Parks and Wildlife has pushed back the start date of a major deer cull closure in the Central Plateau Conservation Area, giving anglers back the final week of the brown trout season.
The closure will now run from May 4 to May 31 across the eastern section of the reserve.
The dates were revised on April 25 after PWS initially advertised an April 27 start, which would have locked anglers out a week before the trout season ends on May 3.
Under the new dates, anglers can fish the area until the season closes.
The earlier closure sparked criticism on social media, with one angler saying the decision should be answered by the relevant ministers.
“As to why angler access to the waters in this area is being denied for the last weekend of the season is a question that needs to be answered by the relevant ministers,” the angler said.
The Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) had also issued a notice based on the original dates, apologising to anglers who had planned to fish the area in the final week of the season.
“The Inland Fisheries Service was only recently made aware of the area closure dates …. and apologises to anglers who were planning on accessing this area,” IFS said.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is overseeing the cull, with volunteers from the Australian Deer Association and Sporting Shooters Association of Australia carrying out ground shooting.
“The program will utilise the skills of experienced volunteer conservation shooters, supported by trained and authorised departmental authorised firearms officer staff, to help reduce the impacts of deer on the natural values of the reserve,” PWS said.
The closed area covers land east of Talinah Track, west of Highland Lakes Road and north of Marlborough Road.
The boom gate at the Lake Augusta dam wall will be locked on May 3, in line with annual practice.
“Public entry is not permitted. It is not safe to enter these areas,” PWS said.
“To continue suppressing deer numbers and to reduce the likelihood of reinvasion into the Walls of Jerusalem National Park, targeted ground-based culling is considered a necessary and effective complementary measure.”
