Fallow rutting

[shovel leaner 7,648]

I was out at last light yesterday and heard the unmistakable sound of antlers clashing . I watched these two bucks really having a go . It’s a bit early,  but the rut is on its way.

[FOXHUNTER 5,020]

Do you have traditional rutting stands on your ground SL.

[sussex 5,776]

Earliest I’ve heard them is 21st sept , that was a few years back and it seemed to stop for a couple of weeks before starting again in early Oct ...has it been cold up your way SL ..? 

[Tyla 3,179]

The park reds have been going for a few days now, not heard fallow yet but expecting them any day. Every thing has been early this year

[shovel leaner 7,648]

The Fallow here used to be just visitors, when they started culling them in the national trust woodlands behind us and the pressure was too much they came here around Christmas time . In the last 6 or 7 years they have become resident , so no real traditional rutting stands . This is the earliest I’ve seen Fallow rutting but this year has been strange. The roe were stop start , so my guess is it will be the same with the fallow. The weather has not been cold , it’s been very mild . 

[foxdropper 17,092]

I manage a small closed herd of fallow for a local College and the bucks are at it proper .Belching ,fighting and scraping .Had to cull one of the old bucks that had been pinned upside down against the wire .When I’d shot him the master buck ran at him and pushed him 5 m along the ground before he died . Last year he was fully palmated bu5 fish tailed this year .Estimated age 8 years .

 

[sussex 5,776]

Spoke to my pal today who’s looking after one of my places , he said they were going at it the weekend .He knocked over a couple of prickets and see a couple of older bucks ..None of the big boys has shown up yet but it’s early days ..

[Tyla 3,179]

We shot a couple this evening. Both were smelling very rutty

[C.green 3,203]

Whats a good age for a buck ? 10 ? 
 

Not heard anything happening near me but few people saying they hearing em

[wilbur foxhound 480]

How long does the fallow rut last,w

[shovel leaner 7,648]

To be honest how long is a piece of string ? The rut takes place usually in October . The books will tell you 7 - 10 days , but it’s really hard to tell with wild fallow ( not park animals) . You can tell when it’s on as the bucks will separate the youngsters from the mothers , and break up the doe herds . You will know it’s over when they get back together. Also you will see your bucks back together. However the buck meat can still have that testosterone “twang” into December I’ve noticed. 
         I’ve finished my buck culling now , and won’t take any till about 10th December if the game dealer wants them for the Christmas trade .

[wilbur foxhound 480]

I just read on Wikipedia that the rut can last up to 135 days,w

[shovel leaner 7,648]

18 hours ago, wilbur foxhound said:

I just read on Wikipedia that the rut can last up to 135 days,w

Not sure about that , late September till early November as a rule of thumb .

[foxdropper 17,092]

Kick started by cold weather .Cant beat being there with any of the larger deer in the rut ,love it .

[wilbur foxhound 480]

Red deer rut in on the now also