Deer are non-aggressive animals found throughout Skyrim. Quite shy by nature, they will flee when approached or threatened, but they can become hostile and attack while under the influence of a spriggan. They are hunted for their venison, hide, and large or small antlers. There are two different species of deer in Skyrim, though the differences between the two are largely aesthetic. "Deer" resemble caribou or reindeer. "Elk" resemble the extinct Megaloceros. Occasionally, either species can be heard bugling for mates.
When hunting a deer, it is advisable to try to kill them in one hit, as they move swiftly and have a tendency to change direction when fleeing. Alternatively, you can poison an arrow with a slow effect, to allow for an easier second or third shot. You may also cast a Fury spell on them to prevent them from fleeing. Sneaking can be problematic, since the detection eye does not indicate whether deer detect you.
Smiths should note that unlike deer hides, the deer pelts occasionally found in hunter's camps cannot be tanned into leather.
In the quest Ill Met By Moonlight, you are tasked with hunting the unique white stag. It is considerably larger than a standard deer, and its fur is much lighter in color.
Vale deerDG are exclusive to Darkfall Passage and the Forgotten Vale, and the light patches on their pelts glow in darkened environments.
- Variations: Elk, Vale DeerDG
- Unique deer: White Stag
| Creature (ID) | Lvl |  |
 |
Sta. | Drops | Soul |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer (000CF89D) |
1 | 50 | 0 | 25 | Venison (1 × 100%) Deer Hide (1 × 100%) (000D284D) Large Antlers (1 × 50%) Minor loot: gold, leveled ring, gem (1 × 10%) |
Petty |
| Elk (00023A91) |
Venison (1 × 100%) Deer Hide (1 × 100%) (0003AD90) Large Antlers (1 × 50%) (Male elk) OR Small Antlers (1 × 50%) (Female elk) Minor loot: gold, leveled ring, gem (1 × 10%) |
|||||
| Vale DeerDG (xx002C02) |
Venison (1 × 100%) Vale Deer Hide (1 × 100%) Minor loot: gold, leveled ring, gem (1 × 10%) |
HearthfireEdit
The Hearthfire add-on lets you build a deer statue on a large base in the trophy room addition of any homestead. The materials needed are:
| Deer | |
|---|---|
|
 |
GalleryEdit
-
A male elk
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A female elk
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A vale deer
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The White Stag
NotesEdit
- While present in all areas of Skyrim, some locations and places have a higher volume of deer and elk. These places include: the plains of Whiterun Hold (specifically around Dustman's Cairn is a herd of 6), the valley near Silverdrift Lair, and the forests of The Rift, particularly around Lake Honrich and Ivarstead. Conversely, The Reach has very few deer spawning locations; this hold is more populated by wild goats.
- In addition to the trophy deer in the Trophy Room, most of the rest of the rooms of the house offer options for either adding antler mounts or deer heads (of either types) to the walls. The entryway has the option to add two elk heads, for example.
BugsEdit
- Elk incorrectly use footstep impact sounds from horses.
The Unofficial Skyrim Patch, version 2.0.0, fixes this bug.
- If you paralyze or ragdoll a deer or elk, they have a high chance to freeze into a static model upon death and become unable to be looted. ?
