Wildlife management officials have said a new baiting and trapping method shows promise in helping to solve the ongoing wild deer problem in northern New South Wales.
The North Coast Local Land Service began testing a new trapping technique in Port Macquarie after similar methods proved successful on the state's south coast.
Enclosures about 40 metres wide are set up and initially left open to allow deer to become comfortable, after several weeks deer inside are trapped and shot at night.
LLS Senior Biosecurity Officer Mick Elliot said initial indications suggested the program would be a cost-effective and humane option.
"It has kept those deer quite calm right up until the cull which is done very quickly and humanely," Mr Elliot said.
"We've found the humane way that we can cull.
"Obviously being humane is [what we] try to be every single time, and keeping those animals calm is the most pleasing aspect for us".
The size of the closure restricts the movement of the deer and the dark conditions keep them calm.
Mr Elliot said eight wild deer were captured and culled in the first trial.
"It really was a success. We are extremely pleased," he said.
"(It means) we could cull in a very short amount of time and remove in a very short amount of time."
Reports of deer attacks
Reports of deer attacking livestock in the region have prompted calls for better control methods.
Mr Elliot said deer tended to move into more populated areas during rutting season, from about March to early April.
"You've got a lot of animals moving around, probably going into areas where they think they might find a mate, and moving into areas where they wouldn't normally go to," he said.
Mr Elliot said deer numbers seemed to be on the rise.
"We know there are a number of deer in the area, and that [the population] is expanding," he said.
Plans to expand the program
Whilst the first trial in the region was a success, Mr Elliot said more research needed to be done before it was rolled out elsewhere.
He said the trial had been specific to the rusa deer species, and that other species' responses to the trap would have to be observed.
"We have a number of different species on the north coast so part of this process will be to target different species".
"So our plan is to be able to roll this out into other areas where we know deer are," Mr Elliot said.
The LLS hopes to expand the trial program to other areas in the Port Macquarie area and is encouraging landholders having problems with deer to get involved.
