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Red Deer Identification and key facts

Where
Red Deer are found in woodland and on heathland
How many
Around 150 Red Deer are present. Together with sika deer, Red Deer are the least abundant of the commonly seen New Forest deer.
Herds
In favoured areas, Red Deer hinds sometimes gather in large herds of up to 50, or more, animals. In late summer and during the subsequent rut, typically in the same places, the hinds are joined by a smaller number of Red Deer stags.
Size
Red Deer size: 105-140 centimetres (41-54 inches) at the shoulder. Red Deer stags are larger than hinds. Quite bulky, square-jawed face.
Coat
Red Deer summer coat is a dark or sandy red/brown. In winter, dark brown/grey. Adult Red Deer usually have no spotting; calves are white spotted. Red Deer stags develop a thick, dark mane for the rut.
Rear end

Red Deer rumps are usually paler than the body colour. Red Deer have a quite broad, sandy brown, tapering tail, with little contrasting colour.
Antlers

Red Deer antlers are long, cylindrical - contrast this with the fallow deers' broad, palmate antlers. Multi-pointed - sometimes as many as 8 points on each.
Sounds

Red Deer use a year-round cough-like bark. Red Deer stags roar during the rut - a sound almost like a cow’s ‘moo’, but of considerably deeper tone.
Red Deer stag in winter coat, and two Red Deer hinds moulting from summer to winter coat
 
Red Deer stag in winter coat, and two Red Deer hinds moulting from summer to winter coat
 

References:
Deer Watch: Richard Prior

 
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