We’re simplifying deer hunting licence and permits for landowners.
These changes follow 836 submissions to the 2025 Tasmanian Deer Management Review. Feedback supported simpler rules and more access to deer to help control numbers and reduce their impact on the environment and agricultural land.
Under the revised system, landowners across the state will be able to operate under a simplified permit structure. A single permit will now allow the culling of both male and female deer throughout the year, replacing a more complex framework that previously involved multiple approvals. These permits will remain valid for five years and can be used to respond to both economic and environmental impacts.
Hunting regulations have also been adjusted. In Zone 1, quotas and tagging requirements will now apply only to male deer. Hunters in this zone will be permitted to take two stags during the five-week male season, up from the previous limit of one. The existing eight-month season for antlerless deer remains unchanged.
In Zones 2 and 3, further flexibility has been introduced. Hunters will be able to take both male and female deer year-round, with no bag limits or tagging requirements. Requirements to label deer parts when removing them from a property have also been removed.
Access to public land for hunting has expanded, with ten additional areas opened. This brings the total area available for deer hunting on reserves and Crown land to more than 61,000 hectares. A self-service booking system is expected to be introduced to streamline access to these locations.
In addition, restrictions on the commercial use of wild-shot deer are being lifted following a trial period. This will allow for broader use of harvested deer, including for human consumption, value-added products and pet food, reflecting feedback supporting efforts to reduce waste.
Plans for the next statewide deer management strategy have also been brought forward, with further consultation expected as part of its development. The upcoming plan is anticipated to consider longer-term approaches to maintaining deer populations at sustainable levels.