Young Stag

It's unusual to see a stag as mature as this in the fields near the nursing herd of red deer near our home. They will normally be in a separate part of the local area and only return during the rut. The one I saw last week was at least a mile and a half away from where this shot was taken. 

My research suggests he may be between 3 and 5 years old. It looks as though he will have 12 tines on his antlers, and while this is not an accurate indication of age, he seems well developed and coming to an age where he could compete for the attentions of the hinds.  This is typically from the age of 5 years onwards.

It was another hot day interspersed with short showers that never really got going.