 Likelihood and severity of antler damage were looked at in fallow deer, to test whether antler damage was associated with contest tactics and duration; and if there was an association with the tendency for individuals to engage in fighting.Individuals with undamaged antlers were more likely to attack using high-risk tactics which included jumping clashing, or backward pushing behaviour, this was exhibited by both contestants; dominant males were more likely to have damaged antlers.Dominance ranks exist within fallow deer populations which can be linked to aggression level and body size, when competing for a male, however, how ranks are obtained is not studied extensively.