Rusa hunts are usually conducted by spot‑and‑stalk or still‑hunting. Guides move slowly along forest edges and through thick scrub, stopping often to listen and glass for movement; alternatively hunters may sit over warm clearings or meadows and wait for deer to emerge at dawn or dusk. Outfitting seasons vary: hunting in Australia generally takes place in winter (March–August), while New Zealand and Mauritius offer year‑round opportunities; the best time to pursue mature stags is during the rut in June–August when males roar and gather harems. Depending on terrain, hunts may involve blinds, hikes or even driven pushes, and both rifle and bow are used.

Rusa deer populations are relatively small and localised. In New Zealand they are confined mainly to Te Urewera and a few other North Island forests, and there are no formal seasons, though some areas close during periods of high fire risk or for research. Regulated hunting helps prevent crop damage and supports habitat maintenance on private estates; hunters must secure landowner permission where deer occur. Because these deer have limited distributions, management emphasises sustainable offtake and avoidance of overharvest.