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Species authority page

Fallow deer

Dama dama · Introduced/exotic big game · Big game

Fallow deer (Dama dama): Medium, rangy deer standing 91–97 cm at the shoulder. Mature bucks (3–4 years and older) carry broad palmate antlers; younger bucks have simple beams and points. This profile does not establish whether taking it is legal anywhere.

Check rules for a place and dateOpen the fallow deer map

Certified rules currently represented in Hunt: coverage in development. This is coverage, not a legal answer.

Fallow deer herd, including an antlered deer, in open parkland
Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash
Scientific name
Dama dama
Family
Cervidae
Range
Native to the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. Introduced in North America: Texas has over 10,000 (about a third free-ranging), with other introduced or semi-wild populations in several U.S. states and on western Canadian islands in British Columbia.
Biology

How to identify it

Medium, rangy deer standing 91–97 cm at the shoulder. [1][2]

Mature bucks (3–4 years and older) carry broad palmate antlers; younger bucks have simple beams and points. [1][2]

Four colour forms: common (rust with white spots, fading in winter), menil (tan, spots distinct in winter), white (dark eyes) and black. [1][2]

Black line down the back often joins the black upper tail in the common form. [1][2]

Species it is confused with

Check these before deciding what you are looking at. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.

Field notes

  • Identification Do not identify Fallow deer from colour alone. Compare structure, size, range and the listed similar species before making a field decision.[1][2]
Field knowledge

Where it lives

Feeds in open grassy areas but needs tree cover and undergrowth; deciduous or mixed woodland on gently rolling terrain is best. [1][2]

Field knowledge

How it behaves

Rut mid-September into November, peaking in October; bucks defend a small 'stand' [1][2]

After the rut males form bachelor groups while does and young stay separate [1][2]

Feeds as a grazer or browser depending on competition with livestock and white-tailed deer [1][2]

Regulatory handoff

Where it is listed for legal take

These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.

Where legal take is listed

Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.

Geospatial intelligence

Where it is found

Native to the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. Introduced in North America: Texas has over 10,000 (about a third free-ranging), with other introduced or semi-wild populations in several U.S. states and on western Canadian islands in British Columbia.

Biology

Sources

Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.

  1. Natural Science Research Laboratory, Texas Tech University · reviewed 2026-09-30

    Natural Science Research Laboratory, Texas Tech University

  2. NatureServe · reviewed 2026-09-30

    NatureServe