The Black Roe deer “Der Schwarze Geist”, which means The Black Ghost have been known since the year 980 AD. According to records of that time the bishop of Minden and Milo every single year he received a number of these diminutive deer for his kitchen.
The current population of Black Roe deer were imported and introduced in Germany by Count Wilhelm Schaumburg-Lippe in the 16th century. Those animals came from either Portugal or Spain. Since a small population of Black Roe deer exists in northwestern Spain; the animals probably came from there.
Black Roe deer are now fairly common in Germany.
The habitat includes Halle but does not exist east of river Elben and spreads out north to Hamburg. In northwest it extends to the North Sea coast and further into the north eastern part of Holland. Towards the south the they habitat stops at Magdeburg, Dortmund and Hannover. During World War I, Emperor Wilhelm II asked a German soldier where he came from. The soldier answered his homestead was Haste. The emperor gladly replied, “It is where the Black Roe deer exists.”
The biggest number were found in the forest of Haster close to Hannover.
According to a study in 1993, about 90% of the animals were black. That’s because normal colored roe deer were shot aiming at establishing a pure black population. German sources estimate the number of black animals to be approximately 20% of the German population.
Our guide does not agree.
In his opinion no more than 5% of the deer in Northern Germany are black. This phenomenon is called melanism and is well known among fallow deer, Green pheasant, panther and squirrel.
Roe Deer Hunts
Live Like You Mean It
Contact Us
We've helped thousands of OI clients plan their adventures
Our team of professional consultants are ready to help you research, book and plan an amazing trip with one of our amazing outfitter partners around the world.
I didn't think an experience like this was possible.
This trip, was, for me at least not just a trip, for me it was a real adventure, a real experience. I love the wilderness and this trip afforded me the opportunity to connect with the Alaskan wilderness in ways very few people do. It was an experience I will never forgot in a place I can’t wait to get back to.Oliver Fischer
The outfitter handled everything perfectly.
We were thankful that Outdoors International hooked us up with a great outfitter because they were able to find us an acceptable alternate on short notice. Overall the two year process to get this float in was seamless and worry free. Just like it should be.Thank you, Stan Masneri
What an amazing experience!
The lodge was out of this world! Our rooms, the delicious food, the incredible wildlife and the scenery were amazing. Our photo safari guide was truly exceptional and had us on animals almost constantly. We saw over 30 different species and had some incredible up close experiences. Africa is amazing!Scott Navares
Copyright 2005-2025 © Outdoors International™ · All Rights Reserved.
