Farmed deer

PIRSA oversees farmed deer identification and movement in South Australia. We also help landowners manage feral deer.

Keeping farmed deer

You can keep, sell and move farmed deer if they are tagged and listed on your property identification code (PIC). On Kangaroo Island, you also need a permit from the Landscape Board.

There are controls on using restricted animal material as feed, to keep your deer safe.

Farmed deer must not be released, including deer kept:

  • as pets
  • on hobby farms
  • at wildlife parks, petting farms or zoos, or other non-commercial operations
  • in commercial operations for meat or velvet production
  • for hunting purposes.

Custom boundary fencing must be constructed and maintained at deer farms to prevent deer escaping.

Fencing rules

Fences and gates for deer farms that were first registered with PIRSA after February 2019, are required to meet set specifications.

Fencing can only be extended, replaced or altered in accordance with these standards. They must:

  1. be at least 1.9 metres in height
  2. be constructed using pre-fabricated deer mesh, which is secured to poles that are a maximum of 8 metres apart
  3. have a bottom wire (high tensile, either barbed or plain) that:
    • runs through staples on the posts
    • can be tightened as needed
    • is attached to the deer mesh no more than 50 millimetres above ground
  4. have a strainer wire at the top of the fence, which is attached to the pre-fabricated deer mesh and posts
  5. be maintained (including gates) in a state of good repair, and:
    • free from any gaps, holes or damage
    • kept free from fallen trees or branches.

At least every 2 years, staff from your Landscape Board will contact you to inspect the deer fence.

Ear-tagging

Deer over 12 months of age must carry a permanent identification ear tag, which provides limited protection from culling if they escape. Learn about safe and effective deer ear tagging.

Escaped deer

Deer keepers who notice a deer has escaped, must:

  1. repair damage to fences
  2. report the escape to the regional Landscape Board, or Green Adelaide.

We recommend that you also notify neighbouring landowners immediately. Deer are considered feral from the 7th day after escaping a farm and must be destroyed if they are not recovered by the deer keeper in time.

Learn more about managing feral deer, including details for commercial harvesters.

Removing farmed deer

Releasing domestic deer is illegal and can result in a 2-year prison sentence or maximum penalty of $125,000. Both penalties can be applied 'per animal' that is released.

Consider these options to remove domestic deer from your farm:

  • sell deer to another deer farmer
  • contact the commercial deer industry for advice and support
  • cull the deer, engage a recreational shooter, or hire a commercial contractor.

If all deer are removed from your farm, you must update your PIC registration.

Moving deer

All farmed deer being moved or sold within South Australia must have a permanent ear tag, regardless of their age.

If moving deer to South Australia from interstate, they must also have a Health Certificate (PDF 137.6 KB or DOC 74.0 KB).

The Chief Inspector of Stock approves deer movements before entering South Australia. This applies to deer from properties with a status of infected, suspected, or restricted for Ovine Johne’s disease or Bovine Johne’s diseases.

More information

Emergency Animal Disease Hotline

Suspected disease or pests in livestock, poultry or aquatic animals must be reported immediately.

Call us to help stop the spread of animal illness, even if you are unsure of the disease.

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Freecall 1800 675 888
Page last reviewed: 04 Jul 2023

 


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