Red Deer Rut

[Ann2]

Yes it's that time of year again!

Now I'm a bit lazy when it comes to wildlife watching so my outing took me only as far as the great wilderness of Woburn deer park. I feel a bit of a cheat but it's a great way to get close to the deer without having to practise any stalking skills.

The weather wasn't up to much yesterday, mainly dull and cloudy but I was determined to try out my new camera. The deer were all near the marked footpaths luckily (it can be frustrating at Woburn when the deer aren't as close as you'd like, as you do have to stick to the footpaths there). Anyway, I was fairly pleased with the results of my day out.

Is anyone else venturing out this Autumn to see the deer rut?

[mh68]

Excellent shot Ann. Unfortunately the only Deer species local to me are Roes, and their rut is over.Saw a couple at a local reserve yesterday, but due to the still thick ground cover, they saw me first and ambled off so no chance of pics.
Would love to witness a Red Deer rut, whether in a deer park or otherwise

Mark H

[smartie]

Great shot, Ann. We're going to the Ashridge Estate this week to see if we can see some fallow deer. Like Woburn, not exactly wild but a good place to go to get reasonably close.

[demicav]

Great picture there. I've never seen a Deer rut myself but I'm sure it's a great thing to witness.

[beckiscott]

i'll hopefully be getting down to National Trust Dunham Massey (cheshire) again this month. i went last year but since then i've learnt a bit more about my camera and got some better lenses. Having hardly been out over summer due to work, it will be nice to do something special this autumn.

[jdurbo]

Great picture Ann2

jen xxx

[aeshna5]

Last w/e I went to Richmond Park to start the new season of wildfowl counts + the Red Deer had really started getting down to business. Hope to get back soon as it's a highlight of the British wildlife calendar!

[kev747]

I've been to Cannock chase before and only saw 3 deer all day so I am quite happy seeing the rut in a park where at least i know I will be certain to see some fairly close. Last year I spent an hour or so at my local Bradgate park in leicestershire where I was able to see several roaring stags from close range. Unfortunately they only came out on the public part of the park in the evening when the light was almost gone so I could not take any good pictures. However one stag which was herding females was less than 20 feet from the path and took no notice of any of the few people there at all and it was absolutely fantastic to watch it so close.This was on October 20th last year so I think they are yet to start. I may try and go early morning this year just in case I might get some pictures. I love the rut and autumn season.

[Blackbrook Eye]

Originally Posted by Ann2

Yes it's that time of year again!

Now I'm a bit lazy when it comes to wildlife watching so my outing took me only as far as the great wilderness of Woburn deer park. I feel a bit of a cheat but it's a great way to get close to the deer without having to practise any stalking skills.

The weather wasn't up to much yesterday, mainly dull and cloudy but I was determined to try out my new camera. The deer were all near the marked footpaths luckily (it can be frustrating at Woburn when the deer aren't as close as you'd like, as you do have to stick to the footpaths there). Anyway, I was fairly pleased with the results of my day out.

Is anyone else venturing out this Autumn to see the deer rut?

I certainly don't think its a cheat, If you want pictures, get them where they are easy, you would be stalking a good many years before getting a photo that good on the open moors, if at all. If I am not mistaken, at Bradgate Park the younger stags are moved during daytime at this time of year as they could be a danger to visitors, but the old alpha stag can usually be seen lying around in a paddock surrounded by his hinds. At Chatsworh Park however, I have seen stags actually fighting on the roadway, that was a few years ago though and things may have changed. Lovely picture Ann !!!!

[glsammy]

Well done Ann, and definitely not cheating! I'd love to be able to get a shot like this.
I'm thinking of going over to Chatsworth next week, knowing my luck I doubt I'll even find the deers!