For deer stalkers August serves as the prelude to the autumn shooting season, a gentle warm up before the ruts of the larger species get under way from late September into October, and the start of the season for females in November.
"Sika stalking during the height of the autumn rut is just one of the trips available through the Capreolus Club this autumn”
In a nutshell, from the 01st of the month, Red & Sika Stag and Fallow buck are back in season, Roebuck remain in season and during the first week or two, may still be rutting. Muntjac as ever are also in season. In fact, the only males not in season are the Chinese.
Perhaps put more simply, all females are ‘out’ except Muntjac Doe, and all males are ‘in’ except the Chinese Water deer buck.
In Scotland, things started a little earlier, on the 01st July, albeit few recreational stalkers hunt Red Stag this early, preferring instead to wait for the ‘midges’ to subside and the Red Stag to ‘break-out’ into their single sex herds.
From August we have it all ahead of us, however, a word of caution if I may.
Larger deer are very susceptible to pressure, if you are too keen to early, by the time the rut starts, you will be wondering where all your animals have gone. By all means harvest a few youngsters for the pot, thereafter, hold off, or else the animals that you have been ‘glassing’ all summer will be off-an-away to quieter locations.
Another tip. If you have been shooting Roebuck all summer, remember that the larger male species can weigh three times that of a Roebuck, so review your equipment, giving some specific thought to extraction and processing.
If you are looking to get out deer stalking this autumn during peak season, you’ll need to plan ahead. Here at County Deer Stalking through the Capreolus Club we have it all covered, with trips for Sika, Red & Fallow during the peak of the respective ruts.
If you have your own rifle, we also have the finest stalking syndicate in the south of England, with seven grounds stretching from the Cotswolds and Salisbury to Kent & West Sussex. Syndicate members also get access to ‘walked-up’ game bird shooting & rough shooting. Follow this link for more: deer-stalking-and-shooting-syndicate
To get the most from the autumn why not apply now to join this thriving friendly club: apply-now
Alternatively, if you are wanting to get into deer stalking then a great place to start is by taking the PDS1 Level 1 Certificate, you can find out more and enrol here: deer-stalking-course
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, Red Stag, Sika Stag, Fallow Buck.
OFF Season in Scotland: Roe Doe, Fallow Doe, Sika Hind, Red Hind.
(Editor - Peter S Jones)
