Another Muntjac-Calling Theory Blown.

[Uncle Norm]

One of my previously held theories for successful Muntjac calling was that it needs a decent strength of wind so that the trees etc. movement and noise will help to disguise my attempts at deception. However this morning I was out at first light to a very soggy fenland wood. After a good two hours of seeing no deer, I thought that I would try calling. So I positioned myself looking into dense cover at about sixty yards distance with less dense cover closer to me. There was not a breath of breeze.
After the second set of calls, a Muntjac buck appeared from the dense cover into the less dense bit, clearly coming to investigate the call. I was able to get a shot in and bagged him. I had my Labrador bitch 'Ruby' with me and we had to walk around a water filled ditch for several hundred yards to recover the carcass. I am very pleased to say that Ruby found him for me in no time at all and saved me much searching.
So a good result, but this particular Muntjac (15.5 kgs whole, with a full set of teeth) was called in still-air conditions. I think that was my last theory on calling Muntjac, so still none the wiser.

 

[palmer_mike]

Interested to know the technique for calling. Is the call used in the same pattern as for roe?
​

 

[Monkey Spanker]

You need to consider what you are actually replicating. Individual 'Pheeps' with a Buttolo caller or similar replicate a Muntjac fawn calling to its mother. This often results in a Muntjac Doe literally crashing in to protect what she perceives as her newborn fawn which she will have left whilst she feeds nearby. Shooting Does which arrive in such a manner is clearly bad practice as you will undoubtedly be orphaning a young fawn nearby! So why are Bucks attracted to the call? As well as being slightly protective and inquisitive, he will know that a Doe which has recently given birth will be ready to be covered again and there is a good chance of some action! There is no other science to it as far as I can see. I've had successes and failures in pretty much all conditions. Muntjac don't read the theory books as far as I can see. Hope this helps.
MS

 

[Evillemon]

I recorded some muntjac making noises to each other the other night on the trail cam, was very interesting as quite different from the noise than that ive been taught to imitate on the Buttolo caller

 

[glogin]

I know nothing about munties, but it is possible to call in a roe doe using kid's terror call and most of the time any doe could come to the call no matter if she is a leading or young/barren doe. Would it not be similar with muntjac?

 

[Monkey Spanker]

I recorded some muntjac making noises to each other the other night on the trail cam, was very interesting as quite a different noise than that ive been taught to imitate on the Buttolo caller

Be interesting to hear that mate, could you upload it somehow?
MS

 

[Monkey Spanker]

I know nothing about munties, but it is possible to call in a roe doe using kid's terror call and most of the time any doe could come to the call no matter if she is a leading or young/barren doe. Would it not be similar with muntjac?

Muntjac are very protective of their young! Last year I heard a fawn screaming in terror in some brambles. Seconds after a fox tore out of the bushes closely followed by a Muntjac Doe which stopped as she cleared the cover. However, a Muntjac buck continued the chase and was clearly trying to slash at the back legs of the fox! Amazing sight. Never saw the fawn, but assume it escaped. Clear evidence though that foxes will take a young deer given half a chance.
MS

 

[pete evans]

I recorded some muntjac making noises to each other the other night on the trail cam, was very interesting as quite a different noise than that ive been taught to imitate on the Buttolo caller

would love to hear what youve got

 

[Uncle Norm]

I have done quite a lot of Muntjac calling. I have held a day-old fawn in my hands whilst she was calling for her mother who had just been shot (my pal bottle reared her then released her). I have experienced the Does crashing in and barking furiously etc. I have had a whole gang of them barking furiously at me from cover. I have called and been totally ignored. I have seen one Buck and four Does respond. The Bucks usually come in later than the Does, but not always.
I have seen a fox being well and truly seen off by Muntjac and I have seen a spaniel owned by a dog walker, well and truly ripped up by a Muntjac buck.
The more I experience, the more curious I am. What are we saying to them ? Do weather conditions have any effect etc. etc. MS makes some valid points and has clearly much experience of these creatures. However I think that we probably know little of what we are actually doing when we try to call them in. Just my view, based on much practical experience.

 

[Uncle Norm]

I recorded some muntjac making noises to each other the other night on the trail cam, was very interesting as quite a different noise than that ive been taught to imitate on the Buttolo caller

I too would really appreciate hearing your recordings if possible.

 

[Uncle Norm]

I know nothing about munties, but it is possible to call in a roe doe using kid's terror call and most of the time any doe could come to the call no matter if she is a leading or young/barren doe. Would it not be similar with muntjac?

I have never found the full Roe kid terror cry of any use with Muntjac. However I agree that you can get one Doe come crashing in the appropriate Muntjac fawn terror cry but she may also be accompanied by other Does and then a Buck.
On occasions when I have pressed the Buttalo too hard, with a Muntjac in sight, the tail has gone up and he or she is off. Fascinating isn't it.

 

[Evillemon]

Hi Monkey spanker, Pete and Norm, yes sure i have uploaded it to YouTube so you can see. Its only a brief clip but still was interesting to me as its the first time ive ever heard them making noises (other than the barking ) usually their so silen0t.



The clip in question is the 7th recording (between 7:30 - 8:00mins), hope you all find it as interesting as i did , hope i didnt raise your expectations too high lol it was just interesting to me

atb

Tim

 

[re'M'ington]

The only noise I heard in the 7:00 - 8:00 area sounded like a cub or two whittering.

 

[Uncle Norm]

Thanks for putting the video up Tim. Unfortunately I cannot make any useful comment as I was unable to hear clearly. My hearing is rapidly going west owing to too much shooting as a youth without hearing protection. I would be interested in the comments of others whose hearing is hopefully better than mine.

 

[Evillemon]

Your very welcome Norm

It is very very quiet, i had to turn my computer up to full volume to hear it. I believe Re'm'ington is right in that its the noise of the cubs playing with each other however the squeaking is at much faster intervals and more high pitched that i have been taught to use the Buttolo Caller, im going to try and see if its possible to work out how to increase the pitch on the call and replicate the noises here instead.

P.S Norm you might be interested to know that i was reading an article the other day where they said they believe they will be able to cure noise related deafness in people within a few years using stem cell injections to regrow the Coclia (spelling? ) hairs in the ears ! - CUE - lines of shooters queuing up round the corner of the GP offices LOL

atb

tim

 

[Monkey Spanker]

I must admit I heard nothing, but my ears are fairly shot from shooting and helicopters!
Maybe the buck farted?!
MS

 

[Uncle Norm]

Went to another Fenland wood this morning. Two Muntjac bucks in the bag (16kg and 15kg). The Muntjac were responding well to calling today. Two others emerged from cover so close that I could not get on them. Because the bramble and fern is now so well recovered, it is getting more difficult to find ideal locations for calling, so unfortunately I have educated two. All were bucks that came to the call today. One of the two that spooked, retired into bracken and must have been only thirty yards from me, barking for several minutes, but I could not see him to get a shot.
There was a light breeze, enough to rustle the leaves. Beautiful autumn morning.
So today 'Yes I can call Muntjac' . Tomorrow, well that may be very different , who knows ? Certainly not I.

 

[Evillemon]

Went to another Fenland wood this morning. Two Muntjac bucks in the bag (16kg and 15kg). The Muntjac were responding well to calling today. Two others emerged from cover so close that I could not get on them. Because the bramble and fern is now so well recovered, it is getting more difficult to find ideal locations for calling, so unfortunately I have educated two. All were bucks that came to the call today. One of the two that spooked, retired into bracken and must have been only thirty yards from me, barking for several minutes, but I could not see him to get a shot.
There was a light breeze, enough to rustle the leaves. Beautiful autumn morning.
So today 'Yes I can call Muntjac' . Tomorrow, well that may be very different , who knows ? Certainly not I.

Sounds like a great start to the day for you Norm, was a lovely day today. Do you use one of the Buttolo Calls as well or do you have ur own technique ?

 

[Uncle Norm]

Sounds like a great start to the day for you Norm, was a lovely day today. Do you use one of the Buttolo Calls as well or do you have ur own technique ?

Yes I use the squeeze type. I have tried several types of blown call but the main problems I have with them is achieving consistency of the sound produced and the movement one has to make in using them. I know others who use this type with good result but the blown type are not my preference.

I was out again this morning and bagged a Muntjac Buck that I stalked. I was in a different section of the same large wood that I was in yesterday. I have never had much success calling in this section and this morning proved no different. Even after I saw a Doe that was unaware of my presence, enter an area of cover, there was no response to my calling. It was still and misty this morning with a very light south easterly breeze. So my post of yesterday was prophetic..... as today I could not call Muntjac.
Now back home and enjoying a bowl of hot porridge, with honey.

 

[Eric S]

Does anyone know of munty doe call? I have a Buttolo but to me doesnt sound anything the real thing