The Rusa Stag is much smaller and not nearly as compact and powerful in the body as the Sambar Stag. The ears of the Rusa are smaller and pointed rather than rounded.  The Rusa tail although comparatively long is not bushy, and even in alarm is held down - a marked distinction from the Sambar Stag. The hair of the Rusa is coarse and sparse. The shades of grayish brown color vary according to age, sex and perhaps season to a limited extent. The under parts, inner sides of the legs, the chest and the chin are grayish white; there is also a grayish, not so well defined throat patch.

The antlers of the Rusa stag are six-tined, similar to the Sambar Stag. They are distinctly lyre shaped but the important difference is that the inner or back tine of the terminal fork is a continuation of the main antler beam. In the Sambar antler, the antler beam carries on into the outer or front tine of the terminal fork.

Irregular in its reproductive cycle, the Javan Rusa has a high point of rutting activity between late June and August which corresponds to a calving peak in March/April. However, young calves have been seen at varying times of the year. The Rusa calves are not spotted white but are similar to the adult coloration. Twin calves have been seen.

A striking characteristic of the Rusa Stag during the rut is the spectacular habit of carrying large masses of vegetation on its antlers, perhaps as a threatening gesture to rival stags rather than as an attraction to hinds. This species also uses wallows. Many Rusa stags cast their antlers in January and February.

The Rusa has a strong herd instinct, with stags forming separate groups from the hinds and younger animals, except during the breeding season. An alarm bark and the rather shrill roaring of the stag during the rut are the most usual sounds associated with the Rusa Stag.

These stag typically carry a 3x3 antler structure. They are semi-nocturnal and prefer to live in dense brush, venturing onto crops and pasture after sunset. You can hunt Rusa deer from April till the end of the year. Stags taken early will tend to be still in velvet. Their 'rut' is during July and August, when they make a roaring sound. We can also arrange hunts in New Caledonia and Australia for Rusa deer, which is certainly one of the finest deer hunts available in the world today.

Global Sporting Safaris is an authorized U.S. Booking Agency for Kiwi Safaris New Zealand.