Deer rut under the stars in the Vosges

We're meeting at 2pm at the Maison Forestière in Salm to set off for our adventure in the Vosges.

From the hamlet of Salm, we'll set off for our first immersion in deer territory. We'll make our way through forests and wetlands, learning how to spot signs of their presence (tracks, rubs, leashes) and how to move around discreetly. The route takes in the Etang du Coucou, then the glacial peat bog of La Maxe, before reaching the Haute Loge, the highest point of the day (934 m).

At the end of the afternoon, equipped with suitable optical equipment (night vision binoculars), we went to a listening area to try our first observation. The different types of slab will be explained and listened to in the field. The evening meal is a fondue shared at the bivouac.

After breakfast, we leave our bivouac and descend to the Rabodeau stream. The climb back up to Lac de la Maix takes us to a place steeped in legend and ideal for wildlife watching. The day is spent analysing the terrain and learning about the deer's life cycle, in particular the annual development of its antlers.

The afternoon is spent on the ridge, in a wooded area dotted with rocks and clearings. We continue our listening and take the time to observe discreetly, conditions permitting. Dinner, based on freeze-dried products, is taken at the second bivouac, in an area suited to the tranquillity of the group and discretion with regard to the fauna.

A final listen is possible at dawn, which is often a good time to hear the bellowing. We then set off on our return journey along the sentier des Passeurs, heading towards the Bruche valley. We'll take a break on the Chatte Pendue plateau, which offers a clear view of the surrounding forests.

We return to the hamlet of Salm in the early afternoon.