Galloway Red Deer Range

Watch wild rutting stags in South West Scotland

Apr 25, 2007 Dave McFadzean

Galloway forest Park in South West Scotland offers an unique opportunity to witness red deer stags locking horns in the timless ritual of the annual rut

The red deer is the largest indigenous land mammal in the British Isles. It was and still is in other parts of mainland Europe, a beast of the forest. In the UK though and in Scotland they are more often found on desolate moor land or in high mountain corries of the Scottish bens. This rough country is often inappropriately named as deer forest even though few trees can be seen growing there due to overgrazing. Coming face to face with a wild red deer stag in the wilderness is an unforgettable experience especially during the rutting season. That is a time of great roaring, gesturing and fighting for dominance of the herd’s breeding females.

With the red deer it’s a winner takes all in the breeding stakes and the dominant male stag will jealously guard his harem of breeding hinds. The alpha male fights off all comers amongst the other rutting males and clashes are inevitable. It is almost a primeval sound that great roaring challenge of a mountain stag and few could fail to be affected by these raw displays of awesome natural power. The males are in prime condition at the start of this breeding time. They are also at their most dangerous then and there are few places where it is really safe to watch them fighting for breeding supremacy.

The Galloway Red Deer Range part of the huge Galloway Forest Park is one place where they can be watched in relative safety. It has been running for three decades now and was the brainchild of the late John Davies the then Forestry Commission Conservator for Southern Scotland. One or two red deer calves were found by well meaning hikers even though the young deer were not really abandoned. The forest ranger service was asked for help and these animals were kept for a while. It was suggested that they be released back to the wild. Around that same time several visitors had been enquiring where they could see red deer up close while visiting this area.

In 1977 the Galloway Red Deer Range was set up on ancient farmland near Clatteringshaws Wildlife Centre. The Forestry Commission run guided toiurs throughout the summer and unique Stags Roaring Days in the autumn. At these roaring rutting days visitors can watch the stags tussle in a ferocious clash of horns and they can also get within touching distance the females and young calves.

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