Fallow Deer Hunting

This is the time of year when fallow are getting into hard antler and all the keen hunters are checking them out.

Early in the morning or late afternoon is the best time to see them. Pick a location high up on a hill or ridge line and site quietly with a set of binoculars. Try and spot the animals at long range then stalk in closer for a better look.

Fallow deer meat is excellent quality and Bucks will be sporting a brand new set of antlers, these should be in top condition as they will not have done much fighting yet. Does may have a young at foot so if shooting for meat either shoot a young one or look for a doe without a young at foot.

Take care of the meat and get it cooled down quickly. Getting game meat cooled quickly is the secret to high quality, good tasting meat. Gut the animal straight away and hang it in the shade as soon as possible, with the chest/body cavity propped open with a stick to let air circulate and remove body heat.

When glassing for deer, the idea is to observe the deer and try and evaluate the situation before selecting an animal. Don’t rush into shooting the first animal you see, be selective. If after a buck, check out a number of animals and if they are not of desired quality then the old saying is “let them go, so they may grow”.

If you see a buck that is almost good enough but not quite, then some self control is required. It takes a number of years for a buck to become true trophy quality, don’t waste an animal. If you shoot them when they are small, you may never shoot a real thumper.

Some hunters think that if they pass up an animal then someone else will shoot it and they will then miss out. Yes this may happen but at least you will know that you did the right thing. Game management is about producing a sustainable population of healthy, quality animals that have minimal impact on the environment. Responsible selective harvesting by hunters is the best way to achieve this.

When hunting Fallow deer all State laws and game regulations must be adhered to at all times.

Finally, how to pick a thumper at long range in the binoculars? When you see one, you will know! And if you are spotting with a mate, the usual comment will most likely be along the lines of “Farrr###, mate, look at THAT!” You will know a true thumper when you see one.

Related posts:

1. Video Tuesday – Mark Gilchrist’s Guide to Butchering Deer.
2. Jason’s Fallow Loin Chop Schnitzel
3. NZ Sika deer tips

Tags: deer hunting, fallow, game meat, game meat handling, hunting

Category: Norman Nelson's Column