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Red Deer

Britains largest land-mammal. Generally common in the Scottish Highlands, and also The Lake District, East Anglia and the south-west of England.

Red deer migrated into Britain from Europe 11000 years ago. They were used extensively by Mesolithic man as a source of food, skins and tools (bones and antlers).

Neolithic man developed agriculture and cleared swathes of forest to make way for fields. This loss of forest encouraged the decline of red deer populations, which became confined to the Scottish Highlands, south-west England and a few other small, scattered populations. The Normans protected red deer in parks and "forests" (often devoid of trees!) for royal hunting, but this protection was lost during the Mediaeval period causing another decline in numbers in England.

In woodlands red deer are largely solitary or occur as mother and calf groups. On open ground, larger, single sex groups assemble, only mixing during the rut and in the Highlands of Scotland large groups may persist for most of the year. Stags roar and grunt during the rut. Hinds bark when alarmed and moo when searching for their young.

The breeding season, or rut, occurs from the end of September to November. Stags return to hind's home ranges and compete for access to hinds by engaging in elaborate displays of dominance including roaring, parallel walks and fighting. Serious injury and death can result but fighting only occurs between stags of similar size that can not assess dominance by any of the other means. The dominant stag then ensures exclusive mating with the hinds.

Only stags over 5 years old tend to achieve matings despite being sexually mature much earlier (before their 2nd  birthday in productive woodland populations). In woodland populations hinds over a year old give birth to a single calf after an 8 month gestation, between mid-May to mid-July each year.

Red deer are active throughout the 24-hour period but make more use of open spaces during the hours of darkness in populations experiencing frequent disturbance. Peak times of activity are at dawn and dusk. In the Highlands of Scotland red deer use the open hill during the day and descend to lower ground during the night.

Grazing of tree shoots and agricultural crops puts red deer in conflict with farmers and foresters due to economic damage. Conversely, many country and forest estates can gain substantial revenue from recreational stalking and/or venison production.

Vital Statistics

Adult size.

Stags (Males) :
90-190kg, 107-137cm at shoulder.

Hinds (Females) :
63-120kg, up to 107-122cm at shoulder.

Antlers :
Highly branched.

The number of branches increases with age. Up to 16 points in native animals. The angle between the brow tine and the main beam is always more than 90degrees. This is important in distinguishing red deer from the related sika. They can live for upto 18 years. Heavy infant mortality at and shortly after birth and during first winter in some Scottish hill populations.

Deer in the UK