The Government has changed the rules and regulations to make it easier for farmers and hunters to take more wild fallow deer. The new framework simplifies and standardises deer management across Tasmania, making rules clearer and more consistent state-wide.
There will be a progressive implementation of these updated arrangement starting from June 2026.
Simpler Permit System for Landholders to Cull Deer - Greater Flexibility to Control Deer Numbers - Removal of Unnecessary Restrictions - Monitoring
You are a landholder:
A Permit is required to take all classes of deer, state-wide, 365 days a year, with no quota/bag limits or tagging requirements.
Either:
Property Protection Permit (PPP) - if deer are causing an economic impact; or
Special Purposes Wildlife Permit (SPWP) – if deer are impacting on natural values identified under legislation and/or a voluntary conservation agreement, and you have or are preparing a Property Based Wildlife Management Plan.
Except for: for properties in Deer Management Zone 1 (DMZ1) adult males ‘stags’ and immature males ‘spikies’ are required to be tagged when shot and quota/bag limits apply. Antlers can be removed from the property intact
All Permits valid for up to 5 years.
A PPP or SPWP authorises shooting at night with the aid of a spotlight, or other detection devices, and shooting from a vehicle.
Annual take returns continue to be required for all deer taken under permits to support population monitoring.
A landholder may issue an Agent's copy of their permit to other persons taking deer. Persons must hold a deer hunting licence if they intend to remove the deer from the property.
Please note:
Antlerless deer can be taken year-round under either permit type, including during the fawning period. Hunters must make reasonable efforts to locate and humanely dispatch any dependent young. Updated Animal Welfare Guidelines will support these practices.
Previous permit conditions applying to male deer in DMZ1 no longer apply:
Improved Arrangements for Recreational Deer Hunting Licences
You are a deer hunter with a recreational licence, on public or private land, and are not acting as an agent under a landholder’s Permit:
Hunting in DMZ 1 (traditional Deer range)
A 5-week adult male ‘stag’ deer season applies (subject to annual date confirmation).
Two stag tags issued (instead of one) - mature male deer are required to be tagged when shot.
An 8-month antlerless deer season applies (subject to annual date confirmation).
No bag limit or tag requirement for antlerless deer.
Note: Female deer cannot be taken during the fawning period.
Hunting in DMZ 2 or DMZ3
An open season on all deer classes applies 365 days a year.
No bag limits.
No tagging requirements.
Female deer can be taken year-round, including during the fawning period. Hunters must make reasonable efforts to locate and humanely dispatch any dependent young.
Updated Animal Welfare Guidelines will support these practices.
General – applies to all zones when hunting under licence
A hunting licence is required for recreational hunters to take deer (fees apply)
Annual take returns continue to be required for all deer taken under licence to support population monitoring.
There is no longer any requirement to label deer parts when removing them from a property.
Hunting at night with the aid of a spotlight, or other detection device, and shooting from a vehicle is prohibited.
To access 19 hunting areas on crown land and reserves, authorisations and booking hunting times an online booking system will be soon made available.
Dogs cannot be used to aid deer hunting.