Early season is the month of May as the bucks have shed their velvet, and until the vegetation becomes too tall for effective hunting. Rut hunts commence in late July until mid Aug. With respect to Red Stag, Japanese Sika or Muntjac combo’s, Roe deer season is technically open until mid-October. They only drop their antlers starting in November. 

-Additional Roe Deer can be taken as targets of opportunity for a flat rate price with no size restrictions.
-Japanese Sika Stag can be taken flat-rate trophy fee basis, but only during late Sept/early Oct. 
-English Red Stag can be planned as a day trip if successful early, or booked as a combo with extra days. 
-Muntjac can be planned as a day trip if successful early, or booked as a combo with extra days. 
-Chinese Water Deer season is closed until Nov 1, and requires a short relocation.

These hunts come standard at 3 days (x6 outings) with a total of x3 morning and x3 evening outings. Greet your guide each morning and afternoon at the lodge. Arrive to the hunting areas by dawn and use spot & stalk (early season) or calling tactics (during the rut) in strategic areas where known shooter Roe bucks are known to lurk. They are small deer, and likewise have small territories. Particularly mature bucks. Occasionally, hunts are conducted from select high seats overlooking select areas where mature bucks are known to frequent. With long summer days, and Roe deer most active morning and evening, there is usually a midday break with lunch and a nap. Continue hunting in the evening. Physically the terrain is generally flat, and not strenuous to navigate, accommodating hunters of every fitness level.

We strongly encourage clients not to bring personal firearms from home, especially if wishing to do any tourism while in Europe before or after the hunt. The outfitter has various quality rifles (Sako/Blaser with Swarovski optics) always available for clients, already included in the cost of the package. Rifles are usually bolt or slide action, with popular calibers being .243mm, .308 Win, and .300 Win Mag. Nearly all international clients have borrowed rifles rather then bring them. 

Archery hunting is not legal in England.

Southern England is a patchwork of old hamlets, rich agricultural or pasture fields dotted with mature deciduous dominated woodlots and the odd pine plantation. To this, add medieval castles, churches, and manor homes in the distance set amongst gently rolling hilltops. Huge gnarly English Oak, Elm, and Beech trees become covered in ivy scattered among the holly and rhododendron bushes. Medieval era rock walls and dense hedgerows compartmentalize the landscape. Most of the best Roe deer hunting areas are in rich agricultural areas, with features such as woodlots, brushy fence lines and wooded ravines or drainage ditches.

Being on a different schedule than other deer in the northern hemisphere, prime Roe deer hunting windows include the month of May (considered the early season), as well the rut, which occurs in late July and early August. While Roe Deer season is technically open in June and July, the crops or grass are simply too tall to hunt effectively mid-summer. The rut coincides with early harvest, at which point various crop and hay fields have been cut and visibility is largely restored. Mornings are generally dewy, while visibility in the woods is somewhat hampered by the foliage, the tradeoff is exposed soil and quieter stalking conditions allowing hunters to sneak more silently through the timber. Rain is always possible in southern England but summer is not the wettest time of year. The weather is generally quite lovely early and mid-summer, which makes for pleasant outings.

Stay in either a beautiful heritage castle or manor home, now converted to a rural hotel, often complete with a bar and restaurant. Or a quaint rural cottage on the outfitters homestead located directly in the hunting area, with commuting times often only mere minutes. Enjoy traditional, local, homecooked meals if at the outfitter’s home. If staying at one of the hotel accommodations, enjoy private rooms with all amenities. There may be a local pub on the grounds or a short walk away that makes for a nice after-hours treat.

Meals from the hotel restaurant are already included in every package with a list of traditional English fare. Breakfasts are typically light, with a hearty home-cooked or buffet-style brunch upon returning from the morning hunt.  A midday pub-stop for lunch may also occur, depending on the hunting area. Order what you like off the menu for dinner. Fish & chips, bangers & mash, gourmet burgers, local seafood platters, curries, pizzas, and pastas are just some of the great items to choose from each night.

Destination City: Hunters are asked to arrive to Heathrow International Airport in London, England, where they will be greeted by the outfitter or a driver. The various hunting areas are scattered 1-3 hours’ drive south or west of London.

Travel Suggestions:  London is easily reached, often with direct flights and no connections from many major airports. Fares are well priced, flights are quick & easy with many bonus travel or sightseeing options conveniently available.

After a successful hunt in England, most clients visit with the taxidermist personally. In fact, our primary Roe Deer partner is a taxidermist with his shop and studio onsite with his lodgings. Here, the complete work on the trophies could be done, or prep, tan hides, permit and crate trophies for shipping coordinating with European shipping agents. General turnaround time to delivery is approximately 8 months.