How do deer behave during the month of December?
(Christmas represents a great Opportunity to remind people of what a great meat venison can be)
At County Deer Stalking, we have, during October and November, been concentrating our efforts on Fallow deer. However, during December we will also be turning our attentions, once again, to our other main species, Roe Deer.
Roe at this time of year are forming family groups, and as a result of our not having pressured them over the preceding months, are less ‘flighty’ than their Fallow counterparts. This allows us to more readily observe these animals out in the open, something which can result in some excellent opportunities to ‘spot and stalk’.
The increased visibility of Roe comes at a fortunate time. The bucks have now cast their antlers and so greater care needs to be taken in identifying the Doe from the Buck. Selection of the right sex demands a keen eye and good pair of binoculars. Look carefully for the ‘anal tush’ that, thankfully, becomes more visible as a result of the Does thick winter coat.
Muntjac deer will, more than likely, also be taken with greater frequency during December, now that the woods are bare and the ground cover in which they are usually hidden is diminished.
Elsewhere the demands on deer managers are much the same as the preceding month. Deer stalkers across the country continue to turn their hands to meeting the demands of their doe and hind cull. This will increasingly be undertaken by professional deer stalkers and managers, especially so in Scotland now that the weather has become more harsh.
Whatever the species being stalked, with Christmas comes an increased demand for venison. Whilst the popularity of venison is increasing, it is still a meat that is traditionally only thought of during the winter months and in particular during the festive season. This is a great shame, and I suspect, in the main, is due simply to a lack of education about the availability of venison throughout the rest of the year.
At any rate Christmas represents a great opportunity for us to remind people of what a great meat Venison can be, and there is no better way of doing so than by providing a prime joint of Venison to go hand in hand with the Christmas Turkey alternative.
Whatever you choose to be eating for Christmas this year, let me take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas!
For more information about Venison, the health benefits, and where you can get your hands on some, take a look at the following link: venison
IN Season in England & Wales: Roe Does, Fallow Does & Fallow Buck, Sika Stags & Sika Hinds, Red Stags & Red Hinds, CWD Bucks & CWD Does, Muntjac Buck & Muntjac Does.
OFF Season in England & Wales: Roe Buck.
In Season in Scotland: Fallow Buck, Fallow Does, Roe Does, Sika Hinds, Red Hinds.
Off Season in Scotland: Red Stags, Sika Stags & Roe Buck
Peter Jones - Editor
