The Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) is slightly larger than its European cousin and occupies a vast range across northern Asia from the Ural foothills to Mongolia. Bucks weigh 35–50 kg and carry three‑tined antlers; their reddish‑brown summer coat turns grey in winter. The species is sought after for its delicate venison and because it inhabits meadows, floodplains and open forests.
Siberian roe deer hunts are typically conducted on foot by stalking and calling during the rut. In central Siberia and the Kurgan region, guides quietly glass edges of fields and birch forests, then stalk within range; hunts usually last 5–7 days with groups of two to five hunters. The prime season coincides with the rut from late July through mid‑Septembe; some areas allow hunting until November when bucks feed heavily before winter. Hunters use calls to mimic a doe’s squeak or a rival buck to draw curious males out of cover.
The Siberian roe deer is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, yet populations have declined because of overhunting and habitat conversion. In the Soviet era about 500,000 animals were taken annually, and poaching remains a significant threat. Regional governments now impose bag limits, set seasons and require expensive licences to control harvest. Despite these measures, illegal trophy hunting and habitat loss continue to suppress numbers; conservationists urge the protection of meadows and floodplains and better monitoring.
The Siberian roe deer’s rut begins earlier than that of European roe deer; after mating, embryonic development pauses until spring (embryonic diapause), ensuring fawns are born when vegetation is abundant. Some hunters use decoys or high seats near grain fields, but stalking remains the preferred method. Combination hunts with moose, wild boar or maral stag are popular in Siberia. Roe deer meat is highly regarded, so hunters often take does for meat after securing a trophy buck.
Siberian Roe Deer can be found in the following location:
Siberian Roe Deer has the following variations:
- (Varieties to be confirmed)
