WATERVALLEY DEER CONTROL PROGRAM
The LANDSCAPE SOUTH AUSTRALIA ACT 2019 is the key legislation for integrated management of South Australia's land, water, pests, and biodiversity. The Act provides for the prevention or control of impacts caused by declared species of animals (including deer) and plants that may have an adverse effect on the environment, primary production or the community.
PART 9 of the Act refers to the Control of animals and plants
Section 192—Owner of land to take action to destroy or control animals or plants.
(1) Subject to this section, an owner of land within a declared area for a class of animals or plants to which this subsection applies must destroy all animals or plants of that class on that land.
(2) Subject to this section, an owner of land within a declared area for a class of animals or plants to which this subsection applies must control and keep controlled all animals or plants of that class on that land.
(3) An owner of land within a declared area for a class of animals or plants to which this subsection applies must—
(a) take any measures prescribed by the regulations or specified by a relevant authority in the prescribed manner for the control of all animals or plants of that class that are, or may be, on that land.
Refer to the current FERAL DEER ERADICATION PROGRAM that is being conducted by the Limestone Coast Landscape SA and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA).
The South East Branch of ADA has been granted exclusive access to undertake deer control operations on the Brinkworth properties listed below:
· Park Hill
· Cattle Station Creek (Jacks Hut)
· Tilley Swamp
· Ravenswood
· Mount Scott
HUNTING REQUIREMENTS
All general hunting rules and conditions in the 2026 Hunters Handbook apply to these properties unless specified otherwise below:
1. Hunting commences on 7th February 2026 and closes on 11th October 2026.
2. Hunters are required to shoot deer of any species that is sighted provided a safe and ethical shot can be taken.
3. Females are the primary target in a group of deer, followed by fawns/calves and lastly males.
4. Only take ethical shots which can be affected by many factors including:
o personal skill and experience
o rifle calibre and projectile type
o range and wind
o type of rest available (if any)
o likely deer behaviour after the first shot
o location and any cover
5. There is no limit to the number of deer that can be shot on any day.
6. Copper projectiles are preferred where possible.
7. Hunting is not permitted within 500 metres of a residence or 200 metres of any ADA hut or camp.
DEER RECOVERY
8. The carcass of any deer shot on open farmland must be recovered on foot or with a cart, except where the use of vehicles is permitted.
9. The carcass of any deer that is shot in the bush or near remnant vegetation can be recovered or simply dismembered and scattered around the location provided it is greater than 100 metres from any access track, fence line, troughs or watercourse.
DATA COLLECTION
Reporting is required to demonstrate that ADA is working with responsible landowners and managers.
10. All deer that are shot must be photographed and the coordinates recorded in the field. This can be done using your phone or a camera and a GPS.
a. A suitable side-on photograph must be taken of every dead deer but must not include people, firearms or showing major wounds.
b. All photographs and site coordinates must be submitted with your hunting report via DMSA.
c. Preferably install and use the Context Cam application on an Apple iPhone or Time Mark on an Android phone (both apps will stamp the date and coordinates on the photo).
d. If you chose to use a handheld camera and a GPS, then a second close-up photo must be taken of the coordinates with the GPS sitting on the deer’s body.
e. All data will be collated by the DMSA Coordinator and forwarded to the Watervalley office monthly.
11. Trail cameras or live deer photos are not permitted on any property and definitely no social media posts regarding deer control operations.
12. Failure to provide photos will result in a penalty of a 1 month suspension for hunting privileges' in the first instance.
13. Updated maps for the above properties are available in DMSA.