South Australia's feral deer culling program targets eradication amid plague warning

The South Australian government has ramped up its aerial feral deer culling program as some drought-affected farmers battle large numbers of the pest on their properties.

Experts are urging NSW and Victorian authorities to step up their eradication programs to prevent a feral deer plague.

Invasive Species Council chief executive officer Jack Gough said SA's deer eradication program was the most ambitious in Australia and other states should follow.

"Feral deer are the next big rabbit plague for Australia," Mr Gough said.

He said New South Wales and Victoria had high populations of feral deer and they were not being managed.

"Unfortunately, feral deer are trashing, trampling and polluting the place,"

Mr Gough said.

"Once that population is out of control, like it is in NSW and Victor