Fallow deer behaviour

[Pete Collins]

On Wednesday afternoon I spent two and a quarter hours walking around the National Trust's Ashridge estate (on the Bucks/Herts border, though my walk was all in Herts). I was particularly looking for Fallow deer during their rut, as I had a very good deer walk at the same time last year.

It was a little disappointing in that I only heard two bucks roaring, and didn't see either of them (I managed to see and photo some large bucks last year). But I did have an amazing number of deer sightings - I lost count, but it was at least 15 or 16. One was about 80 deer in a large pasture (where I often see such numbers), and another was a mature buck (big antlers) with a young buck (two prongs for antlers). All the other sightings were of small groups of does, between 1 and 4 in number.

So I have a couple of questions. Firstly, is it normal at this time of the year for the does to be in such small groups? I have seen similar small groups throughout the year, but there are normally larger groups as well.

Secondly, is it normal for an immature buck to accompany an adult buck, as if he's 'learning the ropes'? On my walk last year, I noticed such pairings several times.

[mbaldw]

Hi Pete,

the rutting behaviour of Fallow deer varies according to location and age of the buck, so it's always a little difficult to predict what you'll see, but neither of the points you raise are uncommon in this species.

Firstly, is it normal at this time of the year for the does to be in such small groups? I have seen similar small groups throughout the year, but there are normally larger groups as well.

While many species, Fallow included, are gregarious, the large groups tend to be transient and only occur in areas of good feeding. In Fallow, the does form more stable, typically familial, groups that typically number between two and five individuals. This time of year, the bucks move into the females' favoured feeding areas and may establish leks (attracting does in the vicinity with their groans) or round-up does. In open pastures several bucks may establish leks near to each other and this can draw a considerable number of females. I was in the New Forest on Friday and saw a number of small groups of does 'milling' around a large buck amongst the trees that was groaning every few minutes. I also saw small groups of smaller bucks wandering in the woods and even a single buck and single doe together. Based on my observations in the Forest, it seems that Fallow here tend to be in smaller groups in the woodland or on the heath during the day, aggregating in open grassland (e.g. Queen's Meadow) later in the afternoon/evening - given that they are often there early in the morning, they presumably remain in the field overnight. You can certainly hear the bucks groaning on the New Forest Gateway webcam, even though it's too dark to actually see them.

Secondly, is it normal for an immature buck to accompany an adult buck, as if he's 'learning the ropes'? On my walk last year, I noticed such pairings several times.

Was the adult buck actively involved in the rut (i.e. groaning, thrashing etc.), or were the two just wandering and feeding together? In my experience, smaller/immature males are often tolerated by rutting males provided they aren't perceived as posing much competition, and don't get too close to the females. On Friday we also came across a Red stag with a group of about a dozen hinds; he was happy for a couple of smaller stags to be in the same area of heather, but when they ventured within less than about 10m of the hinds he'd get up and rather half-heartedly chase them off. In Fallow I have never noticed rutting stags to be particularly bothered by smaller (often called 'satellite') bucks nearby. Outside the rutting season, males form more transient bachelor groups and it seems that in immature bucks, some of these groupings may last well into the rutting season. As far as I know, there is no evidence that Fallow bucks are 'taught' how to rut by mature individuals, although that's not to say that they couldn't pick up a few pointers by watching the 'pros' - I think the crucial factor is that the rutting buck shouldn't see you as a potential competitor if you want to stay and watch!

Cheers,
Marc.

[Pete Collins]

Thanks Marc, for a very interesting and informative reply!

No, the mature and junior bucks I saw together didn't seem to be actively involved in the rut, though they were close to several small groups of does and close to where I heard bucks groaning last year. But last year I'm sure I saw a similar pair where the very impressive older buck was definitely groaning.

The groaning or roaring definitely carries some distance. I heard another buck in another part of Ashridge on Saturday, that must have been a quarter of a mile away.

I may possibly take another look this week - I'd like to get some more photos, if I can. I know they say that the best time to see the rut is 'first thing in the morning', but unfortunately that's a concept I've never managed to get my head round!

[mbaldw]

Hi Pete,

glad I was able to help. You're right about the groaning carrying considerable distance - it was almost eerie turning up at Blackwater carpark for the WAB meet last year and standing listening to the resonating groans of Fallow in the pitch blackness!

With regards to the best times for rutting activity, in my experience this tends to be either dawn or dusk (deer are generally more active at these times), although if there's plenty of competition you can get action throughout the day. Another WAB member (rogpow) got some nice shots of rutting bucks clashing earlier this month that, if memory serves, was filmed late afternoon. The benefit of early morning, from a photographic perspective at least, is that the light is generally getting better, rather than worse.

Good luck!

Cheers,
Marc.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by mbaldw

Hi Pete,

glad I was able to help. You're right about the groaning carrying considerable distance - it was almost eerie turning up at Blackwater carpark for the WAB meet last year and standing listening to the resonating groans of Fallow in the pitch blackness!
.

are you sure it was the deer ? if it was a wab meet the groaning was probably boddie waking up

[rogpow]

Originally Posted by mbaldw

Another WAB member (rogpow) got some nice shots of rutting bucks clashing earlier this month that, if memory serves, was filmed late afternoon.

Yes Marc, it was about 4pm.

This afternoon at Queen's Meadow at about the same time there were 6 Fallow bucks, a couple of prickets and about 50 does together in the meadow. Mating took place as did a bit of half-hearted clashes between a couple of smaller bucks, but generally they all seemed to tolerate one-another.

Cheers,
Rog