A lot of what is available is farm bred for the record books. Just about everything has some kind of management involved, from improved pasture, enhanced feed, genetics, hormone supplements etc.. If you have strong hunting ethics it can create a huge problem doing the kind of hunt you want. Free range Red Deer in NZ is available, but most deer is managed for a price. You just have to weigh up what and how you want to hunt.

I'm always happy to compromise but some people aren't and some just don't know the difference. I took a 14 pt (F.1 cross) Red Stage that had a high level of genetic input previously, but was living on a low fenced private property with enhanced pasture, next to a National Park.

If you are a cashed up, time poor SCI type, then you can buy what you want.

Deer management in NZ is very advanced and I believe genetics are exported back to Scotland where Red Deer have been pushed out of their natural forest environment into the open tops.