Why October is the best month of the year to be deer stalking.
October is, without question, my favourite month of the year to be deer stalking. With the diminishing hours of daylight, the stalking becomes more sociable, the heat of summer gives way to fresher, invigorating weather, and the UK largest deer become charged with testosterone.
No doubt, with the rut now at its height for all of the UK’s large deer species, Red, Sika and Fallow, coupled with the Roe finally awakening from their post-rut repose, it is the autumn and particularly the month of October that is rightly considered by many, to be the finest time of year to be hunting deer.
Indeed, my travels as a professional stalker during the next few weeks give testament to this and the breadth of what the UK has to offer. In just a few short weeks I travel south with members of the Capreolus Club to hunt Sika on the Jurassic south coast, and then just a few days later to the Highlands of Scotland to stalk Red deer. Punctuate this with some guided stalking over areas of outstanding natural beauty in the Chiltern Hills, Hampshire and the North Wessex Downs for Fallow Buck, Roebuck and Muntjac, and you have an indication as to just how much the UK has to offer this autumn.
It is an unparalleled time of year, not only because of the heightened deer activity, but also because the countryside is at its most visually striking. As the leaves turn, the landscape is coloured with deep reds, burnt oranges and gold, vibrant colours that contribute to a sense of change. Add in the crisp air, shortening days and a whiff of smoke in the air as you return to the lodge, and October marks a true turning point in the deer calendar, when both the behaviour of the deer and the beauty of their surroundings are at a peak. The rut is upon us, and with it, the woods echo with the roar and bellow of the UK’s largest land mammals as they clash antlers in an electric display of rivalry and tension.
It’s not all about the large Species
Amidst the roar of the rut, subtler stories unfold. Roebuck, dormant through September, begin to stir and young Roebuck experience a short rise in testosterone something that brings on increased activity amongst the youngsters during what is referred to as the ‘Faux-rut’. The ever-present Muntjac also become more visible as the woodland understorey thins, offering further opportunities for those with a watchful eye.
Scotland – Hinds
It’s important to note that in Scotland, October also heralds transition. As the Red stag season proper, draws to a close, Scottish stalkers turn their attention to the hinds, the open season for which commences on the 21st October, ten days earlier than in England & Wales. Something that adds another layer of excitement to an already dynamic month.
Summary
October presents the rare opportunity to pursue all three of the UK’s largest species, during the peak of the autumn rut, it is a month of intensity, spectacle, and drama.
But it’s not just the drama of the rut that makes this month so special. October is the gateway to the peak months ahead when deer stalking transitions into deer management and the crucial task of managing the breeding population.
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 Bucks & 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 Until 21st October
(Peter Jones - Editor)
