Muntjac Deer

[Fabnosh]

Hello

I've seen a few people mention their desire to hunt these tricky and elusive little tusked deer so I thought I'd whet the appetite with this photo. It was originally posted by a colleague on a UK website (Darkwoodecho on the Stalking Directory) and shows how the skull develops as they mature. The youngest in on the right and get older as one moves to the left. They spend most of their time in cover and, when they do appear in the open on the edge of cover, they are seldom stop moving. They are a tough and aggressive little deer and perhaps one of the hardest I've ever skinned but.....about the tastiest as well.

An interesting skull for the trophy room and certainly one that will start a conversation.

FN

 

[Randy F]

Hello

I've seen a few people mention their desire to hunt these tricky and elusive little tusked deer so I thought I'd whet the appetite with this photo. It was originally posted by a colleague on a UK website (Darkwoodecho on the Stalking Directory) and shows how the skull develops as they mature. The youngest in on the right and get older as one moves to the left. They spend most of their time in cover and, when they do appear in the open on the edge of cover, they are seldom stop moving. They are a tough and aggressive little deer and perhaps one of the hardest I've ever skinned but.....about the tastiest as well.

An interesting skull for the trophy room and certainly one that will start a conversation.

FN

View attachment 405792

That's an evil looking skull.

What is the purpose of the tusks?

 

[Fabnosh]

To be honest, I've no idea what the evolutionary route is but they use them when they fight to very serious effect. It's rare to find a good buck that doesn't show scars for past encounters...some of which are often pretty serious.

We also have Chinese Water Deer in the UK which have no antlers but even more impressive tusks. Again, facial, ear and neck damage are common place when they fight. A very pretty looking deer though.

FN

 

[Randy F]

I guess I'm way out of the loop on Muntjac Deer. Interesting.

"Inhabiting tropical regions, the deer have no seasonal rut, and mating can take place at any time of year; this behavior is retained by populations introduced to temperate countries. Males have short antlers, which can regrow, but they tend to fight for territory with their "tusks" (downward-pointing canine teeth). The presence of these "tusks" is otherwise unknown in native British wild deer and can be an identifying feature to differentiate a muntjac from an immature native deer. Water deer also have visible tusks but they are much less widespread.[citation needed]"

 

[Fabnosh]

Both Muntjac and CWD originate in Asia and were shipped into the UK at the height of empire to populate aristocratic deer parks. What we have now are substantial populations that are their escapee descendants. CWD are less of a problem ecologically but Muntjac are dreadful. They breed all year round and are incredibly destructive to the delicate UK woodland ecostructure. There is no closed season for Muntjac and, in many areas, they are a pretty much shoot on sight species.

Views in the UK are very polarised when one mentions Muntjac.

FN

 

[dailordasailor]

I shot a couple small muntjac on my honeymoon in England. I wanted a trophy one way more then wanted a trophy red stag. CWD and muntjac are on top of my wish list when England opens back up

 

[Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy]

Very cool. I'd love to add a vampire deer to my collection. Interesting to think that they've retained the fangs when most other deer species have lost them. An elk ivory is another interesting development.

Where in the UK would be best? Is it primarily density variations across the country or do some areas hold bigger deer too?

 

[Scrumbag]

That's an evil looking skull.

What is the purpose of the tusks?

Fighting!

 

[norfolk shooter]

Very cool. I'd love to add a vampire deer to my collection. Interesting to think that they've retained the fangs when most other deer species have lost them. An elk ivory is another interesting development.

Where in the UK would be best? Is it primarily density variations across the country or do some areas hold bigger deer too?

For good sized muntjac you have to go to there home county of Bedfordshire you get some monsters there. But saying that East Anglia is also a good place if your after both CWD and Munti

 

[norfolk shooter]

Both Muntjac and CWD originate in Asia and were shipped into the UK at the height of empire to populate aristocratic deer parks. What we have now are substantial populations that are their escapee descendants. CWD are less of a problem ecologically but Muntjac are dreadful. They breed all year round and are incredibly destructive to the delicate UK woodland ecostructure. There is no closed season for Muntjac and, in many areas, they are a pretty much shoot on sight species.

Views in the UK are very polarised when one mentions Muntjac.

FN

Mate there are people that would disagree with you about the CWD. When they give birth to 5-7 at a time and they seem to survive before you know it your over run with them and they eat bluebells just like the muntis.
I went to a deer cull on an estate in Suffolk and between 17 of us we took 67 deer in an evening all of the CWD. I personally shot 4 that evening

 

[Fabnosh]

Every day is a school day. Thanks for the update. I thought bluebells were the sole preserve of Muntjac- didn’t know that CWD were an issue in the woods.

Those numbers certainly show the scale of the populations.

FN

 

[Randy F]

That sounds a lot like an AH get together.

 

[norfolk shooter]

Every day is a school day. Thanks for the update. I thought bluebells were the sole preserve of Muntjac- didn’t know that CWD were an issue in the woods.

Those numbers certainly show the scale of the populations.

FN

They both taste very nice but I still prefer muntjac

One of the CWD form that cull evening. The other buck I took had a snapped off tusk and cut up ears. That old warrior has gone to the taxidermist

 

[norfolk shooter]

I was looking for these photos yesterday.

As can be seen by this chaps lose of hair and pink nose he like to visit the pub have a few too many and try walking off with another deers gal.
Muntjac like to fight. They can be very territorial and as they say in the south honery (sorry if I have got that wrong or used it in the wrong context). He had loads of fresh scars and my only regret is I didnt cape him out for a nice shoulder mount. The chap has character and that for me makes him one of my best muntjac

 

[Fabnosh]

Wow, I've taken a few with some hefty duelling scars but nothing like that! What a mount that would have made.

FN

 

[norfolk shooter]

Wow, I've taken a few with some hefty duelling scars but nothing like that! What a mount that would have made.

FN

Thats one time I got a bit too happy with the blade for sure. Shame, Im sure there is another one out there that is just as beat up

 

[Randy F]

Thats one time I got a bit too happy with the blade for sure. Shame, Im sure there is another one out there that is just as beat up

Yep, just find the guy he was fighting.

 

[UKHunter]

Very cool. I'd love to add a vampire deer to my collection. Interesting to think that they've retained the fangs when most other deer species have lost them. An elk ivory is another interesting development.

Where in the UK would be best? Is it primarily density variations across the country or do some areas hold bigger deer too?

You will find the odds of shooting a big muntjac buck are about the same anywhere in the country where they exist.

 

[RockSlinger404]

I was privileged to shoot 4 muntjac near Stamford/Ufford in 2019. Growing up in South Africa, one thing that amazed me was their slow reactions. I shot a male and female within seconds of each other, something that would not be possible with any African animal.

 

[Goose Cracker]

My only munti. Lovely looking little deer, fun to hunt, and delicious as has been said several times.

This guy was taken in 2019 in West Berkshire.