Gray brocket

Scientific name: Mazama gouazoubira

Field notes

Appearance

Small gray-brown deer with darker markings along the spine and rump. Males carry short, unbranched antlers (8–10 cm); females are antlerless. Sexual dimorphism in antler presence only.

Size and weight

Males 3.3–4.5 kg, females 3.0–4.0 kg; body length 65–77 cm.

Habitat

Occurs in humid forests, gallery forests, and dense scrubland from sea level to approximately 2,000 m elevation. Prefers areas with thick understory cover and proximity to water sources.

Distribution

Range extends from southern Mexico through Central America to northern Argentina. Widely distributed across the Amazon basin and Atlantic Forest regions; prefers humid lowland and montane forests.

Diet

Primarily fruits, leaves, and fallen vegetation; opportunistically browses on low herbs and shrubs. Fruit availability drives seasonal movement and feeding intensity.

Behaviour

Primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, moving most actively at dawn and dusk. Solitary or in pairs; territorial males maintain small home ranges and mark with glandular secretions and rubs.

Hunting tips

Look for small, round droppings along game trails near dense cover and water. Track size is distinct (approximately 2.5 cm hoof print). Approach into wind along forest edges at dawn or dusk; move slowly through thick understory where animals feed at night. Early morning stillhunting near fruit-producing trees yields best results.

Carcass weight

This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 3 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

Current language: en

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.