A number of car accidents have recently been blamed on increasing populations of deer straying onto major Port Macquarie roads such as Hastings River Drive.

Hastings motorist Mike Chambers was left shaken after his car was so badly damaged by striking a deer on May 23 that it had to be written off.

North Coast Local Land Services confirmed around 90 deer have been controlled in the Port Macquarie area with the assistance of over 30 landowners, since February this year.

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia Port Macquarie hunting and conservation project manager, Don Little, said there were numerous certified volunteers willing to assist in controlling feral deer if called for.

"We've got about 15 hunting certified SSAA members who can come in and manage the numbers on private property and public land if it was made available to us," Mr Little said.

"We've got a great many number of community members who are ready, willing and able to help, free of charge.

"Trapping is not an effective option with so many deer. Aerial shooting is not an option in a built up area.

"It may not be the best use of rangers' time to sit waiting for them, but we've got volunteers who are happy to sit out there for tens of hundreds of hours."

Hastings Regional Shooter Complex chairman John Tingle, a former chairman of the Hastings Valley Hunting Club and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party founder, said deer numbers were some of the highest he'd seen.

"There is a perception among members from the last committee meeting (HRSC) that the deer are 'up and running again' which means there are a lot around at the moment," he said.

"Hunters with a special game licence operating on approved land can now be very picky about the quality of the deer they shoot.

"There are enough around to look for good points (antlers) and good venison.

"They are quite prolific breeders and this is not a problem that is going away."

Deer have been involved in numerous strikes with motor vehicles in recent weeks with one clipped near St Joseph's Regional College on May 20.

Another deer strike occurred along Ocean Drive near Lake Cathie on May 30.

The issue of feral red deer was raised by Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams in the Parliament of NSW's legislative assembly on May 30.

"The increase in the population of feral red deer species has meant these animals are in disproportionate numbers in my electorate causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage to personal possessions and properties, with severe environmental impacts," Mrs Williams said.

"If the current population is left uncontrolled and unclassified we could see further vehicle accidents and, sadly, the potential loss of life or severe injury."

She said the environmental issue had 'plagued' the electorate for over three decades.

"While the Hastings Wild Deer Management Strategy and the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council plan has reduced deer numbers in our community, it is paramount that we continue to remain on the front foot to ensure deer numbers do not overwhelmingly increase," Mrs Williams said.

"In Port Macquarie my constituency has told me that wild deer are feeding in urban areas, grazing along and crossing highways.

"There have been accounts of aggression towards livestock and people who have encountered them alone or in small groups."

Mrs Williams said the current classification of wild deer as a game animal, and not a feral pest, was an impediment.

Monitoring and control of deer is listed as a high priority in the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's Biodiversity Strategy 2017-2030.

The council is a member of the Hastings Wild Deer Working Group, established in 2016 to form the Hastings Wild Deer Management Strategy 2016-2018 and organise wild deer control practices.

In 2018, deer hunting regulations were lifted across the North Coast Local Land Services (NCLLS) region to help licensed hunters assist farmers manage feral deer populations.

An Sporting Shooters Association of Australia NSW spokesman said the solution was a sustained non-selective shooting program.

"SSAA NSW acknowledges the potential impacts from wild deer across New South Wales including the Port Macquarie district," the spokesperson said.

"Impacts from deer include traffic hazards, damage to property and community facilities.

"Risks include deer displaying intimidating or aggressive behaviour to residents, livestock and pets.

"Management of this program must be conducted safely and systematically."

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