HUNTERS have been refused access to Australia's single biggest population of Hog Deer.

The Victorian Government has ruled out hunting on Snake Island, a 3500ha sand and scrub island sheltered by Wilsons Promontory.

Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh said there would no balloted hunting of deer there.

Cattle have been walked and swum to graze on the island for more than a century.

Mr Walsh said a proposal from the Victorian Hunting Advisory Committee to allow a balloted hunt of hog deer on the island during June and July  using four groups of six shooters  would not go ahead.

"I asked my Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Industries Bill Sykes to investigate the legitimacy of the proposal and he found a large percentage of the local community, recreational island users and cattle grazers were strongly against the idea,'' Mr Walsh said.

"At a public meeting in Welshpool to discuss the proposal, a significantly high proportion of attendees were against hunting on the island. They felt it would deter visitors and risk public safety.

"While the Victorian Coalition Government recognises the contribution licensed hunters make to our states economy, in this instance the impact on local tourism and recreational activities would have been too great.

"Tourism plays a huge role in supporting the economy of the area, with Snake Island attracting thousands of kayakers, horse riders and recreational fishers each year.

"It is important we do not risk what is a significant industry, already bringing benefit to a regional community, by allowing hunting on the island,'' Mr Walsh said.