ROE DEER

ROE DEER

Over the past 40 years, the roe deer population has grown steadily. They are one of the most sought-after game species among hunters, making the roebuck a very popular trophy. The roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is the smallest of Denmark's four deer species. Their shoulder height is 60–90 cm, their body length is 90–130 cm, and they weigh between 15 and 30 kg. The animals shed their fur during the spring in April/May, turning a reddish-brown coat. When the cold weather sets in in autumn, they regain their thick, gray winter coat.

A DEER IS NOT JUST A DEER

In hunting language, a distinction is made between the male and the female animal:

The male animal is called a roebuck or buck.

The female animal is called a doe and the newborn young animal is called a fawn.

A young female deer about one year old that has not yet calved is called a Schmalroe in hunting language.

An animal that has already calved is called an old cow – even if it is only two years old.

The antlers of the buck

Shortly after the old antlers are shed, the formation of the next set of antlers begins in the winter months. During this phase, the antlers are still covered in velvet. This velvet nourishes and protects the antlers during growth and feels like velvet. It is not entirely coincidental that velvet is therefore called "velvet" in English. After the antlers have formed, the velvet dies and the roebuck begins to remove it by raking. For some bucks, this begins as early as March, while others have not yet begun raking when the roe buck hunt begins in Denmark on May 16th. The antlers are raked along thin twigs and take on the color of the plants they came into contact with. Roebucks in Denmark raking from March to May. While raking, the roebuck uses scent glands on its forehead and hooves to mark its territory.

Dormancy

Mating begins at the end of July and beginning of August. The roe deer will try to seek out all the does in its territory that are ready to mate and keep other bucks away. After mating, the roe deer goes into dormancy until December/January, only then does the embryo begin to develop. The doe gives birth to one to three fawns in May/June. Initially, the doe leaves the fawn to search for food. After a relatively short time, however, the fawn is large enough to follow the doe. In the first few months, fawns are very vulnerable, as most fawns die from mutilation by agricultural mowers.

Lots of deer

Increasing reforestation, evergreen fields, and abundant woodland and hedgerows provide favorable conditions for roe deer. The total population size in Denmark is unknown, but it is estimated at more than half a million animals. 100,000 deer are killed in Denmark each year. In addition, there are animals that die in traffic and from disease. Nevertheless, the population remains stable and is even increasing in some areas. This clearly demonstrates how well roe deer have adapted to Danish fauna and flora and how rapidly they reproduce.

Roe deer are everywhere

Roe deer can be found wherever there is suitable food. Roe deer do not graze, but prefer fresh shoots or freshly sprouted grass. If you watch a deer grazing, you can observe how it feasts on various plants and flowers. The deer eats 50 to 60 different plants.

Hunting area

Roe deer are never far from trees that provide shelter from the wind. They particularly enjoy meadows at the edge of forests. But in today's cultivated landscape, roe deer can also be found in the middle of a rapeseed field, where they feast on the oil-rich plants. When hunters go roe hunting, they set out early in the morning or late in the evening, an hour before sunset. However, roe deer can also be encountered in the middle of the day. Neither bright sunshine nor dry weather is required. The roe deer can be hunted in any weather.

Hunting season

Buck hunting in Denmark runs from May 16th to July 15th. The hunter usually sits on a ladder, in a tree stand, or stalks the buck. When stalking, it is important to get close to the animal in order to then kill it with a rifle or bow. Please note that buck hunting is not permitted in Denmark during spring hunting! Bucks and does are permitted in Denmark in the autumn. Roe deer hunting begins on October 1st and lasts until the end of January. Hunting is still done from a distance, but with the increase in falling, rustling leaves, it becomes increasingly difficult to stalk the animals. Driven and battue hunts with rifles result in even more animals being killed. In some areas, roe deer are also killed with shotguns. This is perfectly acceptable and quite effective as long as you keep to the recommended maximum distance of 20 m and use only large shot.

Weapon and ammunition

Most people hunt roe deer with rifles. There's much debate about which caliber is most suitable. Hunters have a virtually unlimited choice from 5.56 mm and up, as long as the bullet meets legal requirements: The ammunition must be lead-free.

A culinary experience

Roe deer meat has a wonderfully gamey flavor. Therefore, a saddle of venison from a summer buck simply belongs on the menu in fine restaurants. A freshly shot summer buck, cut into small tournedos, wrapped in bacon, fried in butter, and flambéed with cognac, is simply delicious. Served with new-crop potatoes and green asparagus.