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The Rut

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By Patrick Conlan

 



Male deer engage in fierce battles to win over the females. Sexually mature stags prepare for the most important contest of their lives – access to a harem of fertile females!

The fight starts vocally, and if this is not enough to ward off a competitor, you will see rivals parallel-walk before locking antlers and engaging in battle. If you see rivals parallel-walk they are assessing their opponents size and strength. They may also thrash the ground so that vegetation catches in their antlers making them look larger. Fights are a shoving match, with each stag trying to gain the advantage by being uphill.

The biggest stags will hold harems in the middle of the rut.

Location: Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, Ireland

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