Roe Rut 2023

[@theroedeerguy]

Not quite underway here in Fife but a few indications that it isn’t far off.
Took this Roe buck on Saturday morning and he was charged up and moving with purpose patrolling his territory.
I had difficulty finding him in thick cover but thanks to a local stalker with his excellent HWV deer dog I managed to get him recovered.

 

[Chill 123]

Traditionally around here the Roe Rut is around last week in July - first week in August. Hopefully this years will be an active one , as some years you wouldn't even know there had been a rut, but the does still get pregnant?

Chill

 

[Mungo]

Not quite underway here in Fife but a few indications that it isn’t far off.
Took this Roe buck on Saturday morning and he was charged up and moving with purpose patrolling his territory.
I had difficulty finding him in thick cover but thanks to a local stalker with his excellent HWV deer dog I managed to get him recovered.


View attachment 318372

Roughly where in Fife?

 

[@theroedeerguy]

Roughly where in Fife?

North East Fife and also some pretty good going territorial behaviour in Central Fife.

In other parts of the country I did see footage posted yesterday from Chris Roger’s at Euston Estate in Suffolk of a buck responding well to the buttallo call.

I’d imagine that the thundery weather might well bring them on a bit.

Previously had good responses to the call around 26th July.

 

[Mungo]

North East Fife and also some pretty good going territorial behaviour in Central Fife.

In other parts of the country I did see footage posted yesterday from Chris Roger’s at Euston Estate in Suffolk of a buck responding well to the buttallo call.

I’d imagine that the thundery weather might well bring them on a bit.

Previously had good responses to the call around 26th July.

Great - thanks very much.

 

[Pete6.5]

You can normally call young bucks from the start of July but that doesn't mean they are rutting. From my experience the big boys keep their heads down and save their energy until first week in August. I see the big boys at the beginning of the season then they vanish until the rut properly starts. And when people don't see lots of rutting behavior it's normally because they don't have high densities of does. If you think about it if you only have 5 does you have to land your stalking day on one of a few days but if you have 50 plus does your chances massively improve on going out on a day one is hot to trot.

 

[Dave Lakes]

Cumbria- First year bucks coming in very keen to buttalo (3 at the same time last night), anything mature seems to have disappeared for now.

 

[@theroedeerguy]

I’d agree to disagree with you there Pete.

The theory that more Roe does means more bucks and bigger bucks is an old wives tale that is the usual nonsense spouted by lazy guides that don’t put any effort into a doe cull.

I actively manage the male and female Roe population on my permissions and the quality of bucks is determined by the habitat and soil type.

Just like bucks, dominant Roe does’ will secure the best habitat and ensure that they get their pick of the best bucks in the area.

Quantity is not a guarantee of quality.

 

[Pete6.5]

I’d agree to disagree with you there Pete.

The theory that more Roe does means more bucks and bigger bucks is an old wives tale that is the usual nonsense spouted by lazy guides that don’t put any effort into a doe cull.

I actively manage the male and female Roe population on my permissions and the quality of bucks is determined by the habitat and soil type.

Just like bucks, dominant Roe does’ will secure the best habitat and ensure that they get their pick of the best bucks in the area.

Quantity is not a guarantee of quality.

I'm mainly commenting on the quality of the rut rather than big medal heads.

 

[Pete6.5]

I’d agree to disagree with you there Pete.

The theory that more Roe does means more bucks and bigger bucks is an old wives tale that is the usual nonsense spouted by lazy guides that don’t put any effort into a doe cull.

I actively manage the male and female Roe population on my permissions and the quality of bucks is determined by the habitat and soil type.

Just like bucks, dominant Roe does’ will secure the best habitat and ensure that they get their pick of the best bucks in the area.

Quantity is not a guarantee of quality.

When it comes to the really big heads I've been lucky to stalk over thousands of acres in some of the best areas in the country and most of the golds have come from the same very small areas again and again. One friend of mine had the stalking on a thousand acre farm and it became a running joke that the biggest buck would always turn up on a small 5 arce piece of grass. And when it comes to soil type I was always a very strong believer that the best heads come from chalk downland but then I picked up a small farm on very heavy wet clay ground and it has produced some monsters right up into the 160 to 170 bracket.

 

[camodog]

I was foxing in Cumbria last Friday night and watched a buck chasing a doe around for quite some time.

 

[Dave Lakes]

I was foxing in Cumbria last Friday night and watched a buck chasing a doe around for quite some time.

Roughly what part of you don’t mind saying?

 

[6.5-284austin]

Hope it’s starts in the north west soon

 

[camodog]

Roughly what part of you don’t mind saying?

Tebay area.

 

[Sol]

I have never witnessed the rut for really any species first year I will get to witness the roe rut I'm never stalking this time of year given all my friends are dealing with there birds.
My great uncle has been keeping tabs on his perm outside of town no major activity yet although we've been having stormy weather for the last week so its given.

I've been out and about since a young teenager (not shooting myself) but out with adults that stalk and I've only witnessed two bucks be shot in that several year timeframe, ouch!

 

[Bill Bartlett]

Saw an old buck hotly chasing a doe yesterday.....

 

[CookM]

I was foxing in Cumbria last Friday night and watched a buck chasing a doe around for quite some time.

Same in East Devon a few nights back.
They ran right up to me in the thermal .

 

[JH83]

Saw a good 6 pointer with a doe at 10.30am yesterday, and few fields over saw 2 spikers marching around territory periphery. Lots of barking in the woods this AM. They are stirring up a bit.

 

[Pete6.5]

I watched a buck chasing a doe flat out last night but it doesn't mean he's going to get his leg over

 

[@theroedeerguy]

I watched a buck chasing a doe flat out last night but it doesn't mean he's going to get his leg over

From a male perspective I can relate to that experience!