Help please - Rutting Deer!

[vx220]

Am wanting to get out there to photograph rutting deer, as the season is now upon us and I have returned from 9 weeks away am eager to get out but I could do with some local knowledge.

Does anyone have any info with regards to good locations to find the deer, am looking in the Aberdeenshire & Cairngorm regions but will travel further if I need to.

So can anyone help direct me?

Many thanks
Kevin

[vet111s]

I went stalking at Monachyle Mhor ( http://mhor.net/ ) so they might be able to help. Is worth noting that the stag stalking season is still on so best getting permission or at least letting estates know you're going before venturing into the hills as a stray bullet might sting a little

Hth

Ali

[tut]

Can show you a few dogging locations around here, but do not know of any rutting ones.

tut

[duggiesmith]

Jura is the place for guaranteed sightings, but not the easiest place to get to.
Ferry from Kennacraig to Islay then a short hop over to Jura - NB The Jura ferry isn't Lotus friendly, but you could go as a foot passenger as you don't need to walk far for some pretty good shots.

[Dipper]

if you dont mind a walk then up beside Corriehabbie(theres a route in just off the Cabrach) is excellent for deer. i saw 3 large herds last time i was up. some pretty big stags as well.

[smee]

Big population around Loch Mich south of Balmoral. Quite accessable.
My closest encouters have all been on Arran, almost tame. Lots of big telescopic lenses photographing the rut at Klampenbourg park, Denmark. Not so handy but never seen so many in one place.

[tuscan_thunder]

if you dont mind a walk then up beside Corriehabbie(theres a route in just off the Cabrach) is excellent for deer. i saw 3 large herds last time i was up. some pretty big stags as well.

Agreed, Cabrach.

Maybe speak to my mate Steve at Mortlach Game; he'll keep you right. http://www.mortlachgame.co.uk/

[vx220]

many thanks guys, am going to go to the Cabrach area this weekend and check it out, the rut probably hasnt started yet but atleast I will be ahead of the game!

I will also have a look at Loch Mich too, always good to have lots of options.

Been checking out Monachyle Mhor too, thanks!

Jura is just a little too far to venture at the moment, wife would kill me if I spend much more time away from her!!!

Thanks for the offer of the dogging sites Tut, but not quite the wildlife I am wanting to photograph lol

[rossybee]

I think tut meant cottaging.

[vx220]

Well spent most of the day out yesterday - investigated Glen Livet, Corriehabbie to the north & Cabrach and saw NOTHING!!!

I think the problem is that the target of the red deer is relatively small in a very large target area, and without accurate intel there isnt much chance of seeing anything unless you are lucky or camp out there for a few days.

Going to try and go out with a ranger in a couple of weeks so that should be a little more successful.

Does anyone know any good guides / rangers / stalkers in the area that might want a little work?

Thanks for the help!
Cheers
Kevin

[Dipper]

bummer! it is a fair area to cover and theyre rarely on the path! not got access to a helicopter?

[glasgowwestie]

Just saw this, but don't know if it's good or not: http://www.atholl-estates.co.uk/visit_l ... afaris.cfm

[meatball]

Saw 3 stags in Glen Tilt and heard two more near Forrest lodge today.

[Dark]

The stags were going for it big time up at Beecraigs when I cycled past at lunchtime!

The noise was amazing; the females in the adjacent field looked very nervous!

[smee]

Saw 2 fighting on Arran last weekend.....through a mesh wire fence, one on either side. Quite odd never seen that before