Queensland Wild Red Deer Past and Present - What of the future?

As a warm fire crackled behind him, casting its flickering light upon the solid limestone cave wall, the stone-age hunter sketched with oxide pigments in an attempt to capture the spirit and the majesty of his favoured prey - the mighty Red stag.

As he carefully drew each animal, little did he know that both his paintings and the deer would last over 15,000 years. The long sweeping tines and distinctive antler shape were clearly the same back then as they are now and can be seen depicted on the cave walls of Lascaux in south western France today. Although most races of people around the world have some linkage with different species of deer, it is those people of Caucasian background that are linked directly with Red deer.

During the Mesolithic age, Red deer constituted the single most important food species to the people of that era. Along with the meat these animals provided, tools and weapons were made from antlers and bones, while hides and sinews became cloths and cord. When we consider how important a species such as Red deer has been to our ancestors throughout history, it is little wonder that they were introduced to Australia and New Zealand as an integral part of our culture.

Red deer were first liberated to the Brisbane Valley in Queensland during 1873 and were from Windsor Great Park in England, itself a mixture of British and German strains. Further releases of deer from both Warnham Park and Scottish backgrounds are highly suspected, although unclear due to a lack of recorded information.

Old time deer hunters of the upper reaches of the Brisbane Valley, when relating stories passed to them by their fathers, tell of a small group of deer that separated from those at the original release site at Cressbrook, near Esk and moved far higher towards the start of the Mary and Burnett watersheds. Other stories tell of a much darker coloured strain of deer which rapidly gained a foothold into the high ranges many kilometres to the West of the original release site. It is clear that some of the first mature herd stags, allowed to control large groups of females in their own separate areas for many years, had a long lasting influence on that areas trophy potential. Today, an experienced Red deer hunter can often guess quite closely, the area from which a trophy comes from, simply due to its characteristic shape or style. Clearly, this mixture of English, German and Scottish genetic strains, now form the base of a strong, resilient and in many ways, unique herd of deer.

The Red deer, except for in extreme drought conditions, have always enjoyed an unlimited supply of high quality feed, due to the fact that they are not restricted in their movements by cattle fences. Reds love to browse Lantana, Groundsel, Wait-a-While and 'Stinking Roger' plants as well as Wild Raspberries and Wild Passionfruit. Their base diet of native forbs and legumes are complemented by native Bluegrass, Kangaroo Grass (especially when seeding), Foxtail and Waterweed. As a special treat, a farmers cereal crop, pasture, melons or fruit trees, are often raided with relish.

During the first few decades of their introduction, the Queensland Red deer herd enjoyed relative peace and protection, achieving quite high reproduction levels as they slowly and steadily explored and colonised new mountain ranges and creek flats. Their expansion fortunately occurred after the booming gold rush days of the 1860's which saw many thousand of hungry miners, relentlessly comb every creek and gully of the present Red deer range in search of a colour. It did however, coincide with the original era of wide spread fencing, tree poisoning and cultivation, as well as the first major push for mill timber.

Old bullockies, returning with their teams along freshly cut snigging tracks were surprised to see that their progress into new country, was often followed by a new and strange type of animal that left long pointed tracks in the soft scrub soil. Many grubby little faces and hard working bush wives, on the quiet hill selections and in busy sawmill camps, were sincerely grateful for a hairy and leaf covered carcass, slung over a pack saddle or bullock wagon. These proud animals, filled well their intended role as food and sport to the early settlers of this region. Although some very impressive trophy stags were taken before the turn of the century, most early hunters either did not shoot for trophies or did not keep them. Occasionally a big, old trophy still turns up covered with dust, out of a farm shed or private collection but unfortunately, often the details of its origin are lost.

Their push continued until well in to the 1960's and indeed, some areas are still seeing some limited expansion now. The deer, once entering a new valley system, would multiply quite rapidly and move in what has been described as a 'wave' over the initial decade or two before settling into more structured and orderly patterns. The present Red deer range now totals over 1.4 million hectares with the main range being just over 750,000 hectares. This area is comprised of approximately 40% forestry and lease country and 60% freehold.

Around the Imbil area on the eastern edge of the deer range, no deer were recorded at all until 1928 but by the late 1940's, their numbers were in almost plague proportions. Long term families of this area, noted an extremely high survival rate on fawns and herds which numbered in the hundreds were often seen. It wasn't until the early 1950's, when there was a particularly severe drought which forced the deer down onto limited water in a weakened state, that the local dingo population was seen to start preying heavily on both young and adult animals.

This trend was noted by landowners right across the deer range and could possibly still be the main limiting factor prevailing upon the wild Red deer herds. Recent studies carried out by the RIDGE (Research Into Deer Genetics and Environment) have noted the differences between the Queensland and New Zealand Red herds which, although started at approximately the same time and from the same genetic base, have fared quite differently.

According to official Department of Conservation figures, over 2 million deer (predominantly Reds) have been harvested from the New Zealand bush since 1960 and at least 33,000 deer of all species, need to be taken each year if the status quo is to be preserved. In contrast our herd has never been estimated at exceeding a total of over 20,000 head with an annual sustainable harvest of less than 2000 head, making this herd at best, only marginally viable.

During the years leading up to the second world war and again, directly after the war, many truly great trophy heads were taken. Deer hunting was taken quite seriously before the war as it is now but far fewer people actually hunted them. Limited by calibres such as the .32/20, .30/30 and .310 Cadet, with far less access roads and often quite suspect hunting vehicles, it was then far more difficult to find or take a big stag.

The vast majority of really big stags taken during these times, were shot by landowners as they worked their holdings, timber cutters working in the scrub, mailmen on their rounds or often, someone just looking for "a bit of meat". More often than not, hunters had little idea of what they were shooting or what they had just shot, in terms of trophy potential as there was no scoring system in place to go by. Most hunters hunted simply for the fun of it.

There were some very keen hunters such as Alben Perrett Snr. of Elgin Vale, who would load up a pack horse, saddle a horse and head off with his old mate Bill Banks

into the headwaters of the Brisbane and Mary valleys. They would cover a lot of country each trip, sometimes staying away for weeks at a time. After the war, as better calibres, ammo and vehicles became available, more hunters took the sport of deer hunting seriously and many exceptional trophies started to appear.

During the period between 1948 and 1961, ten of the top twenty Red trophies now recorded, were taken. Some of, if not the greatest heads have sadly been relegated to lower positions in this register as they don't exactly meet the intricacies of the Douglas scoring system. Heads such as the Trost trophy (No 3) need to be seen to be appreciated by hunters as this scoring system cannot do it justice. With incredible beam strength and length and with extra 'unscoring' points, heads such as this give a clear indication of what is possible or indeed, what has been almost lost.

Throughout the sixties, due to very good seasons and a lower level of hunting pressure, the Red deer herd grew to it highest ever level. As more area was planted to crops and pasture by landholders, their tolerance for deer and the damage they caused reduced rapidly to a point where large numbers were shot each year and simply wasted. A severe drought over much of the deer range during the late 1960's and through until 1971 escalated the problem to the point where often hunters were asked in to shoot as many as they could.

The mid seventies saw the cattle market slump to all time low levels and many landowners, in an effort to survive, ploughed and planted areas to cereal crops which further compounded the problem for deer by putting temptation within easy reach. It was at this point that the New Zealand deer farming industry got into full swing and it was not long before Victorian deer farmers were offering up to (AUD)$3000 per hind for caught animals.

By 1978, deer trapping was in full swing throughout most of the deer range as landowners exercised their right to determine what happened on their own land. The deer being classed as "Introduced Fauna" by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and represented on the Queensland coat of arms, meant that strict seasons and trapping restrictions were imposed as well as "Royalties", payable to the QNPWS for each deer caught.

Most landowners, arguing that the deer were eating their crops and pasture, without any compensation forthcoming from the Crown, chose to ignore these restrictions and soon there was well over a hundred deer traps operating. Over 15 different helicopters took to the air to capture deer, at different times over the next 13 years. It would be hard to guess at the number of deer caught during this period as no accurate records were achieved but it would have been at least 1500 head per year during the pressure years and as low as 300 during others.

The live capture of deer was seen as a complete turn around in attitude by many hunters who went from having unlimited access, to having none. Some hunting groups saw deer as being there solely for the hunter and believed that landowners had no right to trap them or refuse access. The combination of the two conflicting view points brought about some extreme arguments, vendettas and hatred, some of which last to this day and still clouds rational and sensible conciliation.

Traps were vandalised, pens cut and deer released, shots were fired and fists were thrown as trappers and hunters flexed their muscles. Hunters faced road blocks manned by Police and National Parks Officers as they came out of the bush or arrived home to find a police car behind them. Hunters compounded the problem for themselves by their almost total unacceptance of the Permit and Tag system instigated by the QNPWS in 1976. This somewhat unwieldy system required all hunters to purchase tags before they hunted or shot a deer each year. Unfortunately, an average of only 26 tags were issued each year, even though over 1000 deer were estimated as being taken annually. Hunting groups compounded the problem further by not requiring their members to purchase tags and even went as far as letting trophies enter and win competitions, as well as being listed in registers, without them.

As the trapping drew to a halt during the early 1990's due to a fall in deer prices, the tense situation slowly eased between many landowners and hunters. However, a well entrenched "poaching" mentality had been forged and still remains as one of the main problems in the way of sustainable deer management in this State. During 1995, RIDGE led a deputation to meet with senior ministers of the State Government who have an influence on the future of wild deer. American biologist, Brian Murphy, then working with the TDAC, was part of the deputation and was shocked at the incredibly low esteem in which deer hunters were held.

The Government argued that hunters did not want to do the 'right thing' as evident by the failure of the permit system and either did not want or were not ready to accept any structured deer management system. Unable to be persuaded, deer were soon listed as a feral animal and a 'pest' species. Continued hard work and pressure by both RIDGE and Queensland ADA has seen some considerable changes to this original position and attitude but much more is needed.

Presently, as long as a landowners' permission is granted, a hunter can take as many deer as he or she likes, of whatever sex or age, at any time of the year. With few remaining laws to protect themselves from 'poachers', many landholders have looked to methods of eradication or at least considerable herd Reduction. With the threat of a Government funded Cattle tick eradication scheme, which at one stage included wild deer as a potential host species and therefore in line for eradication, plus the threat of a 'wild shot' venison market fuelled by high prices in Asia and Europe, the long term future for our herds looked very grim.

Both the ADA and RIDGE have been active in promoting the virtues of sustainable hunting practices by ethical hunters under both 'user pays' and 'user works' principles which has had the effect of containing the previously mentioned threats. Under the "works" method, a hunter or hunters, are required to work a number of days per year for hunting rights to a property. Under the 'Pays system', a daily rate is charged for each hunter to gain access and a fee is charged for each animal. The animals allowed to be taken are decided in both cases, by the overall management principles which need to be in line with the landowners wishes. Presently, over 1 million acres (420,000 hectares) of land, is under some form of deer management by members of these groups.

As with any group situation, both the safety and the security of the deer and the hunters needs to be addressed, from the point of view of those legally on the property and those trying to get in through 'the back door'. Some systems rely on the voluntary efforts of other members, while others are managed by the landowner themselves or are handled by an agent or outfitter hired by the landowner. These schemes are quickly gaining favour with all levels of Local and State Government as the first steps towards sensible and sustainable management of our deer herds.

Over the past 10 years, some very impressive trophies have been taken. Even when those heads which are obviously the result of direct releases from deer farms are overlooked, the true overall herd potential is clear. Most areas still hold excellent antler genetics but as more hunters select for neatness and size rather than age and cunning, the long term trophy potential is eroded. It is quite common in most of the Red range, for those stags without the genetics to grow more than 8 points total, to remain as the main herd sire in a valley for many years. At the same time, young stags of impressive potential are often shot before they can ever breed due to the fact that they are seen as better trophies. Many of the big stags that are taken, only manage to survive because they have learnt to remain in thick cover, settle for far fewer females or as in some areas, remain nearly silent.

Most hunters choose to hunt Reds during the 'roar', which is definitely the most exhilarating time to be in the bush with them. Hunters who have never heard the deep throated growls and hair raising bellows of wild Red stags, are missing one of this countries real treasures. Undoubtedly, the most demanding times to hunt Red stags are both before and directly after the rut, when they are far more secretive. Often a hunter finds a trail of stripped and broken bushes, usually either golden, black and narrow leaf wattle or black cherry, yet will still not sight a stag. It is at this time that a big Red stag is every bit as elusive as a Sambar.

Hunters wishing to hunt Red deer in Queensland now have a range of opportunities. If they don't have friends or relatives in deer country that can arrange hunting access, they can approach landowners themselves. Most landowners are quite easy going people and if approached the right way, will often be more than helpful. However, due to the vast number of hunters who have chosen to do the wrong thing in the past, many landowners now have long and painful memories which can see a would be hunter 'shown the gate', quite roughly.

New hunters have the choice of hiring one of several guided hunting operators, clearly advertising in this and other hunting magazines. They provide an excellent opportunity for first time hunters to experience deer hunting and learn the basics. As with any business transaction, hunters need to choose their outfitter well before parting with any of their hard won money. Another option is to join one of the main hunting and deer management group in the State. Each group offers a range of opportunities for members but again, a new hunter needs to pick which group best suits them as an individual.

The last option and unfortunately one that is taken far too often, is to trespass onto someone's property or 'poach'. Sadly, many hunters still see some heroic or romantic stigma attached to this practice but landowners, Government and Police simply see them as thieves. With the changes to the gun laws, people caught poaching now face the loss of their firearms license and a possible jail sentence.

Over the years, there has been much debate over which calibre is best for Reds. In truth, as long as the bullet is placed well, most calibres above .222 will do the job. However, when a hunter can't get a good rest, is puffing after a long climb, is in thick bush or any one of hundreds of other situations, they will appreciate a calibre with a little 'thump'. While many hunters today favour the .270 Win. rifles chambered for any of the .30 calibres are quite often used, especially the .308, .30/06 and .338.

Projectiles need to be of good quality and construction and preferably not pushed to the maximum, as often this will have the result of punching right through what is basically quite a thin skinned animal, with little apparent effect.

Bow hunting is slowly gaining favour with Red deer hunters and as long as bows of 60lb. draw weight and better are used, good quality matched arrows with 2 or 4 blade razor sharp heads and a high level of restraint on the part of the hunter, then a Red stag remains a top challenge.

The majestic Red deer of Queensland have proved their tenacity and strength by surviving so many trials so far. Clearly, it is now up to the hunters of Australia to determine their fate in the future.

From an Article by Clark McGhie