Fallow Deer Rut 2011

[MP]

Hi,
I was just wondering if anyone else has tried to observe there local WILD Fallow Deer Rutting this year,and have noticed a distinct lack of large Bucks. I am told by someone involved in Deer management,that he and his staff have refrained from culling any fallow with antlers including Pricketts as there is a severe lack of bucks in his area also.Has anyone else noticed a decline in the boys ?

Mark.

[mbaldw]

I've seen quite a few large bucks here in the New Forest, although I didn't notice any large Red stags this year (that's more likely to be my timing, rather than an actual lack of big stags). I also saw a few decent-sized bucks at Richmond Park when I was there in October. Did your friend speculate as to why there may be such a lack?

Cheers,
Marc.

[MP]

Hi Marc,
No he gave no reason.I am expecting it has a lot to do with how the Deer are managed locally to me,both by big organisations and local farmers.From what I understand in recent times there would seem to be a lot of encouragement from organisations like the Deer society to increase the numbers culled.In places like the ones you mentioned,Regents Park and the New Forest,I am sure the Deer are managed under strict guide lines,Personally I would not consider the Deer in Regents Park to be truly wild either.As mentioned with bucks being an easier target,I am wondering if the Deer are being managed as opposed to just hunted in my area,I do not propose I am an expert,but the chap I mentioned is,it just seemed a bit worrying that we both agreed there was a lack of boys.

Mark.

[mbaldw]

The deer on the Forest are culled by Forestry Commission rangers, but they're also shot by local estate owners and it is often these that have a habit of shooting larger 'trophy' males. Indeed, a couple of years ago we had a rather poor Red rut owing in part to many of the large stags being shot on the private estates on which they spend much of the summer.

With regards to the Richmond Park rut, I can't comment on the Fallow (we only saw a few Fallow and there wasn't much in the way of rutting activity at the time), but there was plenty of Red activity though and, although they're in a highly managed environment and very used to humans, their rutting behaviour seemed pretty wild to me (based on what I've seen and read about).

Cheers,
Marc.

p.s. Welcome to WAB.

[MP]

Thanks Marc,

Your first paragraph echoes my point and fears of hunting overriding proper management,it is what I think has happened on my Patch.With the Bucks being over culled.

Forgive my comments on the Regents Park Deer,but when you see photos of them being hand fed on Flikr ect,it`s hard to see them as truly wild.Though it seems the fallow are more tolerant for this than the Red.I wish we all respected them as well you obviously do.

Thanks for the welcome.

[mbaldw]

Forgive my comments on the Regents Park Deer,but when you see photos of them being hand fed on Flikr ect,it`s hard to see them as truly wild.

Please don't apologise; you're absolutely right. Many people do think that deer in parks must be tame (we get the same problems with the livestock on the Forest - I've seen people try and put their child on the back of a grazing pony and picking up pannage piglets to give to their children!), but it's simply not the case. While we were at Richmond there were people walking right up to roaring Red stags, apparently assuming they weren't in any danger. In the end, as you point to, a healthy respect for any wildlife, wherever you find it, is necessary.

Cheers,
Marc.