Don’t be too worried by the deer ID test – there are no trick pictures and all will have at least some of the species ID features easily visible. Look for:
Sika – pale metatarsal patch on hock, ‘frowny’ face, thin black line down centre of middle-length tail, dark caudal markings extend down almost to the hocks. Brow tines of stags come off main beam at 45 degrees and stags normally only produce 8 point heads. (If the deer is adult and spotted, it can only be fallow or sika!).
Fallow – rather longer tail than sika with thick line down centre (if common or menil variety), distinct upside down horseshoe marking around caudal patch, palmated antlers on bucks (you are not tested on colour variations with fallow and pictures will probably be of the common variety anyway – as with all pictures, all the examiners will want is species & sex)
Red – large deer, short tail, pale or lemony coloured rump patch, brow tines of stags come off main beam at 90 degrees, if more than 4 points on each side of the head it's probably red not sika
Roe – distinct white spots below nostrils, no visible tail, anal tush on does (if you can see the tush it can only be a roe doe!)
CWD – ‘teddy bear’ face, hairy rounded ears, button eyes/nose, short stubby tail, uniform colour, rump habitually higher than shoulders, easily visible canines on mature bucks (which never have antlers)
Muntjac – V shaped marking running up pedicles (buck) or diamond dark patch on forehead (doe), ears almost hairless inside & transluscent, short legs & pig-like appearance, thick mid length chestnut/brown tail with white underside
If the deer is adult and spotted, it can only be fallow or sika!
If the animal is male, there will be clear evidence of antlers, velvet or at least pronounced pedicles; if it’s a CWD buck the canines will be easily visible.
If you go through Stones pictures with these notes, you’ll see how easy it is – honest! And if you have to guess, just eliminate what the picture can’t be of first.
Hope this helps.