hunting

Hunting- Hog Deer
Hog deer are a small deer, males standing around 66cm at the
shoulders and weighing around 40kg. Females are smaller coming in
at about 61cm at the shoulders and weighing around 30kg. They
were introduced to Victoria in the 1860's. They are native to India,
Nepal and Southern Asia.
It gets its name from the hog-like manner in which it runs through the
forests with its head hung low so that it can duck under obstacles
instead of leaping over them like most other deer.
Hog deer are gregarious only when conditions are favorable and do
not form a "unit" at these times, fleeing in different directions rather
than in a herd. When alarmed, hog deer make a whistling
vocalization or a warning bark.
The antler of a mature hog deer stag is typically three tined-brow tine
with solid main beam terminating in inner and outer top tines.
However, antlers with more points are not uncommon.

Hunting- Fallow Deer
Shortly after our sceme was launched, we were able to obtain a
number of fallow deer,(dama dama) from South Australia.They were
released in 1974 and have adapted well.They are managed separately
and are a secondary priority to our prime involvement in the para deer.
The fallow deer are larger than the hog deer, with a buck standing
around 90cm. The antlers are termed palmated because of the flat area
like the palm of a hand, off which points project like fingers. The coat
colour can vary from white to black with cream, fawn and red pelage
occurring most often. Again the doe is smaller and lighter than the
male. This species has a greater tendency to stay in herds, unlike the
hog deer.

Hunting -Season
The three month hunting/culling season on hog deer, longer than the one month observed in Victoria ,is due to it being a management cull used on Sunday
Island to provided further information in our research, as samples are obtained during autopsy on all animals taken.
We also have a study pen in typical environment, containing known age animals, from which progressive weights, measurements and other information is
obtained.

Hunting- Junior Hunting
Para Park Co-operative has for several years, conducted a balloted Junior Hunting program.
This initiative of Para Park was set up to enable junior hunters aged 15 to 17 years to experience the benefits of a game management program.
One of the objectives of the game management program is to produce a surplus of hog deer as a sustainable resource for recreational hunting. Because of
the success of this program, in 2003 Para Park Co- operative made it possible to offer junior hunters, the opportunity to hunt wild, free range hog deer.
The balloted Junior Hunter program offers a unique opportunity to participate in a guided deer hunt in a managed environment. There is no ballot application
fee and no charges for the opportunity to hunt. Accomodation will be arranged, however successful applicants and parent/guardians cover their own
transportation costs to and from Sunday Island and supply their own food.