The fallow deer is a non-native species that was brought to South Africa by Europeans during the colonial era. Since it is a ruminant and feeds solely on grass, the fallow deer may easily adjust to new environments.
Fallow deer, commonly referred to as a “Takbok” in Afrikaans, can be found from the broad plains and mountain ranges to the dense forests of the bushveld.
In the summer months, the fallow deer’s coat is white-spotted fawn, and its belly is white. Males are the only ones to sport antlers, which rise in a palmate pattern above the main beams and taper to a number of points at the back.
Each year in early spring, the stag will shed its antlers, and by the end of the year, in October or November, new antlers will have fully grown in. During the months of March and April, stags engage in mating behaviour known as the “rut,” after which they disperse to form bachelor herds.
The average length of pregnancy is 210 days. Short, straight horns with a bump at the end characterise fallow deers at one year old. The antlers are covered in velvet while they are growing. The length of the antlers, the width of the palms, and the number of points created all improve year after year.
Males can start growing a respectable set of antlers for the trophy hunter as early as age 4, however older animals are recommended.
Although the fallow deer was not originally from South Africa (it was introduced here around 150 years ago), hunting these majestic and intriguing animals is a favourite amongst many local hunters.
Hunting for velvet fallow deer, a common deer species, begins in early February. The correct taxidermy techniques should allow a prize of this calibre to retain its original hue indefinitely.
The fallow deer is a hardy creature that can thrive in extreme environments. Seven out of our nine provinces are home to fallow deer, and they prefer the open, mountainous regions. They’ve even learned to thrive in arid conditions, as seen in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province.
Their population has skyrocketed over the past few decades, and many local hunters target them not just for trophies but also because of the high quality of their meat. The flavour of this meat is often compared to that of mutton or lamb.
Females and younger animals, rather than older bucks, are the best to target if you want to hunt a fallow deer for its meat, since it will be much more tender. The meat can be prepared in any way, including frying, baking, grilling (or “braai”-ing), preserving, or drying.
Any calibre with a medium bore will do, as long as the client purchases quality ammo. These deer are easy to take down, but a miss might mean losing a prized trophy after a lot of effort was put into obtaining it.
That said, high-quality binoculars are required. A good pair of eyes is essential for a successful hunting trip because you’ll be spending a lot of time peering through your binoculars at your quarry.
When hunting in South Africa, a fallow deer must have at least a 110 on the Rowland Ward scale (120 in Europe), measured using Method 3.
A fallow deer’s social life includes both family herds with young and bachelor herds. Sometimes you’ll see a lone older male. During the mating season in April and May, the males become extremely territorial.
Sounds like grunts or spots where antlers have been scraped can help locate males during this season, as can urine stains.
Fallow deer prefer to graze in the evening or at night when it’s colder, and are dormant during the day. You’ll have the most luck spotting fallow deer in the early morning or late afternoon. They have a high level of intelligence, but they are also quite cautious. They use the ground as a camouflage technique, and their ability to lie completely still makes them difficult for hunters to spot.
Rather than a young buck with extremely big antlers and a small brow tine, most Professional Hunters would recommend an older deer with a lot of character for a client.
The first pair of ‘spikes’ to emerge forward from the main beam are called brow tines, and they are primarily used for combat (and defence) during the rut. Both the length and thickness of a buck’s brows increase with age. The beam also gets thicker as it ages, making it clear that it is showing its actual age. That’s where many place the bulk of the trophy’s worth.
Fallow deer hunting is a unique and exciting adventure. The wide variety of habitats in which they thrive in South Africa means that even if you’re hunting for the same species, you’ll never have the same experience twice.
If you are interested in obtaining a unique European fallow deer trophy in South Africa, and would want to take advantage of the years of experience at Hunt25, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
