Photographing the Deer Rut

As summer gives way to winter each year wildlife photographers eagerly anticipate one of nature’s grandest spectacles – the autumn deer rut. This annual event often unfolds within the grounds of stately homes and royal parks, where herds of red and fallow deer grace the landscape. Despite these mammals living within a park the rut is a captivating event that offers both seasoned and novice photographers thrilling yet challenging opportunities. These can ultimately result in the capture of some dramatic images.

When the Rut Starts

Most of the deer species found in the UK begin their mating rituals in the autumn, often peaking in October. During the summer, stags and bucks reside in their bachelor groups, devoting their time to feeding and preparing for the rut. In early autumn the soaring testosterone levels reshape the males’ behaviour. Their focus shifts entirely towards one objective : asserting dominance. They start expending all their energy sizing up their rivals and battling each other, with one sole aim. of securing the right to mate with the hinds in their harems.

In order to win these right to mate with the females they have herded into their harems. They bellow out vocal challenges to their rivals, their roars echoing through the landscape often at first light. They also employ their formidable antlers to dig into the earth, often resulting in sporting interesting headgear of grass and bracken. The result is a captivating spectacle that offers ample opportunities to capture stunning portrait images.

Research

With a little bit of research and preparation even the most amateur photographer can capture some wonderful images. Timing plays a crucial role in capturing the most electrifying moments of the rut. The peak of activity is typically witnessed during the first light of morning and the twilight of late afternoon. Therefore it pays to arrive at your location early and be prepared to stay late. The early mornings of autumn also often gift photographers with misty light which can create some very atmospheric images.

Stay Safe

Safety is of utmost importance when interacting with these wild animals, whether within their natural habitat or within the confines of deer parks. Stags and bucks, in the throes of rutting, can exhibit unpredictable and potentially aggressive behaviour. So it is important to keep your distance and respect them. As with all wildlife, the concept of the ‘circle of fear’ is crucial; monitoring their behaviour and detecting signs of unease ensures your safety. So it’s important to keep a close eye on their behaviour. Always ensuring that you never get between a dominant male and his harem or between two competing stags or bucks sizing each other up.

Even in parks where deer have grown accustomed to human presence it’s important to stay quiet and not to make sudden movements. While deer have sharp eyesight, their reliance on smell and hearing for survival means staying downwind is crucial. It is less likely to spook them. Dull, earth-toned clothing and slow, purposeful movement, using natural cover, will enhance your safety and enable you to capture close-up images.

When to photograph the rut

Understanding the breeding seasons of various deer species is essential for successful rut photography.

• Roe deer – mid July to mid August
• Fallow deer – September to October
• Red deer & sika – September to November
• Chinese water deer – November to January
• Muntjac deer, in contrast, do not adhere to a defined breeding season, as they reproduce year-round.

As summer moves to winter, it not only offers a captivating display of autumn colours but also provides an array of atmospheric conditions that can enhance your photography. High pressure systems bring with them cold clear nights with little to no wind, followed by misty damp mornings which are excellent for photographing the deer rut. These conditions, along with the gradually brightening, warm, golden sunlight, create a great backdrop for capturing the deer in all their natural splendour.

Location

For those fortunate enough to have local deer populations nearby, that can be found in the same area most of the year. This allows you to gain an understanding of their behaviour and movements that becomes invaluable for gaining the most from your time out with the camera. Observing their habits and habitat over time allows you to pinpoint the best lighting conditions and backdrops for your images. If you’re not lucky enough to have deer close by or don’t have the time to build up this local knowledge, then deer parks are great places to head to. These parks, scattered across the UK, are ideal locations to explore during the rut, offering not only opportunities for great photography but also breathtaking natural settings as backdrops for your images. There are plenty of them dotted around the country and a quick search on the internet will find them.

Equipment

Photographing deer during the rut does not necessitate the use of high-end, heavy gear. However, the vast, open expanses of the Scottish moors may demand longer focal length lenses. The familiarity of deer in parks with human presence plus the size of our deer allows for remarkable close encounters. Even modern smartphone cameras can produce astonishing results.

However, for the images featured in this post, a 100-400 telephoto zoom lens was employed, which proved to be an ideal choice. Allowing you to get those tight close shots of the royal stag in the bracken but at the same time also allowing for wide variety of other compositions. Its handheld capabilities also make it an attractive option. In scenarios with less favourable lighting, such as the soft dawn of misty mornings, a tripod becomes an indispensable tool. It ensures the stability required for slower shutter speeds and minimizes the risk of camera shake when employing longer lenses.

Fieldcraft

Fieldcraft is an essential skill when approaching deer, even those in parks accustomed to human presence. The golden rule is always try to stay downwind. A deer’s remarkable senses of smell and hearing together with their eyesight are excellent all of which require a slow deliberate approach. A careful approach always reaps rewards, pausing and waiting at regular intervals moving only when they appear relaxed. Utilizing natural cover, when stalking completely wild deer or those within parks, is a skill worth mastering. Maintaining a low profile and ensuring that your silhouette does not disrupt the horizon, ultimately leads to more successful results.

Top Tips when out in the Field

• Don’t let unfavourable autumn weather conditions deter you. Unusual lighting and the cold misty weather conditions can yield some of the most striking and dramatic photographs.
• Be prepared for extensive walking when photographing the red deer rut in autumn. The terrain is often uneven, damp, and sometimes very wet. Therefore, sturdy, waterproof boots are essential, as are warm layers and a waterproof outer jacket.
• Don’t forget to pack spare, fully charged batteries and empty memory cards. It is astonishing how quickly one can capture hundreds of shots.
• Focus your lens on the eye of the deer, using a single-focus point and endeavouring to maintain the eye as the primary focal point as the deer moves. The advent of mirrorless cameras has made this task considerably more manageable, as animal and eye detection features can significantly simplify your work.
• As with any wildlife photography, patience is the key to getting that perfect shot. Even within the confines of deer parks, you may find yourself waiting for the perfect lighting conditions and backdrops that do not include park furniture.
• Be vigilant regarding the behaviour of the deer, as moments like a stag’s roaring or two stags locked in fierce battle can unfold dramatically, catching you by surprise. To capture such action, set your camera to high-speed drive mode and, thanks to the capabilities of modern review software, sifting through hundreds of images to identify the most captivating shot has become a straightforward process.”