September arrives with a shift in the air. The leaves start to curl, the mornings take on a chill, and in the woods and on the open hill, something stirs. For deer stalkers, this is the moment we’ve been waiting for: the rut begins.
After months of obscurity, Red and Sika stag are on the move and ‘break-out’ from their bachelor herds in pursuit of hinds. It’s one of the most thrilling and visually striking events in the natural calendar.
Sika Stag – Spotlight on Sika
While much attention is traditionally given to Red deer, September truly belongs to the Sika. Their rut typically begins a little earlier than the Red, and by early September stags begin to separate from their summer groups and establish territories in hot spots in the British Isles that include the northwest of Scotland and Dorset where Sika are thriving.
Sika are a deer apart. They’re smaller and warier than Reds, but their behaviour during the rut is no less dramatic. In fact, in many ways, they offer the more rewarding stalk. Highly vocal, Sika communicate using a wide range of calls, from eerie wails and whistles to grunts and sharp snorts. When you're stalking them in close quarters, it can be an atmospheric and unforgettable experience.
As well as a variety of calls Sika rutting behaviour can also vary widely. In areas with high numbers of hinds, they’ll often adopt similar tactics to Red stags — setting up rutting stands and defending groups of females. Elsewhere, Sika might move constantly, employing stealthier strategies. This variation makes them unpredictable and, for many, the most exciting species to pursue at this time of year. Throw in their striking black manes, thickened and darkened for the rut, and you’ve got one of the most charismatic and incidentally, to my mind, tasty deer species to hunt in the UK.
If you’re looking for a serious challenge in September, it’s hard to do better than Sika.
Red Stag – The Roar Builds
Further north, especially in the Highlands, Red stag begin to roar. Although the peak of the rut is still a couple of weeks away, the early signs are here, as stags break away from bachelor herds and exhibit increasingly belligerent behaviour as they begin to size each other up.
As the rut builds weather plays a part. A drop in temperature or a cold snap can accelerate behaviour, either way, by late September, expect the hills to come alive with the sound of roaring stags and the clash of antlers. It’s a dramatic period and, for many, the highlight of the stalking year.
Fallow Buck - Waiting in the Wings
In relation to Fallow, it is my experience that the rut comes a little later than with Red & Sika and these days I don’t expect any serious activity until mid-October and even then it usually requires a good cold snap to bring on the action.
A Word on Strategy – Less Can Be More
It’s tempting to push hard in September, especially with activity increasing — but as with August, a word of caution. Deer quickly become wary when pressured, stalking too aggressively now can make them more difficult to manage later.
Over the years, I’ve found that holding back in September — allowing the deer some room and avoiding habituation — can lead to a far more productive October and November. A little restraint now often pays off in the long run, especially for those managing land over the full season.
Summary
September is a time of growing energy and movement, from the sharp whistle of a Sika deep in the woods, to the first distant roars rolling across a Highland glen. Whether you’re on the hill, in the forest, or simply preparing for the weeks ahead, there’s no mistaking it: the rut has begun, and with it, the best of the season lies just ahead.
If you would like to get into deer stalking, then there’s no better place to start than with the Proficient Deer Stalker Level 1( PDS1): Proficient Deer Stalking Course - PDS1
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 Buck & CWD Doe.
IN Season in Scotland: Roebuck, Fallow Buck, Red Stag & Sika Stag.
OFF Season in Scotland: Roe Doe, Fallow Doe, Sika Hind, Red Hind.
(Peter Jones - Editor)
