At this time of the year, a red stag with a little age on him, makes some of the best eating venison around. When you can combine that with management of the herd and time in the Aussie bush with like minded people, it becomes one of the best hunting experiences you can have.

Hunters, wake up to yourselves. Take exception to what I say if you wish but first, take the time to look up what Biosecurity Queensland thinks about wild deer and other introduced species. Read it all closely, then ask yourselves, "if they could click their fingers and have them all gone, would they". If you answer yes to this question, then all that is saving wild game (and hunting) is a current lack of technology or the approval/funding to use what they already have. We need to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. This clip focusses on the legislation we all have to work under in this State and introduces the system RIDGE has developed to improve the future of hunting and wild deer management.

The first traps were in the ground but Judy and I were as "crook as dogs" with some virus going around. The job had to be done, the traps had to be checked but it was cold and miserable. Still, it is one of the best offices in the world!!

My whole life has been based around trapping. When I was in my teens, I started trapping wild deer, on the ground and from the air. At that age I was shown how too set my first wild dog and fox traps, then I moved on to trapping a range of different species for Govt and private entities. Trapping requires skill and technique - first discreetly design and build your trap, think about what your target species is attracted to and provide the bait, crop, lure or attractant, then when the timing is right, spring it on your unsuspecting target. The remaining animals may now need to be caught a different way, even if they have to be flushed from cover by force. The same techniques work for people as well, so open your eyes.

A Rusa Stag for Chelsea

When someone you love or yourself has been coerced against their free will to do something they would normally not do or when that action has led to discrimination, loss of health, possessions, job or business - when you feel you have been wronged - who do you turn to for assistance? The correct authorities? Here is a situation unfolding in my home town.

Our previous trapping run in early May 2018 was highly successful but there were still big dogs coming from somewhere. When a neighbouring landholder gave us a call to trap a hidden valley close by, Judy and I jumped at the chance.

This valley was proving to be a strong hold for not just wild dogs but wild cats as well. It wasn't the easiest trapline but the tally was starting to look good.

One of our valued landholders within the local red deer area was seeing an increase in wild dog tracks across one side of his property. The last time he saw this, the attacks on young calves soon followed and we sorted the problem out for him. Time to do a run down that way again, first with Judy and then with my nephew Travis riding shotgun.

Rusa deer, are they a "Pest" or a poorly managed resource? Here is the first part of our series on Rusa deer hunting and management in Queensland Australia. Part one is about a hunt for a massive full velvet Rusa stag.

Those so called "hunters" within our ranks, who promote a "kill 'em all" mentality may think they are fooling everyone but they are really just fooling themselves. Many in Government must be rubbing their hand together with glee, as they see some "hunters", (who would sell Granny to get access), accept the system which will eventually see us with no guns, no hunting and no game. Sustainable Use means respect, morals and fair hunting rules, Eradication means we need to throw out our humanity.

The first two dogs had fallen to our sets but the trail camera told the story. The Saddleback dog was carefully manoeuvring between the traps with all the skill of a burglar, so it would come down to patience and persistence (plus a few little tricks thrown in. ;)