I've been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to have hunted in several countries in Europe: In Spain 3 times for red stag, wild boar, pyrenean chamois and roe deer; in France for mouflon sheep; in Slovenia for alpine chamois; and most recently in Hungary in 2002 for roe deer.
Roe deer are probably the most popular big game animal in Europe. They are very wary, and bark when they are alerted. They may stand up to about 30-36" high at the shoulder and weigh up to about 70-75 lbs. max. Fifty to sixty pounds may be more typical in most areas. Mature bucks will have 2 or 3 points to the side, with main beams up to about 11" in length. The largest will have very heavy bases, called "coronets", and will be heavily gnarled or "pearled" at the bases.
Perhaps the best time to hunt roe deer is between early April and mid-May. Crop fields have been recently planted, but crops have not yet grown high enough to obscure the game. This time of year can present some wonderful scenery.
On my first morning of hunting, my guide Attila and I spotted a marauding fox in a crop field and Attila asked me if I would shoot it. Pheasant hunting is big business in Hungary and farmers are anxious to kill any predator foxes. I shot the fox offhand leaning against Attila at 85 yards with my 14" .257 JDJ Contender equipped with a Bushnell 3200 2-6 X scope.
We spent much of our first day in rain and heavy fog. We could see groups of roe deer from time to time, but in those conditions it was impossible to judge them.
On our second day of hunting, after several long mud-crawling but unsuccessful efforts earlier in the day, I shot this fine old 3X3 roebuck at about 125 yards with the .257 JDJ, after a long and difficult stalk. He was heavily pearled with very heavy coronets. Also shown in the photo are guides Bertie (L) and Attila (R).
Hungary is blessed with rich fertile dark earth. That's what farmers call it. Hunters may be more inclined to call it "damned muddy", based on my experience. Knee high rubber boots and a willingness to crawl long distances in the mud are part of the hunting sport here.
I was fortunate to take another fine old roebuck on this hunt, once again after a long and challenging stalk. Caught flatfooted in an open field I was forced into a quick shot at 125 yards with the .257 JDJ. This 3X3 roebuck is also very heavily pearled with heavy coronets and main beams a bit longer than the first one.
After the hunt my wife Kay and I spent a bit of time in Budapest.
We also later spent time in Vienna and Prague.
Well, guys and gals, without wishing to become overconfident about this picture posting stuff, I believe I've just about got it figured out. I'm done for a while!
Merry Christmas!
Ken
