Watching Deer - a guide from the British Deer Society

Watching deer in the wild where they can exhibit natural behaviour is a wonderful and rewarding experience. For many however the opportunity to see deer can only be achieved by visiting parks where deer are managed in a herd and often become used to the presence of humans. To get the best out of either experience it is best if the deer are unaware that you are there. A few simple rules of field craft can help you: 

• The best time of day is either in the early morning or the late evening when deer are moving about in search of food and grazing.
• Move slowly and quietly and look ahead using binoculars to "see" into the undergrowth.
• Use the lie of the land and undergrowth to hide your approach.
• Try to walk up wind if you can - although park deer are used to the scent of man wild deer will be gone before you knew they were there.
• Look for the signs of deer presence such as hoof prints which are known as slots, droppings known as crotties or fewmets, and hair caught on barbed wire fences. With experience you will also be able to spot where the deer lie down at night known as crouches, and where they have caused damage to trees by browsing, bark stripping and fraying.
• Carry a camera - there is always a chance of that "once in a lifetime" photograph.

Dogs

You are unlikely to see deer if you are walking a dog. If you are, and you know deer are present such as on a deer park, keep your dog on a lead. During May and June dogs kill and injure a large number of newborn deer which they discover in undergrowth. At this time of year in particular please keep your dog under control.

The Rut

The rut generally takes place between late September and early November. It must not be forgotten that even park deer, which are very used to humans, are wild animals. During the rut the stags and bucks  develop sharp and dangerous antlers. They are full of hormones and testosterone and are likely to demonstrate aggressive behaviour. Walkers and deer watchers have been attacked by male deer on a number of occasions. Furthermore, a large number of people trying to observe the rut at close quarters can disrupt the normal behaviour patterns, which is very detrimental to the deer. During 2009 in the New Forest the rut took place mostly at night because of disturbance by humans. Try to resist getting too close or you will upset the deer and see nothing. Stay back and use binoculars or, even better, a telescope on a tripod.

Deer are iconic creatures - our largest land mammals. Do enjoy watching them but please remember to give them space to behave normally and naturally.

The British Deer Society - September 2010