The Manchurian sika deer was formerly found in Manchuria (northeastern China), Korea, and the Russian Far East.

Today it is likely to be extinct in China and Korea, but about 9,000 individuals still live in the sparsely populated areas of Primorsky Krai in Russia.

There are many captive breeding programs in Europe, for hunting and meat, including Poland.

Pregnancy lasts up to 221 days, and one young is born.

Both the subspecific name, dybowskii, and the common name, Dybowski's sika deer, are in honor of Polish naturalist Benedykt Dybowski, who discovered this deer when he was exploring Siberia after completing his katorga term.