Peter Jones looks at the deer stalking highlights of the month ahead.
As I write these lines, I have just returned from an overnight trip to Hampshire where I had the privilege of stalking with a new client from the United States, and during which I witnessed the start of the 2019 Roe Rut.
With the temperatures soaring into the mid to late 30’’s it is perhaps no surprise that the start of the Roe rut in the south of England has been triggered in late July
Last year I expressed some concerns that the rut was late however, this year, again witnessing rutting activity on the 23rd July, it appears to have recommenced its usual scheduling!
With sunshine and warm temperatures set to continue during the remaining days of July, there is a possibility that much of the action in the south will have come and gone by August however, it would remain likely that the rut will continue on into the first days of August in the south and then continue its inevitable march north before arriving in Scotland.
Wherever you are in the UK, don’t miss out, the Roe rut is, for my money, one of the finest spectacles that the UK countryside has to offer. Roe are elegant secretive little deer that are not readily confined to enclosures, so unlike the rut for other species, such as Red and Fallow, which can be witnessed in parks - Richmond Park being my local, you will only get to see the Roe rut by venturing out into the woods and fields. With the 2019 rut now underway, I would recommend that you do so at your first opportunity.
Another point of note in August, Fallow Buck, Sika Stag and Red Stag are also now in season across the whole of the UK, albeit, unless one ambles past you, I should focus on the Roe for a few more weeks and allow the larger species to shed their velvet before actively setting out in search of them.
For those that wish to try and call a Roebuck we attach one of our past films ‘How to Call a Roebuck’ to provide you with some guidance on how to do so. youtube
IN Season in England & Wales: Roebuck, Fallow Buck, Red & Sika Stag, Muntjac Buck & Muntjac Doe.
OFF Season in England & Wales: Roe Doe, Fallow Doe, Sika Hind, Red Hind, CWD Bucks & CWD Doe.
IN Season in Scotland: Roebuck, Red Stag, Sika Stag, Fallow Buck.
OFF Season in Scotland: Roe Doe, Fallow Doe, Sika Hind, Red Hind.
