One thing that Exmoor is very famous for is its large population of deer – indeed its logo is that of a stag’s head. Sometimes they are very hard to find, but at a certain time of the year they have the rutting season, where it is really worth looking for them.

Exmoor Deer RuttingThe Exmoor Deer Rutting season begins in September but peaks in October, and lasts for 1-3 months, so that the young are born in the spring, to prevent them from suffering hypothermia and also because food for producing milk for the young is grown by spring. Rutting is when the red deer that live on Exmoor mate. Guides can sometimes show you where to find the rutting deer so you can see their behaviour for yourself. The hotspots include at Dunkery Beacon and Stoke Pero woods. They are often seen in large herds on both the heathland and the moorland throughout Exmoor but it is hard to view them in movement in most places.

The males often exhibit the most unusual behaviour during the rutting season. A lot of this is to attract the females, particularly the estrus ones; ie female deer which are ready to mate. During the rutting period the males’ behaviour includes rubbing antlers on trees, herding together the estrus females, and rolling in dust and dirt. But the main spectacle that people come to see is their fighting. They lock antlers and battle it out until the strongest wins, both competing for an estrus female companion. Their size is their main physical asset that they use to drive the other deer away. As they are Britain’s largest land mammal, their size delivers brute force leading to an unforgettable fight. Not only that, but the loud primeval cries echo throughout the moor – a phenomenon for the eyes and ears alike.

The best time of day to see the fights are in the early morning and also the evening. It is an extraordinary sight to see, and can give you an opportunity to get closer to the deer. Be careful about just how close you get to the deer however – they have been known to charge at people when they are feeling hot-blooded! A deer’s sense of smell and hearing are stronger than their sight, so if you want to get closer to them make sure you stand still to attract the least attention to yourself. It is best to go with a guide as they understand the deer’s rutting behaviour and can instruct you on the safest way to watch the rutting without disturbing the deer.

One of the best ways to see the Red Deer is with a Exmoor Walking Guide there is a special Red Deer Walk Saturday 16th October 2010 (Red Deer Rut) from The Exmoor White Horse Inn

or why not try an Exmoor Safari

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