better understand deer movement patterns, habitat use and locate areas of high deer activity. This information will support evidence-based planning and more effective long-term management across the region.
“This program will give us valuable information about how feral deer move through the landscape and where activity is highest,” North Coast Local Land Services General Manager Alison Bowman said.
“That data will help guide targeted and coordinated management across both public and private land.”
The program will involve the placement of clover traps in selected locations where feral deer activity is known to be high. Captured animals will be safely sedated by trained personnel, fitted with purpose-designed GPS collars and then released.
The collars will transmit regular location data, enabling land management agencies to analyse deer behaviour, home range characteristics and how deer move through the landscape.
“Feral deer are an increasing concern for our community, impacting native vegetation, farmland and road safety,” Port Macquarie-Hastings Council General Manager Robert Fish said.
“Working with North Coast Local Land Services on this GPS tracking program will help us better understand where deer are moving and guide more effective management across the region.”
Authorities are reminding the community not to approach trapping equipment or collared animals. All activities are undertaken by trained staff in accordance with strict animal welfare, safety and regulatory requirements.
Residents can assist with monitoring efforts by reporting feral deer sightings through the FeralScan DeerScan app.
Reports from the community provide valuable information that supports coordinated management across public land, private property and urban fringe areas. More information and deer sightings can be submitted at FeralScan DeerScan.
Find out more information about the Tracking feral deer with GPS collar technology project.
Media Contact: For more information, please contact Michelle Gapes, Regional Communications Advisor, North Coast/Hunter via email michelle.gapes@lls.nsw.gov.au or 0467 291 890