In 1980, there were about 50,000 feral deer in Australia and by 2002 the population was estimated to have grown to 200,000. Now, the population is likely to have reached more than 2 million.
Saying it’ll be the “next rabbit” etc.
Knew we had them, never knew they were becoming such a huge pest.
Regulatory Capture.
The government didn’t want to be in charge of this, so they’ve offloaded the responsibility (and the power) to a private organisation, in this case the Game Management Authority.
The GMA aren’t all bad, they are also a primary driver behind the protection of native waterways (that just coincidentally happen to be duck shooting spots).
As a shooter, I have complex opinions about groups like the GMA and SSAA that theoretically exist for my benefit.
I stopped giving SSAA any of my money. I don’t agree with most of their political lobbying stances, especially for reducing requirements around accessing firearms and legalising higher rate of fire guns.
Hasn’t been any great loss.