Spring deer hunting is often eagerly anticipated as the start of the hunting season, especially because it's during the spring that deer shed their antlers, making it the first of the deer species to do so.

Each male deer, known as a buck or stag, tries to establish dominance over its territory, which it remains faithful to for several years. Bucks mark their territory by scraping the ground and rubbing their antlers against branches and shrubs. They fiercely defend their territory, and witnessing the beautiful clashes between two rivals is a possibility.

During the development of a deer's antlers, various abnormalities often occur, which can be caused by injuries to the pedicle or diseases. Injuries to the legs can also affect antler growth. Deformities in antlers manifest on the opposite side of the injured leg. In cases of illness or injury to the testicles, the antlers may not ossify properly, and their growth may result in a mushroom-like formation on the head, which cannot be shed.

Hunting period

May 1st - May 31st

Biology

Deer inhabit lowlands and mountainous regions of all types of landscapes. They prefer mixed and deciduous forests with meadows and adjacent farmland. They are active during the day and enjoy basking in the sun on meadows and clearings.

Their diet is selective, and they seek out highly nutritious plants. The composition of their diet changes with the seasons. In spring, they graze on emerging vegetation, in summer they prefer the leafy parts of plants. In autumn, they intensively collect seeds and fruits from trees, shrubs, grasses, and herbs. In winter, they browse on the twigs of shrubs and trees and the remains of dry vegetation.