Observation on Fallow Herds

[TundB]

Hi all,
I have got an observation to share with you about herding behaviour of fallow and I would like to hear other people opinion on this.

I stalk fallow in 2 different lands in Essex and Cambridge. In the beginning of the season I see large herds, by saying large I mean around 70-80, sometime even more, mostly same sex animals in one herd and I never see small herds of 5-10. I am excluding rut and from mid of December to end of February before the temperatures start going up I mostly see either small herds of around 10-15 or smaller groups of 5-6.

Is it just a coincidence keeps happening to me or do large fallow herds get separated later in the season? Maybe after the rut or when it’s colder or maybe large herds got disturbed by getting shot by stalkers?

 

[hoodwink]

I think you’re right with pressure they split up. Where they are in areas of no pressure they stay in large herds (100 to 150) become nocturnal moving off the safe havens at night.

 

[VSS]

What you have described is pretty much the normal pattern of fallow herd behaviour, in my experience, although it sounds like yours are grouping up slightly earlier in the year than I would expect.
I don't think it's anything to do with shooting pressure.