Fallow Deer in Limpopo

[UKHunter]

I would not see it that way, the Fallow Deer was also introduced in Europe, and this is the case worldwide for many game species we believe we are hunting these in their area of origin.

I dont understand your response, I've not said anything about them being non-native? Im merely saying you should have a far more enjoyable hunt going after them in Europe and also, you would get a far better trophy.

 

[Red Leg]

I dont understand your response, I've not said anything about them being non-native? Im merely saying you should have a far more enjoyable hunt going after them in Europe and also, you would get a far better trophy.

I think what he means is that by recorded historic times the fallow deer was found only in Turkey and perhaps a remnant population the Balkans. It was probably hunted out of its broader European range by our knuckle dragging ancestors. Therefore it was technically reintroduced into its current European footprint.

But it was absolutely a Eurasian animal, and to me at least, hunting one in Southern Africa would be no different than shooting one on a game ranch in the Texas Hill Country. I am not particularly a species collector - I collect experiences and hunting fallow deer in Europe is a great experience.

That said, I admit that I can be also quite hypocritical. For instance, I enjoy hunting free range red stag in Argentina as much as Europe. However, there, unlike an "African" fallow deer, the red stag has been around long enough to have become the central big game fixture of the Argentine hunting culture - a wonderful thing to experience as well. I don't believe anyone can make that claim about a fallow deer in the Limpopo.

 

[USN]

Just my thoughts: recently just about finished with a package in the east cape and fallow, black wildebeest, red harter beast all about same money and told PH if any of the 3 are seen and decent trophies I would take that. Ended up RH and thankful of that but would have been happy with any.

 

[Mike B.]

You can shoot a "representative" in RSA. If Im going to Europe for a Fallow, I want a Moose.

Hmm, when we going? I need a red stag as well while we are there.

 

[Hunter4752001]

Sambar deer were introduced, by the Acclimatisation Society, to Victoria, Australia around 1860. They are free range and totally wild, Generally located in various State Forests and National Parks. They have completely adapted to the Australian environment. According to the Game Management Authority data, some 118,900 deer were harvested by hunters in 2021. That should give you an idea of the health of the population. I'm cynical enough to believe that most of the talk about the sambar "problem" is from the antis who have discovered that sambar are highly valued by hunters.

Rusa deer were also introduced, but have not been as successful, although some research suggests they interbred with sambar and have become part of the sambar population.

Fallow deer were a farming fad in the late 2oth century. Like most fads, it crashed and burned. Many farmers just opened the gates and let them disappear. There are now significant wild populations, but not at the numbers of the sambar.

Free range Hog deer can be found along the south eastern coast of Victoria. Hunting is controlled by season and a tag system. While the populations in mush of the Hog Deer's natural range are either extinct or endangered, the Victorian population is healthy and expanding. They are one of the few wild Hog Deer populations in the world that can be hunted.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Sambar deer were introduced, by the Acclimatisation Society, to Victoria, Australia around 1860. They are free range and totally wild, Generally located in various State Forests and National Parks. They have completely adapted to the Australian environment. According to the Game Management Authority data, some 118,900 deer were harvested by hunters in 2021. That should give you an idea of the health of the population. I'm cynical enough to believe that most of the talk about the sambar "problem" is from the antis who have discovered that sambar are highly valued by hunters.

Rusa deer were also introduced, but have not been as successful, although some research suggests they interbred with sambar and have become part of the sambar population.

Fallow deer were a farming fad in the late 2oth century. Like most fads, it crashed and burned. Many farmers just opened the gates and let them disappear. There are now significant wild populations, but not at the numbers of the sambar.

Free range Hog deer can be found along the south eastern coast of Victoria. Hunting is controlled by season and a tag system. While the populations in mush of the Hog Deer's natural range are either extinct or endangered, the Victorian population is healthy and expanding. They are one of the few wild Hog Deer populations in the world that can be hunted.

@Hunter4752001
Up around my area red and fallow are a problem. A lot of single vehicle accidents caused by them.
Further north rusa a becoming an issue. This isn't from greenies. A well know writer and hunter has a problem with rusa in his front yard eating various plants. They can also be seen on the local beach.

In my area I offered to take out some red deer that had gored a $ 250,000 prize horse to death for the owner.
The way he reacted anyone would have thought I wanted to make love to his wife. Man was he pissed off. To him the horse was replaceable the deer weren't. Some people you never know. Unusual for me after such a tirade I remained calm thanked him for his time and left.
What I was thinking about him is best left to the imagination.
As there's a lot of small 5 acre holdings it's impossible to get permission to hunt on these places.
Bob

 

[Hunter4752001]

G'day Bob. Its all relative. Far more single vehicle accidents from roos, likewise damage to gardens. At least down here, the people calling for deer to be eradicated are totally silent and/or highly vocal against roo control.

 

[IvW]

There are no Fallow deer in Limpopo....