Roe deer

Roe deer are one of the favourite hoofed game species of hunters and nature lovers alike. They appreciate its loyalty to its habitat, its diurnal activity and the variability of its antlers. Many hunters speak of the 'big game of the heart' to aptly describe their appreciation of roe deer. The authors present proven findings from wildlife biology and hunting science as well as their own experiences from decades of forestry and hunting. They clearly reject statements or even guidelines such as 'numbers before choice' and 'every deer in the forest is one deer too many'. The prerequisite for selective shooting in accordance with vegetation reports is generally the correct targeting of the animals, which of course also applies to temporary reduction shooting, e.g. in forest reorganisation areas. The targeted management of roe deer must continue to be based on a holistic assessment of the situation of the population and the environment in the respective hunting district. This is why age and quality class categorisation will remain indispensable for determining shooting criteria in the future.