Veluwe edelhert bronst

Why the Veluwe during the rut is so special

Sometime in the second half of September, the Veluwe starts to rumble. Literally. The bellowing of a mature red deer carries far through the forest, especially in the early morning when everything is still quiet. That is the moment you come here for. The combination of morning mist, low raking light and those enormous animals in the open landscape makes this one of the most impressive wildlife experiences the Netherlands has to offer.

The rut runs roughly from mid-September to mid-October. The peak often falls around the first week of October, but that varies from year to year. Go early. Sunrise or just before. At that hour mist regularly hangs over the heathland and in the low-lying parts of the forest, and the light catches the animals just right.

Hoge Veluwe and Deelerwoud

Within Nationaal Park De Hoge Veluwe you can photograph red deer freely from the paths and open fields. There is an entrance fee, but in return you get space and relatively little foot traffic in the early hours. The Deelerwoud, just outside the national park, is another strong area. Access there is free and the chance of mist in the lower sections is high. Both locations sit around the coordinates 52.07°N, 5.83°E.

Composition and focal length

A long telephoto is not a luxury here but a necessity. I work with 400mm or longer, though 300mm with a teleconverter can work well too. The animals are sometimes closer than you expect, but keeping a good distance matters for your own safety and for theirs. Look for open stretches of heathland or forest edges where you can keep backgrounds at a distance. A low camera position, flat on the ground if you can manage it, immediately adds more power to the image. Mist in the foreground or background turns a portrait of a deer into something considerably more atmospheric.

Practical information

For the Hoge Veluwe you pay for parking and entry. Arrive early, because popular spots fill up quickly with walkers once daylight comes. At the Deelerwoud you can park along the Eerbeekseweg and head into the area on foot. Stick to the paths and respect the quiet, especially during the rut. The animals are busy and stressed enough without photographers getting too close.

Sources and further reading

• Nationaal Park De Hoge Veluwe
• Staatsbosbeheer – Deelerwoud
• ARK Natuurontwikkeling – edelhert in Nederland