For the uninitiated - WTF is the R.I.D.G.E. group ?

Research Into Deer Genetics Engineering

Only know what I've read about. They reseach deer, as MLG said, and have a few propertys that they manage. As a member you can hunt red deer on the propertys and the trophy fee goes to the land owner.

So they research deer in the wild , and try to improve the trophy potential , or do this work with farmed deer ? What is the ultimate aim of this research or is it just an employment scheme for beaurocrats.

Doesnt seem very scientific to study the critturs then go kill the subject of your research....

They are wild deer on cattle propertys and such. I don't think the government is involved. Its just a bunch of hunters, trying to get better heads.

We have lots of research into deer genetics here , been farming them for a fair time now ( not me personally..)and with the importation of European bloodlines now have some very good heads produced on farms . The wild population was the original source of our farmed stock and most of the very original stock came from recognised English herds of both Fallow and reds .

Some of the Hungarian stags used here have mighty impressive racks , but since the farmed stag are used for velvet production the true potential of most is never seen properly .

Sounds like a good scheme , no doubt it is underfunded and will never acheive the results that it could , but at least they are giving it a try .

Many escape's into the bush for the breeding stock Muzza. That'll be one way to develope the wild bloodlines.

And unfortunately some of these impressive farmed heads at the end of their velvet days end up in 100 acre shooting "blocks" for overseas "trophy" hunters.

I wouldn't want one of those heads even if I KNEW it came from the wild, because they scream deer farm.

Maybe so , guys , but if it means an injection of new vigour into your wild gene pool it cant be all bad can it ?For sure hunting a tired old stag in a big enclosure isnt for everyone , but if someone with enough dollars gets off on that so be it . If you can get a few offspring out of the old boy first so much the better .

I have to say that the European stags imported into NZ havent been the very best , or even in the top twenty percent , truth be told , but they have been better than what was available in the wild . Ultimately it will depend on how much money is available as to how much research and progress will be made . At least someone is trying .

Did I mention the softball results?

I'm interested in the Red/Elk crosses. I think they would be an interesting trophy.

By the way Muzza, who won the softball?

Bakes
Red Elk cross is called a "super red" by the deer farmers.

I have an elderly associate who has a Wapiti ( elk ) head in his beach house - only because it is too tall to fit in a regular room . Man it is big , and wide too . I forget the number of points but it is a beauty. I think wapiti are probably the most impressive of the deer we have here .
I believe our farmers call the cross breds hybrids as opposed to super reds .

Is it the norm in NZ ? I would have to disagree there mate!

I think you will find that the majority of deerhunting done here is free range , fair chase stuff . There are some places that offer hunting on fenced properties , but not exactly in a 1/4 acre pen situation , some of those properties cover thousands of acres and only have a perimeter fence , more to keep the poachers out than the livestock in .