Fallow behaviour cold snap
- Thread starter dryan
- Start date
shotguntom
Well-Known Member
Id expect them to come out if there isn't enough food for them in the forest / cover.
deerstalker.308
Well-Known Member
Shot 2 out of the forest on arable in -5 hard frost and snow on Wednesday morning..... they were quite happy (until I showed up and ruined their day)
www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk
Nice frosty fallow
Decided to try and fox the dog walkers which seem to have largely put pay to most of my stalking of late, so up and out this morning before first light. clear and bright with the hard frost it was easy to pick out deer before legal light and get into a good position. Took a nice buck which was...
www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk
That's helped, worthwhile going out in the morning then!
ive had 7 the last 3 outings this week, 2 in woodland the rest out on grass
deerstalker.308
Well-Known Member
Always stand more chance when you’re out than when you’re tucked up in bed...... got to be in it to win it....
Due to lockdown and working from home I was out 4 days out of 5 last week, sometimes I need a rest!
At least getting out stalking makes covid lockdown a bit more bearable.
Do you have a market for the meat? (Just curious! )
StephenToast
Well-Known Member
Tend to find if it's just a short cold snap, a day or two they tuck up. Anything more than two days and they get hungry and they are everywhere.
This time of year food is scarce enough that they more or less have to come out.
This time of year food is scarce enough that they more or less have to come out.
Sampo
Well-Known Member
Saw a huge herd (around 50+) deer in the middle of a field just off the junction between M25 and A12. They were grazing right in the middle of the field and I was surprised at the numbers. Looked too big to be Roe and it has to be Fallow unless there's Sika around there. Not sure who owns the permission out there but its one good permissions to have.
Monkey Spanker
Well-Known Member
Deer will often go into 'reverse cycle' when it is cold like this.
They do not like to eat frosted vegetation, and who can blame them?
It is not unusual to see them beginning to emerge at the end of a morning stalk when you've probably seen nothing!
Just after you've gone home, they will be out feeding on vegetation that the sun has thawed. They then disappear into cover again just before you come back for an evening stalk and the frost has formed again!
Try staying in bed, and then go out later in the morning sun! It will be much warmer and you are more likely to see deer!
MS
They do not like to eat frosted vegetation, and who can blame them?
It is not unusual to see them beginning to emerge at the end of a morning stalk when you've probably seen nothing!
Just after you've gone home, they will be out feeding on vegetation that the sun has thawed. They then disappear into cover again just before you come back for an evening stalk and the frost has formed again!
Try staying in bed, and then go out later in the morning sun! It will be much warmer and you are more likely to see deer!
MS
deerstalker.308
Well-Known Member
And dog walkers sadly....
Essex stalker
Well-Known Member
They are fallow, there are loads of them in that area
Sampo
Well-Known Member
Do you happen to know who might own the land or who manages the land? Its within driving distance and would happily help out to manage the population. Don't know the area that well though.
deerstalker.308
Well-Known Member
Shoe on the other foot, say it’s your ground and some bloke on a forum is asking who’s it is and questioning whether they need a hand as you can see there is a massive group which looks like promising stalking..... not really the right way to go about things I would suggest. How would you feel if it was yours? I know I would instantly be on the defensive!
Thankfully not an issue for me. Can imagine how difficult it can be though, used to have issues when I lived in Cheshire though.
Don't see another person all day here, suits me
Sampo
Well-Known Member
If it was mine, I would probably get all the help I can get. I do know that the virus has caused an increase of deer population and we all could do with a helping hand at times. Also what if there was no shoe and the ground wasn't managed at all. It could allow for someone who knows the area to maybe get a new permission or for the permission to reliase that there might be deer on his/ her land.
I don't personally believe in biting off more than I can chew and conservation in my view is doing what is right. Its better than deer causing accidents as its next to a busy highway. Just my point of view.
FISH BOY
Well-Known Member
charlieboy-shooter
Well-Known Member
A lot of the Deer off the A12/M25 get onto Southweald park. My understanding is the land is well covered there and believe it or not large numbers are shot. Despite the big herds. It’s just the nature of it this time of year. I see similar things in other areas and can usually find /see big herds which are often sitting / grazing on land which I know isn’t shot as the landowner is not interested and like the deer. That’s often why they are out in the safe zones. Can stalk right up to them if I get it right but unless they cross the boundaries they are safe. Very Frustrating. They know the area’s. All that said no one or groups can be out covering all the land constantly but the persistent pressure of shooting and the need for them to feed means they are often easily found in daylight this time of year but don’t venture onto easier pickings until just after proper dark.
Edit. That said. If it was easy then it would soon get boring not to mention they would eventually be Eliminated.
Edit. That said. If it was easy then it would soon get boring not to mention they would eventually be Eliminated.
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