IF you don’t like the idea of ‘Bambi’ grazing on your front lawn, don’t expect too much help from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council because it is not their responsiblity.
Feral deer are an ongoing problem in some areas, with many home owners furious at the havoc the deers wreak on their unfenced front lawns, with yet another home owner from the Crestwood subdivision just north of Port Macquarie contacting the Independent to complain after a hibiscus bush was decimated overnight. Coincidentally, a dead deer on the side of a road in Lake Cathie was also brought to the newspaper’s attention a few weeks ago.
However, a council media officer said the council only had responsibility for controlling deer numbers on council-owned land and carried out culling on a regular basis.
“We have also been experiencing problems with deer jumping the fence at the crematorium and devouring ornamental shrubs and flowers on the graves,” she said.
“The council holds a seat on the Mid North Coast Feral Deer Working Group and is active in working with other agencies to assist in control programs.
“Council officers have undertaken control on sites such as the crematorium and the airport.
“In addition, the council works with the local hunting community, whereby suitably licensed and accredited hunters are provided access to council-owned land to undertake deer control in tightly regulated programs. The recreational hunters volunteer their time and expertise to assist in deer control.”
