It was rugged hill country that ran around 3500 stock units, but by 1995 Richard had developed the property to carry 17,000su.
In 1982 Richard and Barbara bought 100ha on the edge of Paparangi, and while still managing the growing sheep and beef operation, trapped deer in the wild using a corral system rather than helicopters.
He stocked his 100ha block with feral deer and began farming them commercially. In the mid-1980s, Richard imported a rare Mesopotamian breed to help improve New Zealand bloodlines.
Originally from Iran and Iraq, the Mesopotamian influence was introduced to this district when he imported a stag from Austria.
Apart from a handful in game parks in Israel, one in the Opal Zoo in Germany and a few at Invermay Research Station in the South Island, purebred Mesopotamian are almost non-existent.
"They are certainly at the top of the endangered species list in the world and even I don't have as many purebreds as I used to," he said.
Back in the day, Richard sold three-quarter or seven-eighth Mesopotamian/Fallow stags as sires to be used in other parts of the country.
By the time he had developed Paparangi Station to a level carrying 17,000su, the owners sold and the entire farm was planted in trees.
Richard continued deer farming, but needed other income, so joined the Manawatu-Whanganui Regional Council as a soil conservator.
"I was talked into it by a mate, Alan Kirk, who was already working for the regional council. I told Allan 'I'm not qualified to be a soil conservator'. He told me I'd been doing it all my life and farmers would relate better to a man from the land than some guy in a suit fresh out of university," Richard recalled.
Allan Kirk went onto become Horizons Regional Council environmental manager.
During his time with the regional council - about a decade - he leased out his own 100ha block, ironically to a sheep and beef farmer. Apart from the odd feral deer, sheep roamed the cleared hill country pastures.
Removing fences
Richard and Barbara returned to their beloved Fairmead in 2010 and began setting up the hunting experience business.
"I set about removing all the internal deer fencing I had laboured so hard to install when I began deer farming. But I wanted the deer to roam freely throughout the block. I had also let the bush regenerate to provide cover for the stock."
The Fairmead Hunting Experience has now been up-and-running fully for six years and is attracting a growing list of satisfied hunters, mainly from New Zealand at this stage.
The Turners have fallow deer, tahr, chamois and a small herd of arapawa sheep known for their thick curly horns.
He has also bought in some special Hungarian and danish bloodlines to improve fallow stocks.
Fairmead Hunting Lodge is now a safe fenced game park situated 40km from Whanganui and is ideally suited to both trophy hunters or young inexperienced hunters.
"Fairmead caters for a wide range of hunters, from the fully experienced skilled stalker, to learner hunters who require some tuition and guidance."
All trips are guided by Richard, allowing him to pass on his vast knowledge gained from over 50 years of commercial and recreational hunting.
Richard has guided a number of hunters to successful deer, chamois and tahr trophies over many years and is now concentrating on the Fairmead Fallow block where he has a growing number of top class trophy fallow bucks. There is also an increasing selection of non-trophy or meat animals to choose from.
Accommodation is available with one or two bedrooms in the Fairmead Lodge homestead or visitors can stay in the old-style Totara Ridge Hut, overlooking the hunting block but only a five minute 4-wheeler ride from the homestead. The hut sleeps four, has an open fireplace and gas cooker but there is no power in the hut.
"Most of our clients are Kiwis and quite a lot of father-and-son hunters. We do get the odd visitor from Australian and even North America and Canada," Richard said.
"Transport can be provided. We can pick clients up from Whanganui or Palmerston North airports and drive them back when the trip is over. There is also a helipad available if they choose to fly in direct.
"There are other activities available, though. Visitors don't have to hunt - they can simply enjoy the peace and tranquillity. Take a walk through the property and enjoy the wildlife - tui, bellbirds, quails, kereru, New Zealand falcon and pheasants are just some of the bird life that call this home," Richard said.
