Farmers and conservationists are joining forces to end the decades-old game species declaration and remove restrictions that prevent effective control of the damaging feral species.

The CWA of NSW, RSPCA, the Greens, dozens of local councils, farmer and conservation groups and the federal government’s Environment Department want the NSW government to declare deer a pest to help increase control measures.

Deer are most prevalent along the south and north coasts and tablelands. They compete with stock for pasture, with the commission reporting costs up to $20,000 a year for individual landholders.

The government is sitting on the final report and is expected to make a determination on the issue in coming weeks.

Deer are the biggest feral threat to NSW said Invasive Species Council chief executive Andrew Cox.

“We have a chance for government to act now to keep many areas of the state deer-free. But its important they act now.”

Mr Cox reiterated the Commission’s draft report which said deer numbers are increasing and spreading rapidly and a pest declaration would free-up agencies like Local Land Services to perform the regional control programs that target other pests.

“Pressure from hunters aren’t stopping that spread. There are no natural predators and no coordinated controls,” he said. 

Deer damage the native habitat by removing the understory with aggressive browsing, erode soils around waterways with their small hard hooves.They also carry livestock disease and are a biosecurity hazard.

A pest declaration would free government’s hand to investigate new controls such as poison baits.

NSW Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party, which holds a balance of power in the Upper House will provide significant opposition to a pest declaration.

MP Robert Brown slammed the report and said it is “riddled with factual errors, misinformation, and untruths.

"The draft report by the NSW Natural Resources Commission was conducted by a 'gun for hire' by the Baird Government.”

"Removing deer's game status will not improve the effectiveness of control measures, it will hinder them.