Rusa Rundown

I cut my teeth hunting rusa deer in the Illawarra region of NSW, skipping the small game a lot of people grow up hunting and starting on rusa when I turned 20. These deer have evolved alongside predators such as tigers, dogs and man. As well as mastering the art of hide and seek in the bush, they have adapted perfectly to the urban Wollongong environment.

JAVAN rusa (Rusa timorensis) stags stand about 1.0-1.2m at the shoulder and weigh 120-140kg before the rut; the hinds stand 80-90cm high and are significantly lighter at 60-80kg.

The pelage is light brown darkening towards the hindquarters, often with a reddish or blonde hue. Some hinds and fawns in particular will show a much lighter colour in summer. Stags will often be a much darker brown than hinds, but they are still lighter than sambar. All rusa will have a lighter underbelly in a dirty white or