The Darling Scarp corridor from Mundijong down through Jarrahdale to Dwellingup is one of the most interesting hunting areas close to Perth. It’s where the jarrah forest meets the coastal plain, and that boundary creates a constant cycle of ferals moving between thick bush and private farmland. Pigs breed in the state forest and raid farms at night. Deer use the same corridors. It’s close enough for a day trip and wild enough to feel like proper bush.
This corridor overlaps with the northern end of the Peel region and forms a natural bridge between the Perth Hills and the South West. Properties along the scarp face unique pressure because the state forest is right there — an endless reservoir of ferals that no amount of one-off control can fix. That’s why ongoing bowhunting access works so well here. The problem never stops, so neither does the need.
What’s Out Here?
Feral Pigs
Feral pigs are the main game on the Darling Scarp. They live in the state forest during the day and move onto private land to feed at night. Dam damage, pasture destruction, fencing torn apart — landowners along the forest boundary cop it constantly. The pig damage page shows what these animals do to a farm. Because the forest acts as a permanent breeding ground, pig pressure on scarp properties never lets up. That’s good for access — landowners need ongoing help, not a one-off visit.
Feral Deer
Feral deer are showing up in increasing numbers through the Darling Scarp corridor. Fallow deer mainly, moving through the same forest corridors as the pigs. They’re declared pests in WA and landowners are starting to notice the damage. Deer access this close to Perth is rare and valuable. If you get it, guard it.
Rabbits & Foxes
Rabbits are thick on the cleared farmland along the base of the scarp. Foxes work the farmland edges, especially around poultry and smallstock. Both are solid reasons for initial contact with a landowner. Start with the small stuff, prove you’re reliable, and the pig and deer conversations follow naturally.
Finding Properties
Facebook groups for the Serpentine-Jarrahdale area, Byford Community, Jarrahdale Community, and Dwellingup & Districts are your starting points. Also check Peel Community & Buy/Swap/Sell as there’s significant overlap. The landowner access guide walks through the full process — find people posting about pest damage, offer free help, keep it casual and low-pressure.
The scarp corridor has a mix of lifestyle properties and working farms. The lifestyle block owners are often newer to the country and less familiar with pest management options. They’re sometimes the easiest to approach because the problem is new and stressful for them. Frame it as help, not hunting, and you’re in.
Women in the bowhunting community have found the scarp corridor welcoming. Lifestyle properties often have women as the primary landowner or decision-maker, and having a woman hunter in the conversation changes everything. The women in bowhunting page has more on building these connections. Don’t underestimate the power of a normal, friendly conversation between people who both care about looking after the land.
What Landowners Need
Scarp landowners need consistency above all else. The pigs are never gone for good because the forest keeps producing them. A hunter who comes once and disappears is no use. Position yourself as the person who’ll be back every fortnight, every month, consistently for years. That’s what solves their problem.
Your ABA membership and insurance are essential. These properties often border state forest, which means there’s an added layer of responsibility around boundaries and where exactly you can hunt. Be crystal clear about property lines and never stray onto state land. Read the legal page so you’re across the rules, and check the ethics page before your first visit.
Tips for the Darling Scarp
Terrain & Landscape
The Darling Scarp is a proper escarpment — jarrah and marri forest on the top and slopes, opening to cleared farmland on the coastal plain below. The transition zone where forest meets pasture is where the action concentrates. Creek lines cut through the scarp and pigs use them as highways between the bush and the farms. The forest canopy is dense enough for good stalking cover, while the open paddocks give you sight lines at dawn and dusk.
Properties range from tidy lifestyle blocks on the plain to rougher bush lots on the scarp face. Some of the steeper country around Dwellingup requires genuine fitness — you’ll be climbing ridges and dropping into gullies. The tracks can be rough in winter, so a 4WD is recommended for the deeper properties. Bring recovery gear if you’re heading into the forest fringe.
This corridor links naturally to the Peel region to the south and the Perth Hills to the north. If you build relationships here, they often lead to introductions on properties further into the South West. The getting started guide is worth a read if you’re new to the area.
