The „crowned king” of the Hungarian forests is indigenous in Europe and in Middle East. You can find red deer in the biggest number in Western Europe, but Eastern Europe (specially Hungary) gives habitat for the world’s finest quality red deer population. Red deer is the main big game in Hungary.

The highest quality is found on the South-Transdanubian part, in provinces Zala, Somogy and Baranya. In the forests of the Western and Northern Transdanubia, Northern Mountain Range you can find medium quality deer trophies. Excellent quality is achieved by the optimal living conditions in Hungary for deer and conscious game management. These species prefer oak woods rich in undergrowth, gallery- and strand forests, acacia woods, segmented by agricultural areas, which play a very important role in nutrition, making the residence ideal for the animal, tranquillity and food being present both at the same place. Large forestry areas are able and will do everything in their power to preserve these areas, even at the expense of serious efforts, because they are important for the game since their grunting areas have been in existence there since ancient times.

Red deer hunting in Hungary

The red deer hunting in Hungary is the top hunting experience. For stag hunting the best time is the rutting period. The hunting season begins at first of September, but the roaring itself starts quite differently (depending on the area). In Baranya and Zala County it usually begins at the end of August, while in Nógrád or Heves County only after the first week of September, and accordingly it lasts until the end of September. The cautious behaviour of the deer changes at this time, they only listen to their ancient instincts and many hunters – who skilfully use the stag caller horn– have learned this. The trouting season is followed by the hunt of the scrap stags, which lasts until the end of January. This is when it’s possible to scrap the weak, selection stags. Hunting red deer hinds, jinnocks and calves are also possible during the wintertime mixed drives as well.

Red deer hunting can happen from a high-steat, by stalking, or even combined with a horse-driven carriage. Usually the hours of early dawn are the best for the very popular stalking on foot, with the sight of a crowned stag appearing from the mist – a moment to preserve for a lifetime – is carved into the hunter’s heart.