Hunting the Fallow Deer – An Unforgettable Experience

Have you ever sat in a hunting stand, heart pounding, breath held, as the majestic silhouette of a fallow buck slowly emerged from the forest shadows? I have. And it’s a moment I’ll never forget.

The day started like any other. Morning mist rolled lazily over the meadow, and I chose one of my favorite stands. My goal was clear – to harvest a mature fallow buck, ideally during the rut, when their activity increases and they start their deep, resonant calling.

The rut of the fallow deer (Dama dama) typically takes place from late October to mid-November, depending on weather and region. During this time, bucks gather around rutting grounds, where they call loudly and compete for does. The call, known as groaning, sounds like a deep rasp and can carry hundreds of meters.

The first does arrived quietly, followed by a young spike. Then he appeared. A confident, proud buck with a royal bearing and antlers like a crown.

Fallow bucks are usually categorized into:

• 1st age class – up to 3 years old, typically spikes or bucks with small antlers,

• 2nd age class – 4 to 6 years old, mature bucks with well-formed palms,

• 3rd age class – 7+ years, often with massive antlers and experienced behavior.

In summer coat, fallow deer have reddish-brown fur with white spots. In winter, they turn greyish-brown and the spots fade. The rump patch – a white area surrounded by a black border – is a characteristic feature that helps them stay together in herds.

I took the shot. It was precise. The buck ran a few meters, stopped, staggered, and fell. I sat in silence, taking in the stillness after the shot. It was one of those rare, raw moments of connection with nature.

Fallow deer have been part of Central Europe since medieval times, when they were bred in noble game preserves. Today, they roam freely in mixed forests and open meadows.

No matter the season – when you're wearing a Bad Badger shirt, your hunts will be unforgettable. Because hunting is more than a harvest. It's about stories written by nature. And you’re part of it.