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The rutting at the Veluwe is still ongoing, but because of the warm weather the intensity is rather low. The deer preferred the woods over the heathlands en started only in the night with bellowing. They truly have a preference for cool evenings and mornings. However, the forecast for the coming day, at the end of September, was a rather cool morning. That was the trigger for me to make the journey to the Veluwe. While zipping my sleeping bag in my camper-van I heard the males around me in the woods, and I fell asleep confidently. The morning was indeed chilly and a blanket of mist covered the heathland. It was still dark as I choose my position, using the sounds of the bellowing males. In the break of day I was surrounded by four males, one garding a herd. Vanishing in my surroundings thanks to my camouflage, they did not notice me and they came as close as 30 meters (see the video still)! Another wilderness experience, I can’t get enough of.

Cheers, Niels