THE usual sounds of nature and an air of tranquility they help produce at Devilbend Reserve, Moorooduc, are set to be shattered by gunfire at any time from next month, May. But the resident kangaroos should have nothing to fear – except the noise – as Parks Victoria has enlisted the help of deer hunters to “reduce” the number of deer in the reserve.
Signs posted by Parks in the reserve say deer will be hunted at Devilbend over 16 weeks. The signs say, “effective control [of deer] requires the implementation of coordinated ground shooting operations”. The signs include the logos of Parks Victoria, the Sporting Shooters of Australia (Victoria) and Australian Deer Association, a not-for-profit that bills itself as “the leading advocates for appropriate, evidence-based management of wild deer”. The association was formed in 1969 “to be advocates for deer herds and deer hunting”.
Park closures will take place during the deer hunt and more information is available by phoning 13 19 63.
First published in the Mornington News – 16th April 2024
