Is June a good month to go Deer Stalking?

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Monday, 23 May 2022

The widely accepted paradigm is that June is a poor month for Roebuck, this may not be true.

Experience the countryside all to yourself, hours before most walkers have ventured out of bed. 

I speak only of Roebuck this month, because in June they are the only species in Scotland, and one of only two species in England & Wales that are in season, the other being Muntjac. 

The reason why June is considered to be a poor month, is because it falls between the period during which Roebuck are establishing territories in May and the start of the rut in late July.  During this spell, whilst the females are often quite visible as they attend to their new-born’s kids, the males spend much of their time in repose, putting on weight ready for the rut.

Whether you prescribe to the paradigm or not, here at County Deer Stalking and the Capreolus Club our records demonstrate that June is in fact one of our most productive months.

Ask me when I would take a break? In fact, I would recommend that you hang up your boots for a few weeks during early July and then again after the rut in late August - were it not for the fact, that by August, other species are back on the agenda.   

Of course, having decided to venture out, the next question you must ask yourself is, do I stalk in the morning or evening? It’s starting to get light in the mornings at this time of year by 4am and doesn’t get dark again until 10pm.  Add a journey to or from the ground and there is precious little time for sleep.

The benefits, however, are long lazy summer evenings spent in the dappled green woods, or at the other end, the dawn chorus, a swift sunrise, and several glorious hours to enjoy the countryside to yourself before the first walkers begin to venture out. 

If you'd like to take up deer stalking a great place to start is by taking the Proficient Deer Stalker Certificate Level 1. You can find out more about the course here: deer-stalking-course

IN Season in England & Wales:  Roebuck, Muntjac Buck & Muntjac Doe.

OFF Season in England & Wales: Roe Doe, Fallow Doe, Fallow Buck, Sika Hind, Sika Stag, Red Hind, Red Stag, CWD Buck & CWD Doe. 

IN Season in Scotland: Roebuck 

OFF Season in Scotland: Roe Doe, Fallow Doe, Fallow Buck, Sika Hind, Sika Stag, Red Hind, Red Stag.

(Peter Jones - Editor)