For many years the RIDGE group has been an advocate of our population of historically released Red Deer.
The royal gift is a part of our Queensland heritage to find out more follow the links below.
The RIDGE Group for over 30 years has advocated for sustainable management of Queensland's wild deer herds.
Through collaboration with Outfitters, Landowners and Research partners RIDGE has assisted in the development of a system that works for both local communities and primary production.
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RIDGE can facilitate training aimed at utilising recreational hunters to help manage and conserve the environment.
We give our dedicated members the tools to become not only effective recreational hunters but assets to local community and primary production industry.
RIDGE recognises the cultural significance of the original release herd of red deer into Queensland,
Queen Victoria gifted the herd of red deer to the Queensland Acclimatisation Society in celebration of the state of Queensland being named in her honour. The deer arrived on 19 September 1873.
Two stags, Norman and Bolingbroke and four hinds, Atlas, Alma, Ada and Martha arrived from the Windsor Castle gardens aboard the ship, the Great Queensland.
The Queensland government coat of arms features a red deer alongside the native brolga
RIDGE has carried out various research programs on potential decedents of this original blood line and is currently working alongside Sunshine Coast University to make the DNA link with the red deer herds in Windsor Park England where they were sent from. Our organisation aims to conserve hunting through sustainable use management, education and cultural heritage recognition of the historic red deer herd.​​​​​​​​