The Pursuit Series: Hunting in North Queensland

Hunting in Queensland means dealing with real country, real conditions, and real decisions. There’s no script and no guarantees. Success depends on reading the land, understanding animal behaviour, and knowing when to push and when to hold back.

This series follows Venture Hunting founder Tim Neilsen during a North Queensland hunt near Ayr, targeting introduced species including chital deer, water buffalo, and camels. Each hunt stands on its own. Different ground, different challenges, different outcomes. What connects them is the approach. Ethical shots, full recovery, and respect for both the animals and the country they live on.

This isn’t about chasing numbers or highlight reels. It’s about how hunts actually unfold in Queensland, the decisions made in the moment, and the work that comes after the trigger is pulled.

Part One: Chital on the Burdekin

Hunting in QLD – Near Ayr, North Queensland

Tim Neilsen, founder of Venture Hunting and Outdoors, is hunting in North Queensland near Ayr, working along the Burdekin River system. It’s productive country, but not forgiving. Mangroves, tidal flats, high game numbers, and enough risk in the landscape to keep everyone switched on.

The target is chital deer. An introduced species that’s well established across parts of northern Queensland, chital require active management. For Tim, this hunt isn’t rushed. Meat matters, but so does the animal itself. He’s looking for a mature stag with an even set of antlers.

The deer are moving into the rut, which changes the entire pace of the hunt. A local guide, Chancy advises starting later than usual. Rather than pushing hard at first light, the plan is to let the stags move when they get hungry mid-morning.

Deer numbers are high. Hinds and young spikers are everywhere. The challenge is not finding animals, it’s avoiding blowing them out. One spooked hind can clear an entire paddock and shut the hunt down.

The morning is spent moving slowly through dry creek beds and open flats, using what little cover is available. After close to a kilometre of careful stalking, deer are located near the mangroves. The group holds position, backs off when needed, and waits. No suitable stags show themselves.

The decision is made to pull out. It’s the right call. Hunting in Queensland often rewards restraint more than pressure.

That afternoon, the group shifts to another nearby area. Hinds are spotted feeding from the buggy and the hunt continues on foot. After settling into position and waiting, stags begin to filter through.

When the opportunity presents, Tim takes the shot.

It’s not the biggest stag Tim has taken, but it’s a mature, even animal. Exactly what he came for. The deer is taken back to camp and processed properly. A clean hunt, done the right way.