Deer ear tagging

Ear tagging helps deer keepers and landowners to tell the difference between farmed deer and feral deer.

Visible tags give deer up to 7 days protection from being culled, which allows the deer keeper time to recover the deer. This applies if deer escape onto neighbouring property and the deer keeper or Landscape Board are notified.

Tags also assist with managing on-farm practices, such as genetics, vaccinations and breeding.

Ear tag requirements

Farmed deer over 12 months of age must have a permanent ear tag which displays an identification number linked to the deer keeper’s PIC. Ear tags should be:

• appropriate for the species of deer
• made of high-quality materials, so they do not rip the ear
• clearly visible from a distance.

Tags with identification codes can be bought from rural merchandise stores.

Under the Livestock Regulations 2013, it is an offence to move or sell deer not fitted with an ear tag bearing the property identification code of the land from which they are moved.

Owners of domestic deer may be exempt from tagging their deer over 12 months of age. Learn about the risk assessment process and apply for an exemption.

Safe and effective tagging

Deer should be tagged within a week of birth, when they can be easily handled.

Tagging older deer is best done by experienced personnel, using suitable handling facilities. It can occur:

• outside of the rut, from:
  • February to May for fallow deer
  • February to July for red deer
• at the same time as:
  • antler removal, from October to November and January to February
  • velvet harvest
  • health treatments
• under sedation, administered by dart gun or hand injection.
• by your local vet – discuss options and whether a qualified person can administer anaesthetic with the direction of a veterinary surgeon.

Best practice deer handling

It is important to keep deer calm, be observant, and respect their behaviour to avoid injury. Deer should be handled quickly and quietly, either early or late in the day when they are more relaxed. Avoid handling deer in extreme weather.

Follow the below steps for ear tagging.

1. Allow deer to become familiar with yards before using the area for tagging.
2. Separate herds into smaller groups in a holding pen.
3. Either use:
   • portable fencing to create temporary yards or funnel deer through a curved laneway into holding facilities
   • a deer crush.
4. Tag deer in the middle of the ear.

We recommend engaging other deer keepers, contractors, or industry specialists for assistance. Commercial deer farms routinely tag deer and may advise on handling facilities or offer on-ground support.