As the summer temperatures soar, Peter Jones secures evidence that the 2019 Roebuck Rut is underway.
The Roe deer rut is typically initiated in late July and early August by a spell of warm humid weather. With the mercury reaching record highs in the mid to late 30’s this summer, it is unsurprising that the rut is already now underway in the south of England.
Its not often that things happen so quickly, but on the 23rd July this year within ten minutes of setting out and my first use of the Buttalo Roe call, my client George, who was over from the States, had 'grassed' his first ever Roebuck and the first of this year’s Roe rut.
Increasingly these days I find that I get the best reaction by giving the ‘Buttalo Call’ some welly! So poised and waiting in one of our favoured high-seats in Hampshire, I wasted no time in doing so.
(Left; My favoured rifle/calibre/scope combo for Roebuck Stalking. A Sauer 202 Elegance in .243, fitted with Swarovski Z6i Scope - A prettier more effective rifle/scope combination for summer Roe stalking is hard to find).
To his credit, it was George that first spotted the beast about 200 yards out, as it trotted up the track toward us. Keen to secure himself a nice representative six-pointer to take back to the U.S, George waited for the Roebuck to come a little closer and for my confirmation, before taking a well-placed heart-lung shot at 65 yards, as the animal responded nicely to the call and turned broadside.
A short final dash and we had our first Roebuck of the rut.
It is a sign of a hunter and professional stalkers maturity that they are able to let some deer pass and so it was, that two further Roebuck and a doe were also lured to the call but left to go on their way
For hunters and stalkers in the UK and from abroad, the Roe rut is a highlight of the summer months and it was a joy to be involved once again in one of the most special events that the UK countryside has to offer.
If you’d like to learn ‘How to call a Roebuck’ then watch this film for a Roe calling master class. youtube
If you’d like to learn more about deer stalking or would like to book an outing then why not contact County Deer Stalking on 0203 981 0159 / 0208 239 7311 or email
On the 2nd August this year County Deer Stalking's official members club - the 'Capreolus Club' will be holding it’s: ‘Best of the Roe Rut and Commencement of the Fallow Buck Season - Roe Rut Special event stalk day'. roe-rut-start-of-the-fallow-buck-season
If you are interested in these types of events, then why not contact the chairman Peter Jones on 0208 239 7311 or email:
