Red Deer – (Cervus elaphus) on Exmoor

A Red Deer stag and his hinds. They could sense us but the wind was blowing in our direction. They were uncertain of danger. Red Deer do not have great eyesight and therefore if they can't pick up your scent you can approach them if you are very careful. A Red Deer Stag is the UK's largest mammal.

I am told that, comparitively, this is not a very impressive Red Deer stag but his 3 hinds are quite pleased with him. Yesterday I went to Exmoor, home to find one of the few wild populations of Red Deer in the UK. I was perhaps a week or so late for the full rutting season but with a bit of searching we did manage to find stags alongside their hinds. It turned out to be a very rewarding day. At first when we arrived, we couldn't see deer anywhere and the narrow roads that lead through the moor, were very quiet leading us to realise that the rut was over. Eventually we caught sight of a big stag sitting quietly in the bracken. It was at least 400 metres away on the hillside opposite. We decided to see if we could get close enough for a photograph and using some stealth we walked closer and closer to the small group of deer which comprised 2 Stags and several Hinds. The wind was blowing in to our faces and consequently we were able to creep close enough. When e eventually got closer we could see evidence that the rut had ended because two Stags were together and very tolerant of each other. They both grazed as they nonchalantly moved up the hillside with 20 or so Hinds in tow. We were still quite a distance away really and consequently photography was hard work. These are wild deer and as such are hunted both by Hunters with hounds and shooting, conseguently they are wary and very sensitive to approach. I have to say that it was very satisfying and rewarding to be able to get reasonably close to them. Had I been a hunter, both legal or otherwise, I was close enough to shoot.

He roars to proclaim his ownership.

An adult male stag that fails to grow antlers is called a Hummel. It was interesting yesterday as we walked quietly towards the group in the distance, we disturbed a deer to our left that appeared to be a "Hummel". This can be seen by the large neck and mane, features that are not present in hinds.