New land

african jack

Well-Known Member
Just been offered some woodland near Doncaster farmer says there are munty on it full of brambles I could not see any what should I be looking for and are they prolific in the Doncaster area
 
Last edited:
I'd check for slots in any damp areas, as you say there's a lot of cover so seeing them will be nigh on impossible unless there are some wide paths or rides. Alternatively listen out at dusk and you may hear them barking although being on the edge of the population they are likely to be few and far between meaning they will probably be less vocal.
 
Thanks guys shoot on a game shoot about 3 mile away and seen 2 in three years don't think there is many in the area
 
Last edited:
Deerstalking opportunities are very few and far between in and aroun Donny, and whilst I know of there being roe and reds in certain areas I've not heard of munties being spoken of until now. Many farmers are extremely reluctant to let people go after the deer or already have someone shooting them, poaching with lurchers used to be vey prolific around Donny although its not as bad now.
If the farmer has told you there are muntjac then he will know what he's talking about and I would take the land in a flash as land in that area is as I say hard to come by. Do make sure that you get written permission to to shoot deer and make sure he hasn't given someone permission by wor of mouth in the past as sure as hell they'll turn up and give you grief.

as for signs....
Slots in mud, tunnels through the brambles, 'runs' across ditches. Try putting a feed station out with some split maize and then look for activity around that station.

im a Donny lad myself and so I have a good knowledge of the area...... Just incase anyone was planning on arguing.

good luck and keep it close to your chest.

​steve
 
AJ, Don't worry too much about not seeing them now. It won't take long for them to clear the bramble.
 
Been muntjac in and around the area for a number of years, three fished out of the canal less than a mile from my house last year.
Keep hearing reports of them all over the area some from reliable sources ie reserve wardens, have defiantly seen odd slots and droppings on my land but as yet not bumped or seen one..
 
Farmer said he saw one while spraying earlier in year I cannot see any signs don't think it is viable would have problems getting land passed would need high seats may be in 5 years thanks for your replies
 
If its for free, what's the problem ? If he has seen them they will be there in numbers if its as thick as you say. Don't worry in advance about getting land passed if there is a need to control deer it won't be refused but as you say they may request a seat. The muntjac will come out into the fied margins anyway so you won't have to worry about cutting back vast swathes of bramble.
if you move about the wood at last light you may get the Munties barking it may give you an idea about what's there, you can often get a few of them barking from different locations at the same time.

if you don't want it now though I'm sure there will be plenty of others that would, or maybe find a partner off here or a mate that would share the cost of seats with you. Either way don't turn your back on it !
 
The browse line, and their trails, inside the wood will be a clear indicator of Muntjac ; they really are creatures of habit. If there is a brook running through it even better, a high water table will be keeping their browse in good condition.

I took on a very small permission for Muntjac recently, had the land cleared (footpath, road, housing all adjacent), high seat, and patience. Forget going out at last light, get there before daybreak, so this week (mid-July) set up before 04.00 ; one tiny corner 30 metres by 30 metres has yielded five does in six dawn outings since 26th June.

Best of luck, S
 
Last edited:
Farmer said he saw one while spraying earlier in year I cannot see any signs

That makes a pleasant change: farmers usually see one or two animals which grow in number in their minds' eye by a factor of at least ten!!

I should go out at dusk and listen for barking. Go out anytime to look for visual signs. In my area they have a tendency - generalisation alert!! - to sneak back into woodland overnight coming out again at light and spend the days grazing and couching to cud.

I'd refer back to your game shoot experience especially if you've been beating/brushing through cover strips and mixed woodland with feed hoppers: what you've seen sneaking back through the line of beaters will be a fair indication. If, on the other hand, you're the gent sat out on a peg you're more likely to have seen fox than muntjac.:lol:
 
Back
Top