PARKS Victoria will not say how many deer were killed in a cull by contract shooters in the Alpine National Park earlier this month.

A Parks Victoria spokeswoman confirmed a cull had taken place at Howitt Plains in the Alpine National Park, north of Licola, in the past fortnight, but would not respond when The Weekly Times asked on which date or days the control program — initially set down for February 3- 5 — occurred.

The spokeswoman said the Parks Victoria operation was part of an ongoing effort to control deer in the park.

“Parks Victoria uses highly skilled professionals to undertake these operations, which are thoroughly planned and carried out under strict conditions to ensure safe, effective and humane practices at all times.” the spokeswoman said.

“The operation did not involve the use of any helicopters. It was an on-ground operation conducted mainly in the late afternoon and evening, so it had little to no impact on visitors.”

Parks Victoria did not respond to questions about how many deer were killed, if the carcasses were removed, how many professional shooters were involved or the cost of the control program.

Instead it issued a statement that said: “Parks Victoria is investing in the Alpine National Park Deer Control Trial to determine what are the most efficient and cost-effective methods to manage deer to protect endangered alpine peatlands.”

“The program is being conducted in partnership with Australian Deer Association and the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia utilizing both volunteers and skilled contractors”.

ADA spokesman Barry Howlett said it had been notified by Parks Victoria it would carry out a Howitt Plains cull “some time over summer”. ADA had not been involved, but contractors had, he said.

SSAA also confirmed it had not been part of the operation earlier this month. Since the deer control trial began in May 2015, 86 deer have been culled from the Bogong High Plains.