The cause of death in roe deer is hunting in 66% of cases
The number of roe deer fawns shot per year by hobby hunters, according to hunting statistics, is twice as high as those killed in accidents (10'790 / 4'899). Roe deer fawns are easier to shoot and more popular among hobby hunters than older animals.
Roe deer, which are grazing animals, have become active at dusk and during the night because they have been pushed into this behaviour by hobby hunters.
Otherwise, roe deer would sleep at night rather than roaming in search of food and, for example, colliding with vehicles.
More than 20’000 wildlife accidents occur year after year on Swiss roads and railways. For humans, collisions between cars and wildlife usually end without serious consequences; nonetheless, according to the Federal Statistical Office, 78 people were slightly to seriously injured in animal-related accidents last year.
Roe Deer Fawn Marking Switzerland
The “Roe Deer Fawn Marking Switzerland” project came into being at a time when the roe deer was the subject of many research projects across Europe. Annual marking of roe deer fawns has been carried out continuously in Switzerland since 1971, resulting in a unique long-term dataset.
In 2017, 627 roe deer fawns were tagged in 14 cantons. That same year, 108 tagged bucks, 69 does, and 8 roe deer of unknown sex were reported back, according to a survey by Wildtier Schweiz.
The recovered roe deer were on average just under 2 years old, even though they have a life expectancy of over 10 years.
66% cause of death: hobby hunting
The cause of death in roe deer is hobby hunting in 66% of cases, traffic in 12%, and mowing machinery in 10%. In 2017, approximately 44’124 roe deer were shot (doe fawns 5’607, buck fawns 5’183, does 14’182, bucks 19’025). Wildlife casualties from road traffic are recorded at 9’148.
Roe deer no longer move across open fields as they once did, because they can be more easily shot there. As a result, roe deer prefer to remain under the protection of the forest and forage there (bud browsing). The wild boar, naturally a forest dweller, also “rampages” across meadows and fields, while red deer retreat into the forest.
Due to the high losses of young animals (hobby hunting and road casualties), the animals produce more offspring, which closes the cycle.
Urs Arter, Wildtierschutz Schweiz
More on this, why hobby hunting fails as population control.
