Residents of Mosquito Point have raised safety concerns following what they understand to be a recent adjustment to the Hog Deer hunting arrangements on the Boole Poole Peninsula, administered through Parks Victoria.
Locals say the change has brought hunting activity closer to residential properties and has left parts of the community feeling exposed, particularly during the seasonal deer hunting period.
While Hog Deer hunting has long operated in the region under strict regulation and is supported by many recreational hunters, residents argue the previous boundaries provided a clearer separation between hunting areas and residential use. They say the revised arrangement has altered that balance.
A community spokesperson said Mosquito Point is no longer a remote locality, but a place where permanent residents, visitors and tourists regularly mix.
“Extending firearm-based hunting closer to where people live and move raises understandable concerns for public safety,” the spokesperson said.
“Residents are now asking for greater clarity around how boundaries are set and how safety is being managed.”
A key issue raised by residents is the level of consultation prior to the change. They say they were not directly engaged before the decision, although Parks Victoria has indicated broader stakeholder processes were undertaken.
Community members also say they have sought further discussion with Parks Victoria’s Bairnsdale office to better understand the rationale behind the adjustment and to explore possible mitigations, but feel their concerns remain unresolved at this stage.
The Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) has also been referenced by residents as having expressed concern about aspects of the consultation process, although no formal statement has been provided in relation to the specific claims.
Residents stress they are not calling for an end to licensed deer hunting in the area, but are seeking a review of boundaries and improved engagement to ensure residential safety is appropriately considered alongside recreational hunting access.
“Public safety needs to be part of any decision-making process where hunting areas and populated locations are in closer proximity,” the statement said.
The Mosquito Point community is now calling for Parks Victoria to review the current arrangements and to work with local stakeholders to identify a solution that addresses safety concerns while maintaining access for regulated hunting activities.
