Clare Valley feral deer control program delivers strong results

One of South Australia’s largest satellite feral deer populations has been significantly reduced through a coordinated control program across the Clare Valley.

The $1 million program, supported by the Australian and South Australian Governments, has slashed feral deer numbers in the Clare Valley by more than 90%, providing welcome relief for producers who have been dealing with damage to vines and pastures.

The result follows years of coordinated work by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, supported by local landholders, grape growers, agricultural businesses, industry groups, and the Australian and South Australian Governments.

Aerial shooting has been a key part of the control effort, with 3 operations carried out across the Clare Valley in the past 12 months, removing 1,104 feral deer. The most recent aerial shooting operation wrapped up last week (7–12 September 2026).

Targeted ground control and commercial harvesting removed a further 440 feral deer, with most of these animals removed from peri-urban and agricultural areas around the Clare township. Local contractors are increasingly working entire nights in former hotspots without detecting any feral deer, a significant change from previous years when it would not be uncommon to shoot more than 20 feral deer in a single night.

At the peak of the problem, large herds of feral deer regularly damaged irrigated crops and vineyards around Clare. During the 2018 drought, some landholders reported tens of thousands of dollars in damage to established vines in a single night.

The significant reduction in feral deer numbers highlights the value of long-term, coordinated control and reflects the strong support of the local community. More than 100 private landholders have participated in aerial and ground control programs, including grape growers , agriculture properties and public conservation land and reserves.

Independent economic analyses by BDO EconSearch in 2021 found feral deer were costing the wine and grape industry in the Northern and Yorke region about $5.8 million each year in lost production. The study also found that, without an eradication program, these losses could rise to more than $42.5 million each year as deer numbers increased.

The Clare Valley program is part of the South Australian Feral Deer Eradication Program 2022–2032. It has been funded through the Australian Government’s Supporting Communities Manage Pest Animals and Weeds Program and the South Australian Government’s Drought Support Package. Since the program was launched, more than 34,000 feral deer have been removed statewide.

While feral deer numbers have been greatly reduced in the Clare Valley area, follow-up aerial operations, surveillance and rapid response activities will continue over the coming years to ensure the Clare Valley gets as close to feral deer free as possible