Fallow Deer

Size

Bucks stand 90cm –1 metre at shoulder height and 60–85kg in weight with does smaller at 85cm–90cm shoulder height and weighing 30–50kg.

Colour

The most variable of any deer species in New Zealand, with four distinct colours, often called “phases”:

• Melanistic phase
  In New Zealand this is the most common colour encountered. Brown-black back with paler grey-brown underside and neck. There are no spots or tail patch.
• Common phase
  Light reddish-brown sides and back with conspicuous white spots and a black stripe down the back. Colour grey-black in winter.
• Menil phase
  A paler version of the “common” colour when in summer coat, but without the darker winter coat.
• Leucistic phase
  In young animals a creamy colour that by the second summer becomes pure white. These animals are not albino, having dark pigmented eyes and nose.

Antlers

Present on bucks only and cast in October to November with replacement antlers grown by February. Typical antlers on older deer have a round main beam at the base, which becomes flattened (palmated) towards the top. On the lower beam there are brow and trez tines and the palmation has points on the rear edge, pointing backwards. Yearlings only have unbranched spikes.

Rifle and calibre

.223 and above are suitable for shooting fallow deer, but .243 or heavier is preferable.

Record Trophy

289 2/8 Douglas Score taken by Adrian Ashby at McCaughley Valley in 2015.

Record Book Qualification

200 Douglas Score.