June is all about still hunting for Roebuck, Professional deer stalker Peter Jones explains why.
It seems to have been one thing after another this past year or so. I look back at our almanac from June last year and see that I was hopeful for the year ahead. Little did I know, there would be further lockdowns, followed by one of the worst starts to the summer that I can remember.
Today, as I sit at my desk, the rain has finally stopped and there is even a glimpse of the sun peeking out through the storm clouds, in fact it prompted me to say to my little boy, that I felt that the weather was finally turning, let us hope, that this coupled with the further easing of lockdown rules in June is the promise of things to come.
So, what has been the result of all this disruption. Well considerably fewer deer have been shot. Last week our long awaited Capreolus Club ‘May’hem’ event, during which we look forward to ‘grassing’ some Roebuck, had to be cancelled because of high winds and torrential rain! Meaning that many Roe have had a further reprieve. When will we finally get a chance to harvest some of these deer?
Well my feeling is, that we are on for a fabulous rest of the year. Indeed, I am out three time this week, twice with beginners and a third with the club for a repeat of the Roebuck event, and if I were a betting man…
So how will I go about hunting these animals. Well, if you were to memorise just one thing that were to summarise the species and tactics for hunting deer in June, it should be, ‘Still hunting for Roebuck’. This is because other than Muntjac, which are nye on impossible to see at this time of year, Roebuck are the only deer in season, and because of the height of the vegetation high seats and still stalking, represent the very best way to achieve your goal.
What do I mean by still-hunting? Well in short it refers to creeping slowly through the countryside, stopping and ‘glassing’ frequently, this style of hunting is important, as are high seats, because whilst you will see females aplenty, unlike in May and during the rut in late July/early August, the males are far less active and will spend long periods in repose, with occasional spells spent browsing. Their objective being, to put on some body mass, ready for the rut when they will need it to defend their mating rights.
For more on Roebuck stalking, click here to find out everything you need to know: roebuck-stalking-everything-you-need-to-know
If Roebuck are not your thing, unbeknown to many, June is in fact, the best time of year to be hunting Pere David’s deer.
Chinese legend refers to Pere David’s deer as an amalgamation of a Horse a Donkey an Ox and a Deer and it is indeed a most unusual deer, that may only be seen in Park’s, where the financial returns invested from hunting this magnificent beast continue to insure its ongoing survival.
You can read more about Pere David’s Deer by following this link: pere-david-s-deer
If you are interested in hunting a Pere David deer this June, an arrangement can be made through the Capreolus Club. Please contact me for more details:
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)
