Thread: Post rut Fallow Deer activity

What are considered the 'typical' post rut fallow deer activities? The block I am hunting this weekend is almost exclusively alpine tussock with almost no bush cover. Elevation starts at around 1000m and the tops/peaks at are at around 2000m. In the past on this block at this time of year on this block I have seen fallow down low 1000m-1200m when the is colder weather and a scattering of snow on the tops, but a few weeks later when the snow has gone they are higher up 1300-1400m.

On the assumption that the rut has finished up for the year, would it be right to expect the bucks mob up with other males and stay at higher altitude as a general rule, with the females and younger deer staying at lower altitude or do they tend to hang in the general vicinity together for a while?. My experience with alpine hunting (targeting reds) is that the stags are generally way up the top in amongst the snow line and the hinds and young deer are lower down in the guts and gullies. Do Fallow bucks hang up around the snowline like stags or are they more temperature sensitive and hang at elevation, but below the snowline?

Quite often they disappear of the face of the planet and are rarely seen until the following rut.

okay my fallow hunting is scrub native bush farm edges Taranaki Wanganui quite different to your South Island scenario but I agree with Brad the big bucks disappear round about now - we see bigger fallow with the thermals very late at night likely bucks so maybe become quite nocturnal ( several of the places I hunt the bigger bucks are off the menu )

On Saturday morning I was watching a doe group and there were two bucks with them. A mature buck we've seen plenty of and a younger one. They were sparring at one stage so I'm picking no does were cycling or else the big boy would have been a bit more aggressive. It's not unusual to see the bucks doing the rounds at this time of year to pick up any late cycling does, and both these boys were doing exactly that, checking out all the girls.

We sometimes see buck groups through late May and June before they seem to vanish off the face of the earth until the rut.

Had a fallow buck Croaking on Saturday, fresh scrapes on the ground too. could not get closer to him quietly, and couldn't figure out how to get him to come to me lol so no shot. 1.5hr south of Hamilton

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

okay my fallow hunting is scrub native bush farm edges Taranaki Wanganui quite different to your South Island scenario but I agree with Brad the big bucks disappear round about now - we see bigger fallow with the thermals very late at night likely bucks so maybe become quite nocturnal ( several of the places I hunt the bigger bucks are off the menu )

I'm also hunting scrub/native farm edges that hosts a well educated fallow herd. They are mostly down low and hitting the pasture on neighbouring dairy/dairy support farms after dark.

Sneaky buggers to hunt in daytime. The only one I had in the scope last week was the 2IC buck which is definitely "off the menu".

There will be a few hinds cycle in next weeks. Often rising yearlings first cycle. its been my experience that its worth watching the female groups as its often a very dominant buck that will be with them.

Saw a well beaten gorse bush this morning, was untouched yesterday.