In Etrepigney in the Jura, this January 1, 2025 will remain in the memories of the Bouvier family. Around noon, a herd of does and deer came out of the Chaux forest located between Dole and Besançon. A magical spectacle observed from their home.
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It’s a spectacle the likes of which only nature can orchestrate. A ballet, a sudden flock of deer determined to stretch their legs the day after New Year's Eve.
For the Bouviers, the house is on the edge of the forest. The inhabitants of this hamlet of Etrepigney see deer regularly. “This morning, we first saw 5, then 10 then 20! My daughter ultimately counted 320” testifies Delphine Bouvier.
There were does and three large stags with their antlers. We've never seen so many, it's impressive.
The does paraded for a good minute before basking in the sun at the top of a meadow. Watch the video below.
-duration of video: 00h02mn47s
In Etrepigney in the Jura, on January 1, several hundred deer came out of the forest.
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©Family Bouvier
“They come there regularly” adds Delphine Bouvier. “Were they looking for a place to hide from hunters?”. Or maybe a ray of sunshine to warm you after days of severe frost? At 88 years old, Delphine's father-in-law had seen deer in this area, but on January 1, the record was broken!
The Chaux forest, with an area of 20,493, is the largest deciduous forest in France after that of Orléans. There are numerous deer in this area of 28 by 16 kilometers. Each year, a hunting plan regulates these deer and deer accused of causing damage to the forest plantations of the ONF and private owners. 520 deer were harvested (killed) for the entire Chaux massif during the 2023-2024 hunting season. 590 were to be in the 2024-2025 season.
For farmers, all these does are not necessarily great, for us the spectacle was pretty.
still enjoy Delphine, Stéphane and Julie Bouvier
Seeing a herd before your eyes is what also happened last November in this same sector of the Chaux forest to Renaud Glotoff. Emerging from the fog, as if by magic, 200 deer and does suddenly appeared. The amateur wildlife photographer was able to immortalize this astonishing spectacle. And there’s no question of keeping these incredible photos for himself. He has shared his photos in many groups on social networks.
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