Species

Fallow - Dama Dama

Fallow deer were introduced into New Zealand from England and Tasmania (Australia) in 1860, but the herds in the North Island of New Zealand where Alpine Hunting is located were liberated between 1864 and 1910.

With distinctive flat “paddled” antler more similar to a moose than a red stag, fallow has the most diverse range of colors of all the deer species. Colors range from white to menial and various shades of brown and black, with several prized “chocolate” colored taken every season at Alpine Hunting.

Fallow emit a flat sounding croaking noise with barking by both stag and does, often accompanied by hoof stamping. A usually timid species, fallow become very aggressive during the rut from mid April until late May. This species can often be seen and heard thrashing antler against the native manuka and kanuka trees in our natural hunting habitat.

After the rut, fallow can often be seen feeding intermittently throughout the day to bulk up before the cooler weather in June and July. However don’t be fooled into thinking this species is an easy target at any time of the season. A wary species, the fallow will seldom stop to investigate a disturbance if alarmed. The slow deliberate movements hunters can often get away with while hunting other species will not go unnoticed by fallow.

The fallow herd at Alpine Hunting has gone from strength to strength since the 2001 introduction of impressive European genetics with our existing herd, and we now offer fallow as both an “in field” addition to any package and as part of a multi species combo with red stag and sika.