Concerned about the surging population of feral deer in the Coomba Park area, Coomba Progress Association president, Mark Power has called a public meeting to discuss the issue.
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Since a mob of 50-70 deer escaped from a property on Shallow Bay Road 30 years ago numbers have exploded, causing significant damage to farming properties and posing a risk for motorists.
"However, I am unclear how many (vehicle) accidents have been as a result of deer," Mr Power said.
While no reliable survey of deer numbers had been undertaken, there was an estimated 800-1000 feral deer in habitats around Coomba Park.
Feral rusa deer from Coomba Park have spread to Wallis Island, Green Point, south Forster and other locations
There have been increasing sightings of fallow deer in the Tea Gardens, Bundabah and North Karuah areas.
Feral deer have also been reported in public forests and private lands in the mountain ranges and valleys in the west of the council area.
This is a discussion so people can air their opinions and not hide behind their keyboards.
- Mark Power
Mr Power said MidCoast Council and police representatives and a contract shooter have been invited to attend the meeting.
"This is a discussion so people can air their opinions and not hide behind their keyboards," he said.
"A contract shooter will be at the meeting, police have been informed and invited to attend the meeting also.
"So come along, discuss, ask questions, and hopefully we can all, as a community, find a solution to the problem."
He wanted to reassure that no-one had organised any shooting to take place.
However, he said a supervised cull in the village about 12 years ago resulted with the controlled death of 40 deer in four hours.
The public meeting will be held at Coomba Park Hall on Thursday, March 12 at 7pm.
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