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Three additional areas of reserved land and two areas of Hydro Tasmania land have been opened for recreational deer hunting for this year's season.​ Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett made the announcement on Saturday as part of the official opening of deer hunting season. The season is conducted in two parts, with an adult male, or stag, component, and an antlerless, or doe, component. Mr Barnett said deer hunting season provided many Tasmanian hunters and shooters the opportunity to pursue an important tradition and way of life. The stag season opens on February 23 and runs until March 31, while the doe component runs from March 9-31 and from May 11 to June 30. The three additional areas will allow recreational hunters and shooters more land area to pursue deer. "These additional areas have been rigorously assessed with the determination that recreational hunting would not compromise public safety or impact on natural and cultural values for which the land is managed," Mr Barnett said. Fallow deer have been recorded in plague proportions in Tasmania and a University of Tasmania study conducted in 2016 showed a potential for them to begin to impact the world heritage area. Recreactional shooting is one way to manager deer numbers but it has been a complex issue, with a Legislative Council inquiry held in 2017. Mr Barnett said there were two existing areas, Top Marshes and Five Mile Pinnacles Conservation area that were closed until further notice due to the bushfires. "Deer hunters are also reminded that fire rehabilitation crews will be working in areas affected by the Pine Tier Fire on the Central Plateau over the coming weeks. "With a higher than usual number of people and vehicles in these areas, hunters are asked to be extra vigilant and careful," Mr Barnett said.

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