5. Ecology and management of RED DEER: distribution, ecological characteristics, and economic / hunting importance.

Question 1

Distribution and introduced

Answer 1

D: Most of Europe, Asia, Atlas Mountains in Africa, North America
I: New Zealand. Australia, South America

Question 2

Habitat

Answer 2

Open deciduous and mixed woodland although they are highly adaptable animals
→
good food availability
Abundant ground vegetation and shrub layer

Question 3

Diet

Answer 3

Intermediate feeders (graze and browse), prefer fresh browses/shoots

Question 4

Description

Answer 4

Males are larger than females, Red-brown coat with no spots in adults. Males have branched antler. Can live up to 20 years

♂ 160-260 cm,
♀ 150-210 cm;
Body weight:
♂ 130-300 kg,
♀ 80-150 kg.

Question 5

Home Range

Answer 5

The home range of hinds is 5-600 ha ↔ stags have 1000-2000 ha *No territory

Question 6

Social Behaviour

Answer 6

Hinds form small family groups (2-15) with leading hind

Male calves chased away and form bachelor groups with same aged individuals

older stags live alone (may group in winter)

Question 7

Rutting/The male

Answer 7

Preparation during summer –> fattening and antler casting.
Begins in September or late August till end of October/early November
Older males arrive to rutting place first (previous reproductive success) and younger males wonder in nearby areas
Loose 20-25% of body weight

Question 8

Reproduction

Answer 8

Stags collects a Harem and protects
Synchronized fertilization in the female groups
33-week gestation period

Question 9

Calves

Answer 9

Calves
Born April-May (usually 1 calf)
Peak mortality of claves in 1st winter

Question 10

Hunting

Answer 10

Game species, the hunting bag was 53 707 ind. in 2014.

Red deer stag, mature for shooting:
1 September - 31 January

stag, culling
1 September - 31 January

Hind
1 September - 31 January

Calf
1 September - 31 January and 1 April - 30 June

Trophy Hunting/Hunting tourism – most big stags are shot by paying tourists. Number of shot stags by Hungarian and international tourists have grown in the last decade.
main trophy is the skull with the antlers
Hunting methods: low stands, high stands, drive hunt and stalking.

Question 11

Status

Answer 11

Increasing

Question 12

Red Deer

Answer 12

(Cervus elaphus)