Muntjac

Muntjac deer

Muntjac tend to be most active for around three hours before dusk and two hours afterwards

Muntjac deer are a non-native species also known as Reeves’ deer.

They arrived in England in the early 20th century from China, brought into Woburn Park in Bedfordshire. After escaping (and being deliberately released) they prospered and are now to be found across south and central England and Wales.

Muntjac are small and stocky and found in forests, scrub and overgrown gardens.

It is open season on Muntjac all year round but care should be taken to use the right gun and ammunition.

Muntjac breed all year round and can conceive within days of giving birth.

They frequently bark loudly, giving them the name ‘barking deer’, particularly when disturbed. They are not strictly nocturnal but peak activity is first thing in the morning and at dusk.

Muntjac deer bucks (males) grow to 44 – 52cm at the shoulder and weigh 10 – 18kg. Does (females) are 43 – 52cm at the shoulder and weigh 9 – 16kg.

muntjac

How to call muntjac deer

  • June 3, 2019

Learning how to call muntjac deer can be a deadly tactic but you need a strategy, stealth and a good call, writes Graham Downing

Muntjac hiding

All about muntjac

  • February 15, 2019

Small, secretive and constantly on the move, the muntjac is a challenging quarry for the deer stalker. Little bigger than a springer spaniel, it offers a difficult target among the thick undergrowth that it prefers to live in. Although its antlers are simple things, usually not more than a couple…

Muntjac in gardens

Shooting deer near houses. Is it legal?

  • August 23, 2018

Deer have moved into my area and are coming into the garden, damaging plants and vegetables. How high a fence will I need to keep the little ******* out?

Stalking muntjac

Stalking muntjac – a real sporting challenge

  • June 26, 2018

The diminutive muntjac deer arrived in Britain in 1900 as a plaything of the 11th Duke of Bedford who added it to his deer park at Woburn Abbey.  Rumour has it that the Duke was so fond of this little species that he engineered a series of clandestine releases, driving…

Deer seasons for red deer

2019 deer seasons

  • February 28, 2018

Red deer England and Wales: Aug 1-April 30 (stags) Nov 1 – Mar 31 (hinds) Scotland: July 1-Oct 20 (stags) Oct 21-Feb 15 (hinds) Northern Ireland: Aug 1-April 30 (stags) Nov 1-March 31 (hinds)   Sika deer England and Wales: Aug 1-April 30 (stags) Nov 1 – March 31 (hinds)…

Red deer

Open seasons for deer

  • June 21, 2016

Here is our list of open seasons for the various species of deer when you can go out stalking. (Dates are inclusive.) Red Stags England and Wales: 1 August – 30 April Scotland: 1 July – 20 October Northern Ireland: 1 August – 30 April Red hinds England and Wales:…

CIC UK Other Species review

  • February 12, 2014

From tusks that didn't break records to those that smashed them, the CIC review of non-natives and other species threw up surprises, especially with the largest set of Chinese water deer tusks ever recorded

call muntjac deer

Is deer stalking with a .308 overkill for Muntjac?

  • July 17, 2013

I read about deer stalking in another shooting magazine recently and a stalker went in pursuit of a large Muntjac. I was perturbed to read that his chosen calibre was .308. Surely this smacks of overkill?

Chinese water deer doe

Where can I stalk Chinese Water Deer?

  • October 11, 2012

Do you think there is any chance that the UK’s Chinese Water Deer population might eventually spread to parts of the Midlands?

call muntjac deer

Shooting census shows large rise in non-native species

  • July 20, 2011

Results of the National Gamebag Census (NGC), which shows rising and falling population trends for 20 mammal species, have been published online for the first time by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).