Deer Identity

[wymberley]

OK, chaps, pulled into stubble field and there it was stood in the middle. Where I am we only get roe; the exception to the rule was some 20 years ago I did see 2 Muntys - never before or since. This was somewhat larger than a really big roe buck, body like a barrel, darkish grey in colour very distinctive and not at all like a roe winter colour, huge white rump white patch - almost dinner plate, antlers very similar to a roe but far too big.

This was a first sighting and hopefully some of the farm lads or my shooting oppo will also see it.

Anyone any idea, I'm baffled; Hybrid?

Cheers

[Elby]

OK, chaps, pulled into stubble field and there it was stood in the middle. Where I am we only get roe; the exception to the rule was some 20 years ago I did see 2 Muntys - never before or since. This was somewhat larger than a really big roe buck, body like a barrel, darkish grey in colour very distinctive and not at all like a roe winter colour, huge white rump white patch - almost dinner plate, antlers very similar to a roe but far too big.

This was a first sighting and hopefully some of the farm lads or my shooting oppo will also see it.

Anyone any idea, I'm baffled; Hybrid?

Cheers

Sounds like a Sika to me

[Fishermanpaddy]

Could it have been a Sika? Did you see the gland on the back leg? I think they have a variation of color called Melanistic or something along those lines.

 

Have a look at this although this one is more brown. Im no expert so feel free to ridicule me

 

[wymberley]

Could it have been a Sika? Did you see the gland on the back leg? I think they have a variation of color called Melanistic or something along those lines.

 

Have a look at this although this one is more brown. Im no expert so feel free to ridicule me

 

No ridicule at all; that was my first thought by a process of elimination but I've looked at some pictures which didn't resemble yours but yours is exactly what I saw. Didn't see the gland but I was so gobsmacked I'm surprised I could remember anything.

Thanks, guys.

[Redgum]

Melanistic fallow are darker than normal fallow, sika are quite similar to fallow in size and are spotted in the summer but have a dark winter coat. The males are easy to tell apart due to the antlers, fallow have the distinctive palmate antlers, a female melanistic fallow and a female sika can look pretty similar to someone who doesnt see em often but as stated earlier, the white metatarsal gland just below the rear knee is a give away and can be seen at some distance. For the more experienced stalker the sika has a shorter tail than the fallow.

[mikee]

 

you really need to lay of that weed fella

 

mikee

[wymberley]

 

you really need to lay of that weed fella

 

mikee

Aah, not you too! I had enough trouble convincing the estate stalker that I hadn't been on the scrumpy.

Cheers

[Vince Green]

Aah, not you too! I had enough trouble convincing the estate stalker that I hadn't been on the scrumpy.

Cheers

It might be something quite exotic. things escape from game parks and some big estates have exotic herds of imported deer. Thats how Munty's first got out.

The first two kangaroos imported into Britain were taken somewhere in Bedford and promptly escaped. Scared two local poachers absolutely ***tless before they were recaptured. The locals are still talking about it.

 

If I'm not careful I am in danger of starting the big cats debate all over again.

 

I'm just waiting for some of these wolves they have on some highland estates to escape, that will be interesting.

Edited September 28, 2010 by Vince Green

[scolopax]

Okay, I 'll state that I have never seen a Sika and only a few wild fallow, buty something seems off about that deer in the picture. It looks sika antlerwise and maybe the pinched face aswell but I can see no distinctive forehead and should not a Sika's summer coat be dappled. Looks like a sika-ish head stuck on a melanistic fallow.

[wymberley]

Hi,

The estate stalker has been keeping an eye on this particular beast for almost a year apparently. Over that time it's moved from A to B to C, where it spent the summer with some cows which have now been moved, to D which is where I am and is estate land.

The estate has other land about 30 miles away where they have sika which apparently are quite problematic. They have no wish for that to occur here, so as now it's on their land it's not going to be long before it's sausages in the local farmers' market.

Cheers