We explain why late July and early August is the optimum time of year to be stalking Roebuck.
Roe are perhaps the UK’s most treasured species of deer and are one of only two species that are truly native to the UK. The other native species is Red, but unlike Red, Roe deer are distributed widely and relatively evenly across much of the British Isles.
Typically, Roe in the wild, will give birth to twin kids and with no natural predation, to avoid over population and death through starvation, disease and collisions with motor vehicles, it is a required that around 30% of the population should be culled each year.
Not only is this important for the well-being of the species, selective culling also ensures a good balance of biodiversity in the countryside and wonderful opportunity to harvest a sustainable, wild source of food.
So, when is the best time to be out in search of these elegant little deer? Well, the end of July and early part of August mark the rut and during this period in the deer’s annual cycle there is a wonderful opportunity to observe Roe when they are at their most active.
It’s also the only time in the year when a well-executed ‘call’, which usually consists of a ‘peep’ ‘peep’ on a ‘Buttalo call’, or similar Roe call, will stand a real chance of bringing in a Roebuck like a dog to its handler’s whistle.
The rut is a superb time to be out, but time of year is not the only variable when it comes to success. Hot humid weather is best, avoid a full moon when most of the activity happens at night and remember that the rut usually kicks off later in the north of the UK than in the south.
Of course, the best way to ensure success, is to book with a professional guide, who will know where to find the deer and how to execute a ‘call’ that bears some resemblance to the real thing! However, for those wishing to go it alone, it’s worth swatting up on some of our top tips for stalking during this year’s Roe rut. The following provides you with a great deal of what you need to know, including links to films showing some of the action from previous years: roebuck-stalking-everything-you-need-to-know
At County Deer Stalking success rates are high because we have been professionally guiding clients for approaching two decades, we also have some great stalking grounds throughout the south of England, which include thousands of acres of top-class ground that is devoted entirely to the Capreolus Club syndicate. If you know what you are doing, have PDS1 or DSC1, you are still just in time to join the syndicate before the start of this year’s rut. You can find out more about the syndicate stalking scheme here: plus-scheme
Alternatively, if you’d like to learn how to stalk deer, a great place to start is by doing the PDS1 Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1. Click here to learn more: deer-stalking-course
On to this month’s film, and we’ve got something very special for you, we have got our hands on a Pre-war .303 Lee-Enfield which we are using in the field to hunt Roebuck. It’s an absolute corker of a film if I do say so. Click here to watch it now: youtube.com/watch
Finally, this month, we are also delighted to announce that County Deer Stalking & Capreolus Club have become key corporate supporters of the ‘Country Food Trust’ Charity. You can find out more about this fabulous charity and how we are going to raise money here: we-support-the-country-food-trust
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, Red Stag, Sika Stag.
OFF Season in Scotland: Roe Doe, Fallow Doe, Fallow Buck, Sika Hind, Red Hind.
(Peter Jones - Editor)
