Deer Stalkers Almanac - August

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Tuesday, 29 July 2014

The month of August can be divided into two chapters, so what is going on?

(Above: In our latest film we demonstrate how to call a Roe Buck click here for our short-films) 

I am frequently asked which of the UK's deer species I most enjoy hunting?  It is a challenging question to answer as each species has its undeniable merits, if pushed I might narrow the field and declare, that in my opinion, the two most thrilling hunting experiences in the UK are stalking Red deer in the Scottish highlands and lowland Roe Buck in the rut. 

Those that have stalked the larger species of deer (Red, Fallow & Sika) will know that there is a huge rush to be had from stalking and grassing a sizeable quarry, the added excitement gleaned by the sheer size of the beast is, for many, a thrill that cannot be paralleled by hunting smaller deer. Personally I get huge gratification from stalking a diversity of deer species large and small, however I have an immense infatuation with the secretive and characterful nature of Roe. I have heard Roe depicted as 'Elves of the forest' which I think describes their nature perfectly, indeed my fondness for this species seems to grow with every passing year, as I learn more of the nature of this attractive and enchanting little deer.

Why draw the comparison between the large and small deer species? Well I do so because during the month of August stalkers once again have the freedom to choose, this is because from the 1st of August the males of the larger herding species, Fallow buck and Red and Sika stags, are once again in season across the whole of the UK. Of course in Scotland Red and Sika stags have in fact been in season since the 1st July, however from the 1st August Scottish stalkers can also add Fallow Buck to their list of legal quarry. This is not to say that best management practice advocates doing so. During the early part of the season many of the males of these species will still be in velvet and will not reach ‘hard horn’ for a short time to come. The operative word therefore is 'selection,' do not be enticed into shooting your best males at this early stage, instead take the opportunity to weed out the lame and the weak.

So what is the point of my ramblings? Well put more simply, I am aiming to represent that it is possible, indeed it is useful, to divide the month of August into two chapters. The first half of August remains predominantly about the Roe Rut, which in Scotland is only just getting going. However from the middle of the month onward the Roe will be weary from rutting and will seemingly disappear. Thereafter during the second portion of the month the stalker may turn his or her attention to the fresh adventure of stalking the males of the larger species, by which time they will have had further opportunity to shed.

Whatever your choice large or small, August is another significant turning point in the deer stalkers calendar.

A final word about this month’s film which is compiled to demonstrate Roe calling, the timing of the film and almanac mean that there will be a couple of weeks of the Roe Rut still to run. I very much hope therefore, that the film will impart some assistance in perfecting your own calling and in doing so, offer you the opportunity to make the most of the remainder of the rut, more footage of which will be shown in our August film. To watch our latest film follow this link: short-films 

IN Season in England & Wales:  Roe Buck, Fallow Buck, Red & Sika Stags, Muntjac Bucks & Muntjac Does.

OFF Season in England & Wales: Roe Does, Fallow Does, Sika Hinds, Red Hinds, CWD Bucks & CWD Does. 

IN Season in Scotland: Roe Buck, Red Stags, Sika Stags, Fallow Buck.

OFF Season in Scotland: Roe Does, Fallow Does, Sika Hinds, Red Hinds.

(Peter Jones - Editor)