The annual red deer (Cervus elaphus) rutting season has begun in the Gemenc forest (southern Hungary), and to mark the occasion, Gemenc Zrt. is organizing a series of guided nature tours combined with educational presentations, the forestry company announced on Monday.
The excursions, which allow participants to experience the dramatic calls of red deer stags, will depart from the Pörböly Ecotourism Center at 6:30 p.m. on September 5, 6, 12, and 13.
Before venturing into the forest, visitors will attend an introductory program led by wildlife experts, explaining the role of roaring as part of the red deer’s complex communication system.
The first stop on the tour is a session titled “Deer Dialogues”, featuring demonstrations of shed antlers and the traditional roaring horn. Experts will explain what information can be gleaned from antlers left behind in the forest and how many different types of roaring calls echo through the trees during the mating season.
Visitors will have the chance to look at some of the most interesting antlers collected in recent years, hear the sounds of the roaring horn, and explore the interactive exhibition “Legend and Reality – The Red Deer of Gemenc.” Afterwards, they will get on the Gemenc Forest Railway, which will take them to one of the forest’s most vocal zones—an area where the bellowing stags are most active.
While participation in the standard tours is generally not recommended for young children—due to the need for sustained quiet observation over several hours—Gemenc Zrt. is making a special effort to engage younger audiences.
A Red deer stag and a great white heron in Somogy County. Photo: MTI/Kovács Attila
On September 13, a child-focused tour will be held near Lassi, one of the forest railway’s stops. This special edition will include craft activities and hands-on programs designed to accommodate children who may not yet be able to quietly observe wildlife for extended periods.
The forestry company emphasized that while the tours offer a chance to experience a unique natural spectacle, their broader aim is to foster a love for nature and promote environmental awareness from an early age.
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Via MTI; Featured image: MTI/Kovács Attila
