Tatton Park Deer Rut

PaulAdams

Tatton Park Deer Rut & Dog Walks

The Deer Rut at Tatton park is an annual occurrence but due to the rising popularity of visiting and walking in Tatton Park it’s becoming a topic we feel that needs more awareness and education.

The Rut refers to the breeding season when the male deer (Bucks or Stags) compete to mate with the female deer (Does or Hinds), the word ‘Compete’ will give you an indication of this seasonal occasion.

During the Rut the male deer at Tatton Park will show dramatic changes in behaviour, appearance, fragrance and activity.

When Does It Take Place?

The Rut will usually occur in autumn for the deer in the Park, there are two types of deer and they have slightly different schedules. Red deer rut is late September to October, Fallow deer rut is mid October to early November.

The Ranger team at Tatton Park do a fantastic job of putting signs up to make all visitors aware when the season is upon us and in process.

Shorter daylight hours and hormonal changes in the deer are factors that trigger the rut, rising testosterone in male deer is especially a factor.

What changes during the rut?

The main change is the behaviour of the male deer during this time, there are a range of things that happen.

Territories are established, marked with scent – this can be Urine, gland secretions and rubbing antlers on trees. Then there is the noises, Grunts and Roars and clashing of antlers can be heard across the parkland. Male deer are likely to fight during this time also.
It’s said that some male deer may lose weight as they spend their time competing and trying to mate rather than feeding.

The locations within the park change and shift during the deer rut, as the male deer will travel more widely to seek out females. This is an especially important consideration for visitors of Tatton Park during this time.

What about my Tatton Park Dog Walk?

Your normal dog walk route or jogging loop may all of a sudden have some different sights.

Dogs walks in Tatton at this time of year are to be taken with special consideration for the surrounding environment and seasonal happenings in the Park. With the changes in behaviour from the male deer they can become unpredictable, aggressive and this can lead to a higher potential for incidents to happen.

We hope common sense can be applied and the signs shear to, there is a high chance you may have to change your route as paths can be closed if deer decide to lay claim to a certain spot within the park. It can be the case they move to areas near entrances leading to a change in the park access also. We recommend checking Tatton Park socials to updates, here are some links to help:

What can I do?

Keeping your Dog under close control goes without saying, Tatton Park requests that between May 1st and July 31st Dogs must be kept on leads at all times.

During the deer rut it is advisable to keep closer control of your dog in the park also. Keeping a minimum of 50 meters away from the deer is stated on the signs and this we would expect as an absolute minimum.

Never attempt to touch or feed the deer and please remain respectful of the park’s signs and regulations so we can all continue to enjoy the great outdoors in the beautiful Tatton park here in Knutsford.