The mature Fallow deer is much more leery of humans than some of the other species found on Escondido Ranch. This natural tendency means that hunters really have to be up the challenge for waiting for the big bucks to come into feed. Since the mature males tend to remain on their own outside of the mating season, a guide that really knows the patterns of movements for the big animals is essential.

This deer is extremely agile and is able to maneuvere through bush and over rough terrain with ease. Even skilled hunters may get off a single shot but it is unlikely they will get off more unless they are very well positioned. Bucks and the herd are very unlikely to return to the same spot where they have been hunted on a repetitive basis so it is important to have a variety of feeding areas that they can rotate through.

Why are some antlers palmate and some spike type antlers?

The Fallow deer buck will produce short beam and spike type antlers until they are fully mature at three to four years of age. They shed these antlers every year while they are allowed to stay with the largely female herd. After four years they begin to produce the palmate type antlers that are most valued for trophy mounts. It is not uncommon for a mature bucks to have an antler width of up to 25cm and a length of approximately 39cm.

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