Red deer rutting season begins in France

The annual red deer rutting season is approaching in France, marked by the distinctive vocalizations known as ‘brame’. During this period, male deer emit deep, guttural calls to attract females and intimidate rivals, often leading to physical confrontations to establish dominance and protect harems.

In the Aveyron region, local hunters and the Aveyron Hunting Federation have confirmed that a well-known deer named Pierrounet is healthy. Pierrounet, who gained local fame after being rescued from a fence in early 2024, typically spends much of the year in Lozère before returning to Aveyron around mid-September for the rutting season.

Observers are encouraged to listen for these calls during dawn and dusk, when the sounds carry most effectively through the forest.