Roe Deer
About roe deer hunting
Roe deer hunting is a great introduction to big game hunting. The terrain is often easy to walk, distances are short, and the animals are found near settlements. Many hunt roe deer from high seats or by walking posts along forest edges and field margins.
Buck hunting from August 10th is popular and is usually done as stalking in the morning and evening hours. The buck is active during the rut and can be called in by imitating the doe's call with a bleat caller.
In autumn and winter, roe deer hunting often takes the form of driven hunting in teams. A smaller area is driven by people or dogs, and the roe deer sneak past the posts. Quick shot decisions and good safety awareness are essential.
Shotgun or a small-caliber rifle works well. Many use .222 Remington or 6.5x55 with light bullets.
Hunting Season
Buck: 10 Aug – 23 Dec. All roe deer: 25 Sep – 23 Dec
Buck hunting starts as early as 10 August, making this one of the earliest big-game seasons in Norway. From 25 September all roe deer may be taken.
Weight
Live weight: approx. 20–30 kg, large bucks up to 35 kg. Carcass weight approx. 55%.
Distribution
Roe deer are widespread in Southern Norway and along the coast north to Troms. The densest populations are in the lowlands of Østfold, Vestfold, Agder and Rogaland. Roe deer keep expanding northward.
Terrain
Roe deer thrive in cultivated landscape with a mix of forest, fields and meadows. Forest edges, scrub and young plantations are typical haunts. They also like edge zones along watercourses and roads.
Identification
Reddish-brown summer coat, greyish winter coat. White rump patch. The buck has short, upright antlers with up to three points.
Hunting Tips
Roe deer are creatures of habit. Find fixed runs between bedding and feeding sites and take a stand there. Early morning and late evening are clearly best.
Roe Deer hunting by county
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