The Land says: Trigger warning for state’s deer denialists

But perhaps more worrying than blanket ignorance of a pest animal threat is calculated, cultivated denial.

Which is exactly what we are seeing from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, in the face of the most critical pest animal issue the state is dealing with.

Feral deer are a huge – and increasing – problem.

We hear it from landowners across the state.

We hear it from experts whose opinions are grounded in science-based research.

People’s businesses are being run down.

The environment is suffering.

Farmers want action.

Local government wants action.

Federal government wants action.

But Shooters MPs say the overwhelming scientific and anecdotal evidence on deer is wrong?

Experts’ findings are dismissed as uninformed guesses, and the suggestion that hunting is not an effective control measure is sold as a malicious mistruth. 

Even if this was the case, all we’ve seen in the way of a solution from the Shooters MPs are suggestions to open up more land for shooting.  

Hunting is no doubt a popular pursuit in NSW and one where the majority of particpants follow the rules. 

But it is so bloody galling that a party with ‘farmer’ in its title seems more interested in preserving deer numbers and opening up more land for hunting than it is responding to concerns from landholders.

Imagine telling a farmer devastated by rampant deer numbers that their livelihood is less important than the vibrancy of your sport?

Sure, get some hunters in to clear up the deer problem for you. But not every landholder wants shooters on their property. And some are wary of even being identified so not to be targeted by illegal trespassers. 

Ultimately government – particularly Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair – has to step up and act if there is going to be a co-ordinated, well-planned management program that helps farmers tackle the increasingly destructive feral animal.

Why it has not happened already beggars belief.