Managing deer across Gippsland

WE can’t eradicate deer from Gippsland but we can work together to control them.
That’s the theme of the Managing Deer Across a Shared Landscape community forum which is being held on March 26, to coincide with the release of the East Victoria Deer Control Plan.
The free event, which is being hosted by South Gippsland Landcare Network and the Victorian Deer Control Community Network, will bring together a wide range of speakers with strategic and practical experience in managing deer in rural and peri-urban landscapes. They include representatives from the Invasive Species Council (ISC), Vertebrate Pest Management Association of Australia, Parks Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), as well as recreational hunters and a commercial harvester. 
South Gippsland landholder, Cheryl Batagol, will also share her experience of building and being part of a community network to control deer in and around Walkerville and Tarwin Lower. 
She will describe how the Cape Liptrap Community Deer Control Group works with recreational hunters and a commercial harvester to manage deer on privately-owned land and is engaging with Parks Victoria to coordinate control in the nearby coastal park.
Other topics to be covered at the forum include the legal status of deer, the role of local government and catchment management authorities in community deer control, deer behaviour and new and emerging control tools. 
Importantly, there will be two sessions providing guidance on developing productive relationships with recreational hunters and, if appropriate, commercial harvesters. 
There will also be plenty of opportunities for networking including a workshop discussion at the end of the day.
The community deer forum is generously supported by the South Gippsland Shire Council and DEECA. 
Numbers are limited so please register as soon as possible by going to www.eventbrite.com.au/e/south-gippsland-deer-forum-tickets-548169157707. 
For more information contact Jenny O’Sullivan on 0419 153 377 or leapjos@gmail.com or Jillian Staton at jillian@sgln.net.au.