Why is the open season for Hog Deer restricted to a single month from April 1 to the April 30 each year?
The total Victorian population of Hog Deer consists of a number of small, isolated populations and is under pressure from a decline in habitat quality and quantity as land is cleared and freshwater marshes and wetlands are drained. Therefore, when considering the timing of the open season, it is important to ensure the population is at its maximum and that hunting does not occur during periods of stress or vulnerability. The current month-long Hog Deer season in April is considered to be consistent with the biology of the species as, generally, the majority of hinds have conceived, stags are in hard antler and calves born in spring have been weaned and are self-sufficient before the season opens. The open season avoids hunting during the peak breeding period in Summer, when stags are particularly vulnerable, and avoids any disruption to mating, which may affect productivity. An April season also avoids the hardships of winter when population levels are at their lowest and deer are subj
Related Questions
- Why is the open season for Stubble Quail run from the first Saturday in April to the last day in June each year in Victoria?
- Why is the open season for Hog Deer restricted to a single month from April 1 to the April 30 each year?
- For "Number of months in USA," if the data is entered as of April 1, would the month of April be counted?
