It’s been an unseasonably mild autumn — one of those years where the leaves have clung on longer than usual and the first real frosts still haven’t arrived. Across much of the country, oak trees appear to be in a mast year, producing an exceptional crop of acorns. It’s a clever natural strategy to secure the next generation of oaks, but it also means that wildlife, deer included, are spoilt for choice when it comes to food.

Early harvests, thin crops, and bone-dry fields tell the story of a season shaped by the driest Spring since 1836. Against that backdrop, the Roe Rut has been rolling on — sometimes lively, sometimes quiet — with each week bringing its own surprises. Since our first proper calls on 22nd July, the rut has been teasing us — offering just enough magic to keep us hooked.