Northern Victoria MP Luke O’Sullivan said he supported the plan to drastically reduce deer numbers.

“Recreational hunters and shooters have a wealth of experience and could provide a terrific resourcing boost,” he said. 

“Once you add the cost of Parks Victoria using their own staff, who will be paid overtime to go and cull a number of deer, it could become an expensive exercise.

“This could be a great way to save some money in this undertaking as well as a way to ensure that the deer cull trial uses those have expertise in the area to ensure that it is done in the most effective way.”