Salzburg hunting chief urges caution over tagged deer mystery

More than 20 tame red deer hinds with ear tags have been spotted in hunting grounds around Hüttschlag and Großarl, but their origin remains unclear, ORF reported. Salzburg’s state hunting chief, Max Mayr-Melnhof, said authorities must investigate and warned against a “witch hunt.”

Some local residents believe the animals were brought from an enclosure into the forest to refresh the bloodline, with the aim of producing stronger game and better trophies. Mayr-Melnhof declined to suggest any link to the valuable hunting grounds in the region, which are leased, saying he did not want to accuse anyone.

Authorities are also considering whether the hinds may have escaped from an enclosure. Mayr-Melnhof said tagged animals are not unusual on their own, but their numbers and tame behaviour were unusual. The matter has been referred to the authorities, and a case is under way at the St Johann district authority in Pongau. The numbers on the ear tags do not reveal where the animals came from. Local hunters say there is no game enclosure nearby.