When to spot red deer in the ardennes?
For those who would like to see a red deer in the wild, you can now do so close to home without having to travel to the Netherlands. In the Hoge Veluwe National Park and the Oostvaardersplassen, there are plenty of these magnificent animals roaming. But the red deer is also the largest land mammal in Belgium, with a fairly decent population in the deep Ardennes. Those who venture into the Ardennes early in the morning during the month of October may be treated to the beautiful bellowing of the male specimens, with a bit of luck. During this mating period, the males try to impress the hinds (females) with the specific sound they produce. The longer and more intense the sound, the more of an impression they make on the hinds.
A good place to spot red deer is near Baraque de Fraiture. There, you’ll find Bois de Saint-Jean, not far from the exit on the E25 highway towards La Roche. It’s a perfect base for beautiful hikes. Moreover, there are also several observation towers in the vicinity from which you can survey the expansive plains. Most hiking trails are on the right side of the N89 road towards La Roche, near the small village of Odeigne, a part of Manhay municipality. When you turn onto Route du Poteau de Chabrehez there, you’ll notice a new observation tower on your right after a few hundred meters. From there, you can embark on a very interesting hike, for example.
Red deer are extremely shy animals, so it’s not so easy to find them in the densely wooded areas, even though they are present in large numbers. On the left side of that same N89 road, I’ve always had the best sightings so far. To get there, take the same Route du Poteau de Chabrehez but along the left side. About five hundred meters into that street, you can take a forest path on the left by foot, and a little further, you’ll have a view of a meadow. You’ll be somewhat sheltered behind bushes, making you less noticeable. Large groups of deer are often seen on that meadow in the mornings and evenings. The vast forests all intermingle in that area, so take your time and explore. You’ll find traces and droppings of the red deer throughout the area. With a bit of luck, you may also get to see the animals, or in October, hear them.
Stijn Cavens
