Red Deer – Starting Out Made Easy
THE stronghold of red deer in Australia is in the ranges north of Brisbane. Deer were introduced there back in 1873 when Queen Victoria sent several animals to provide the basis for a herd for the enjoyment of the antipodean settlers. Reflecting this history, the red deer takes pride of place on the coat of arms of the State of Queensland. The small country town of Esk is close to the point of the original release, and the symbol of the stag is prominent on local signage. For many years, red deer were a protected species, and the few animals originally released gradually increased in number and distribution. Although the sub-tropical climate was markedly different from that prevailing in their native European turf, the red deer nonetheless found the valleys of the Brisbane Ranges to their liking.
“The hunter education weekends cover a mix of
