In Ahto’s video we hear several deer barking; were all of them aware of the presence of the photographer? The agitated barking of young bucks lasts longest. The most active time for moving in autumn is in the morning or evening twilight.
On the bucks-to-be born this year small antler beginnings start to grow in October (they seem to be visible on the animal in the video too). These drop off in February and in March stick antlers start to grow but these will not branch.
Adult bucks drop their antlers in the forest in November-December.
The body weight of adult animals, well nourished during summer, may reach 30 kilos, the bucks somewhat heavier. The kids of this year weigh up to about twenty kilos. With the poorer winter menu the weight of course decreases. Despite the warm weather they already wear their winter coat with the eye-catching white rump mirror.
Roe deer are very true to their habitats; this year slightly more than 31 000 individuals were counted in the official census.