The roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is the most widespread ungulate in Europe from the deer family (Cervidae). We can find it both in the lowlands and in the mountains. In the south and in the north. The roe deer is found in all possible biotopes of the landscape.
At the same time, it is the smallest representative of deer in Europe. The weight ranges from 15 to 30 kg. It measures around 75 cm at the withers. Compared to fallow deer or deer, it has an indistinct tail (tail), which is stunted and the length corresponds to approximately 2 cm. The coloration of the roe deer is different in summer and winter. The summer coat is reddish-rust brown with a faint white mirror (anal area), while in winter the coat is dark gray with a dense undercoat and a very prominent white mirror at the back.
The main morphological feature between the doe and the roe deer is the antlers that the roe deer wears. It puts on these antlers during the winter, knocks them out in May and June (depending on the age of the individual) and sheds the antlers sometime at the end of November and during December.
The antlers of the roe deer are not at all prominent. They grow to a height of around 25 cm in strongly established individuals. They can be strong with massive pearling.
A six-pack is typical for roe deer. Already strongly established individuals have a six-year-old in the first year of life (yearlings). The largest and strongest trophy is usually a 5-year-old roe deer. From this age, the mass of the antlers tends to decrease. Throughout its life, the roe deer is ideally shaped like a six.
Roe deer antlers belong to one of the most variable antlers among cervids. It can surprise with different shapes, whether genetically determined, different damage or spontaneous growth. In any case, this is one part of hunters for very interesting trophies, because these rarities are often original.
For example, an antler can grow that is a typical hexagon and the other antler is turned downwards, etc. The commonly occurring shapes of antlers are bulk (yearlings), canine, sable, six (right), eight. Of course, they can also be irregular.
The roe deer is not demanding on environmental conditions. It is found both in forest complexes, and also lives in completely open fields or in suburban agglomerations. It is a territorial animal, so it is found in one area all its life.
The roe deer is a peaceful animal that can be seen even in daylight in the fields or various meadows when it grazes. They go for walks at regular intervals, and according to some individuals, their watches could be adjusted.
After winter, when roe deer herds break up, roe deer begin to defend their territories. This manifests itself mostly at the beginning of the growing season during the end of April and during May. At these times, it is possible to see how an older and stronger roe deer chases a weaker one and tries to drive it out of its territory.
Roe deer live solitary lives during the growing season. They live in their draw in the same place at the right time every day they go out to graze. They graze in the early hours of the morning, in the morning, in the afternoon, in the early evening and in the dark. So it is possible to meet him almost at any time.
Does lay fawns in late May and early June. Usually one or two. It is not unusual to see a doe with three fawns. The fawns have camouflage coloring to blend in with the surrounding flowers in the meadows where the fawns lay them. Fawns are brown with white dots all over. They are odorless and stand still waiting for the doe to milk them.
In the last week of July and the first week of August, the doe rut peaks. A roe deer does not show itself by honking like a stag or neighing like a fallow deer. The biggest sign of an ongoing roe deer rut is when the roe deer chase the doe in circles on the cut stubble and do not take too much care. During this period, roe deer can be safely approached at a relatively short distance.
October roe deer show themselves by low whistling, thereby attracting roe deer. This sound can be used when hunting and lures deer. If he is interested, he will run right up to the hunter. Also during rut, roe deer leave their territories and go elsewhere. Thanks to this, hunters can manage to spot a completely unknown and interesting roe deer, which until now has been hiding somewhere else.
In the fall, the roe deer slowly starts changing its color to the winter fur and goes back to the herds, where it will spend the whole winter.
Roe deer can be hunted according to legislation from May 1 to the end of September. Hunting times may vary in other states. However, the beginning of the hunting season can be used to hunt weak roe deer or yearlings, which over time hide in grasses and undergrowth from stronger roe deer and their hunting can be problematic.
Therefore, it is ideal to hunt these roe deer before the end of May, before the vegetation grows and makes hunting more difficult.
The most beautiful season for deer hunting is, of course, the deer rut, when the deer are very active and can be hunted at almost any time of the day. The usual time to hunt is either early in the morning or at light in the early evening.
Roe deer can only be hunted individually or by hunting. Hunters can take advantage of the deer’s regularity, when it comes out almost every day in the same place at the same time, and thus adjust the way they hunt. Whether it is a newly built hunting facility or a shelter. On the other hand, nothing is ever simple and the deer can surprise and appear at a different time or in a completely different place.
Abroad, you can also hunt red deer with a hunting bow, which can be a very interesting hunt, but this hunting must be applied by hunters who really know how to shoot with a bow. To verify their skills, they have to pass very complex tests that authorize them to hunt in this way. The game is then hunted at a distance of about 30 meters with an arrow that has sharp metal tips and is intended for hunting. The animal cuts important blood vessels and the animal very quickly loses consciousness and bleeds to death.
The difference between a hit by a bullet and an arrow is that when hit by a bullet, there is also damage to the surrounding tissues caused by the very intense transmission of the energy of the bullet. In both cases, however, the animal will almost immediately go into hemorrhagic shock (dramatic drop in blood pressure), the subsequent loss of consciousness and the subsequent bleeding out of the animal.
During the doe rut, it is definitely worth trying the method of hunting with the help of decoys. With the decoy, the hunter tries to whistle in several short intervals and imitate the sound of the fallow deer. Skilled and experienced hunters can do this on grass without the help of a decoy by placing a thin blade of grass between the thumbs and gently blowing. If the hunter does it well, the deer will jump up to the hunter, or at least become interested in the origin of the sound.
Roe deer are hunted with shotguns in common calibers for most ungulates such as 7×57; 7 x 64; 30 06; . 270 win .308 win; 8 x 57. Roe deer is a relatively small animal, therefore smaller calibers of the 6.5 mm series or .243 win can also be used. Both have excellent ballistic properties at a distance and sufficient impact energy for deer.
Roe deer is good to be properly familiar with, so good observation equipment is also needed that can see well in daylight, as roe deer can only be hunted in daylight, or an hour before sunrise or an hour after sunset.
If the hunter decides to bait, he will need a decoy, a so-called cherry decoy, which is a traditional wooden deer decoy with possible pitch adjustment. Of course, there is an abundance of decoys on the market that are made of plastic or other materials.
In roe deer hunting, the main trophy is the antlers, which have the typical shape of a hexagon, but as mentioned in the introduction, the roe deer has the most possible variations and shapes of antlers.
For some hunters, cages, which are exceptionally grown upper canines, can also be a trophy. It is rather a rarity with roe deer, but a common thing with red deer.
Another trophy can be the hunter’s bezoar ball, which again occurs rarely. This is a mineralized formation that can be found exceptionally in roe deer in the rumen. In essence, these are indigestible food residues that are coated with minerals (e.g. calcium) and are smooth and rounded by frequent rolling in the digestive tract.
Bezoars are more common in bezoar goats, mouflons, chamois or camels.
Meat from the roe deer is dark red in color and has a lovely mild, spicy aroma. The meat itself is aromatic to the taste. The meat is tender, tender and suitable for various culinary preparations.
The thighs, shoulders and back are the most prized parts of venison. The meat can be roasted in whole parts or in slices. The tenderloin, which is very popular in gastronomy, is excellent.
We hope you found this article useful!
Your Huntastic Team
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