On the trail to better understanding hound hunting

The GMA in collaboration with Melbourne University has completed a new study to document certain characteristics of hound hunting in Victoria.

The GMA in collaboration with Melbourne University has completed a new study to document certain characteristics of hound hunting in Victoria.

During the 2020 and 2021 hound hunting seasons, four hound crews gathered data from GPS collars fitted to hounds on hunts around Omeo and Dargo.

The data from the GPS collars provided information on chase duration and the distance hounds travel. The shot distance, number of shots fired and the landscape features of where deer were harvested were also recorded.

GMA Research Principal Jason Flesch said the results from the research provide a better understanding of hound hunting as a method to harvest Sambar deer in Victoria.

“Results showed hound crews successfully harvested a Sambar Deer 88 per cent of the time with an average chase time of 92 minutes”, Dr Flesch said.

“The average number of shots fired was 1.44 per deer, the average shot distance was 39m and most of the deer were harvested on steep slopes at distances less than 50m.”

“The probability of harvesting a male or female Sambar deer were similar and there was no relationship between hunt success and the number of hunters or hounds in each crew.”

Deer can cause damage to the environment and may pose a risk to public safety. Recreational hunters contribute to a range of control methods that are important for curbing the impacts of deer populations.

For more information about the GMA’s deer research projects, visit: https://bit.ly/3D3H8IO