Juvenile Red Deer Stags
Stags and hinds will generally remain in separate herds for the majority of the year, between November and September, coming together as soon as hormones levels rise in late September. There are of course always exceptions and it is not unusual for younger stags to be seen around hind groups, indeed larger separate gender groups will tolerate each other if feeding in the same area. It is interesting to note that the greater the number of hinds occupying the better feeding grounds, the further the stags are forced to travel to find food, often resulting in marauding which decreases the opportunity of longevity. The size of both stag and hind herds can vary greatly outside of the rut, but during the rut it is normally based on how many hinds a stag can defend (between one and 20). After the rut these herds can comprise up or more than 100 deer on the Scottish hill, whereas up to 20 would be more normal in a woodland environment. The herding instinct is probably a throwback to days of wolf packs, when many eyes, ears and noses were the best method of defence for the deer. Once calves become mobile in June, they will normally remain within 10 metres of their mothers during their first nine months or until the hind gives birth to her next calf. Interestingly this umbilical distance is slightly greater for stag calves. The hinds will often stay together throughout the first year and this is evident in the oft seen ‘typical family group’, which includes hind with calf, the previous year’s calf and often a Knobber or pricket stag. There is an age related hierarchy within both stag and hind groups. Even after splitting up, hind calves will adopt a range that overlaps that of it’s mother, but stags invariably travel some distance. The reason for this is unclear, however it may be linked to the avoidance of inter-breeding as stags traveling long distances are unlikely to mate with mothers or sisters.
Size: 5382px × 3575px
Location: Inverness-shire, Scottish Highlands. United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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