A hunter, more than anyone else, is in close connection with nature, especially with the animal world.

A hunter, more than anyone else, is in close connection with nature, especially with the animal world. And often they have to solve not only practical issues of game procurement but also tasks related to organising an engaging and proper hunt. Applying knowledge in zoology allows a hunter to determine the most effective hunting methods and the optimal time for game detection. The character of the relationship with the environment, as well as hunting success, largely depends on the hunter's level of knowledge in the field of wild animal biology.

It is likely that even an experienced hunter will find it useful to refresh their memory on some features of the zoology of ungulate game animals inhabiting the forests of Belarus. And the off-season period in hunting is the best time to delve into this topic.

Roe Deer

Elk

Red Deer

Wild Boar

Body mass of an adult animal, kg

24-32 male
21-30 female

283-520 male
258-452 female

186-234 male
131-160 female

114-350 male
68-186 female

Body length, cm

108-126 male
107-126 female

210-296 male
210-266 female

173-228 male
161-202 female

161-182 male
150-167 female

Height at the withers, cm

66-81 male
66-83 female

170-212 male
167-198 female

124-149 male
112-132 female

99-107 male
82-96 female

Girth of the torso, cm

64-76 male
64-76 female

170-224 male
156-120 female

124-149 male
112-132 female

128-172 male
120-150 female

Lifespan, years:
in captivity



15-17



18-20



approx. 20



approx. 20

in the wild

up to 10-12

up to 12-15

up to 10-12

up to 10-12

Antlers of adult individuals:




–

-length

up to 29 cm

up to 1.3 m

up to 1.5 m

–

-span

up to 16 cm

up to 1.2 m

up to 1.3 m

–

-number of points, pcs.

usually 3

up to 20

up to 14

–

-shedding

late October - mid December

mid November - January

late February - early March to mid May

–

-formation, cleaning

February - March

August -
early September

90-115 days (July - August)

–

Average length of canines in adult males, mm

–

–

–

160-250 mm

Moulting, once a year

2

1

2

1

Number of teeth

32-34

32-34

32-34

44

Participating in reproduction, years

up to 8-10

up to 15-17

until old age

until old age

Sexual maturity, years

at 2nd year

1.5-2.5

1.5-2.5

from 1.5 females, from 9 months males

Oestrus in females, days

2-5

3-7

0.5-2 every
15-20

2-3 every
21-23

Rutting period, month

July-August

late August - early September to October

late August - late October

usually from November

Calves (piglets) during rutting

driven away

stay nearby

stay near the female

driven away

Ratio of males to females,

1:1-3

1:1-7

1:3-5 (harems)

1:0.6-1.6

including in sparse populations

1:1

1:1-2

1:1-2

Gestation (total number of days)

264-318

215-243

230-240

114-140

Calving, farrowing periods (most common)

May - June

May

May - June

late March - mid-April

Potential fertility

close to 2 embryos

1-2, rarely 3

1 embryo

3-7 (up to 15)

Yearling mortality by autumn, %

up to 50

35-50

up to 50

around 50

Economic increment, %

10-30

12-20

8-30

20-200

Population composition, %





-yearlings

24

9.8-23

14.9

44.8

-one-year-olds

16.5

4-13.7

4.8

17.6

-adults (♂/♀)

27/32.5 (59.5)

63.9-84

30.9/49.4 (80.3)

37.6

Hybridisation

possible with Siberian roe deer

–

possible with sika deer

possible with domestic subspecies

Social organisation
(way of life):

females:





summer

solitary and family

solitary and family

solitary and family

solitary and family (family union)

winter

family-group and herd

family and mixed-group

family-group and herd

family and harem

males

solitary

solitary and group

solitary and group

solitary and group

Leaders of family groups (herds, unions)

female

–

female

female

Plant species consumed (in the Republic of Belarus)

over 140

over 70

over 228

omnivorous (plant food up to 90% of diet, over 120 species)

Feeding zone from the ground, cm

0-120

0.5-3.5

up to 2.5

0 - about 100

Daily feed requirement (average per year), kg

1.3-1.7

10-12

10-12

up to 12

Peak activity

morning, evening

morning, evening

morning, evening

morning, evening

Times fed per day

4 (in winter)

4-12

5-8

1-5

Time spent feeding per day, hours





-in winter

about 7

9-11

7-8

1-5

in spring, summer, early autumn

up to 14

11-14

up to 15

Critical snow cover depth, cm

40

70

60

50-70

Predators, enemies

man, wolf, lynx, fox, stray dogs

man, wolf, lynx, bear

man, wolf, lynx, stray dogs, bear

man, wolf, lynx, fox, raccoon dog, stray dogs, bear


Prepared based on research materials by A.A. Danilkin, V.F. Dunin, P.G. Kozlo, et al.