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| PROJECT SUMMARY PROPERTY
MANAGER: PRIVATE LANDHOLDERS
PROPERTY: FOUR PRIVATE SITES, LAKES ENTRANCE
Community: Littoral Rainforest
Status: critically endangered in Australia
Species: Limestone Blue Wattle (Acacia caerulescens)
Status: vulnerable in Australia
Community: Warm Temperate Rainforest
Status: endangered in Victoria
Species: Jungle Grape, Yellow-wood, Yellow Milkvine, Jointed
Misteletoe
Status: vulnerable in Australia
Funded actions: deer management, weed control, re-instatement of
creek, in-fill planting
Deer Management Meeting
Participants enjoyed an informal discussion over a BBQ lunch. An
inspection of Moultrie Game Cameras and demonstration of the safety
harness for use with high seats also took place. The group acknowledged
the support provided by the Jakobi’s in making the venue available for
meetings.
Brett
formally introduced Peter as the Facilitator for the EGRCMN. Peter
provided a summary of his background and his role with the current Open
Grant project. |
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The key deer
management related activities and progress with their implementation in general
are:
·
enhanced
training for deer hunters, (discussed further in a later item)
·
reimbursement
of some travel costs – concepts are reimbursement of some travel costs based on
diary or logbook.
·
exclusion fence
trials – two locations identified for fenced plots.
·
deer management
on private properties – ongoing with establishment of high seats underway.
·
trail cameras –
to be procured to assist with monitoring and management.
Peter indicated
that the project funding incorporated an element of ‘in-kind’ support, therefore
it was important that a record of all volunteer contributions was made. This
included any time associated with project activities. (eg preparation, meetings,
travel, hunting, etc.) It was suggested that a log or diary be kept to record
activities associated with the project.
1.2
Last Year
Success
Brett spoke
about progress achieved to date with property visits to determine management
regimes and success with deer reduction.
1.3
New Properties
to visit
Brett indicated
that a number of new covenanted properties had been identified for deer
management. Further information can be obtained from Brett.
1.4
Future Deer
Drives
The Group
discussed the logistics of conducting a deer drive on the Jakobi property. It
had been previously agreed that this would be an effective management tool for
this property. Russell volunteered to provide a coordination role for the drive
at a suitable time in the future.
It was
acknowledged that continued communication between members of the Deer Management
Group and the property owners was essential to the ongoing successes of the
Group.
1.5
Business Cards
Brett passed
around business cards prepared for the hunters to be used to clearly identify
membership of the Group to property owners, etc.
1.6
Enhanced
Training
Brett provided
an overview of the topics suggested for the enhanced training. It was noted that
these topics were subject to further discussion and the sourcing of expert
advice to provide such training. The topics are;
·
Animal
Behaviour
·
Understanding
the breeze
·
High Seats
·
Putting it
together, optimising chances and managing setups
·
Vegetation
Communities and Management
1.7
Feedback Sheet
Following
discussion at a previous meeting, Andrea tabled a feedback form to be completed
and returned to her by all members of the Group. It was agreed that the feedback
form be emailed to those members of the Group not present at the meeting.
Action:
Brett to email
feedback form to Group members absent from the meeting.
1.8
Game Camera
database
The meeting
discussed the proposed use of Game Cameras, access to images and the
establishment and maintenance of a database. It was noted that the cameras
would;
·
provide
important information regarding deer movements and behaviours for hunters
·
identify and
confirm deer impacts on vegetation restoration,
·
identify and
confirm other species impacts on vegetation restoration
It was agreed
in principle that a database be developed with secure access established for
Group members.
Action:
Peter to investigate and
facilitate database.
It was also
agreed that in regard to Game Camera use that;
·
two SD (data
Storage), Cards, be procured for each Game Camera to allow continuous data
capture,
·
stainless steel
cable be used to secure cameras in the field,
·
mounting
brackets as developed by Brett to be used as appropriate,
·
camouflage tape
be used to disguise Game Cameras.
1.9
Other
1.9.1
Wildlife
destruction permits – it was suggested that the legal requirements relating to
hunting at dawn and dusk was restricting the ability to effectively manage deer
on covenanted properties. Following some discussion it was agreed that wildlife
destruction permits be sought to allow legal hunting during these periods. It
was suggested that a blanket approach be made, covering all relevant properties,
and listing all hunting members of the deer management group as agents. Further,
that the EGRCMN Facilitator retain a list of properties and permits, and
facilitate annual renewals.
Action:
Peter to facilitate wildlife
destruction permits and maintain a register of properties and permits.
1.9.2
Actions for
Biodiversity Conservation, (ABC), Database – Brett noted that monitoring
associated with deer management activities should be recorded in the ABC
Database, consistent with the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act Sambar Deer Action
Statement.
Action:
Andrea to find out who is the
responsible DSE person for reporting monitoring information to.
2.
Site Visit –
High Seat at Goldsmith Property
The
Group travelled to the Goldsmith property to inspect the recently installed high
seat. Several members of the Group trialled access to the high seat and assessed
the sight lines available. General consensus was that the location and
establishment of the high seat was ideal. Further to
the inspection, the Group enjoyed afternoon tea at the Goldsmith’s.
Meeting Closed
at
16:00
hours.
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