Wiltspaniel
Member
Does anyone have any tips or can point me in the direction of any helpful resources on calling in muntjac with a buttolo call? I was out this morning and saw a small muntjac buck, gave him a squeak and he completely ignored it!
Calling a muntjac with a buttolo
- Thread starter Wiltspaniel
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baguio
Well-Known Member
I have a friend who uses a Buttalo Reed call and he's like the Pied Piper with it. I spent an hour with him just before Christmas in the middle of the day and we shot 6. Some were shot at under 5 yards. To see a muntjac sprint in, the instant he blows the call is incredible. I have tried to mimic the sound he makes but I haven't managed to yet.
FISH BOY
Well-Known Member
I have a mate that is the same with a Cherrywood - literally like a Muntie magnet when he gives it a toot.
Like you, tried to tune mine to mimic, but isn’t half as effective.
Hit and miss overall.
I too would love to know how to do it with some consistency. My search for a fool proof magic call is constant and - so far - doomed to failure 
I think there are two key things that need to co-incide. 1. The correct pitch/tuning of the call. 2. The animal must be in the right frame of mind.
1. My original Buttolo, bought in Germany in the late 80's, was brilliant. I had amazing success with it for years then the bulb split. So I bought another here in England in the late 90's. Straight away I noticed the rubber of the bulb was thicker/stiffer, more tricky to get the repetition of the call consistent. Also the tone of the call didn't sound the same. I tried to tune it but it never worked as well as the original.
2. The animal needs to be receptive to a call, either because a female is in season in the near vicinity, or kids have pretty recently been born.
Those are my theories for what it's worth, but I'm open to any others.
I think there are two key things that need to co-incide. 1. The correct pitch/tuning of the call. 2. The animal must be in the right frame of mind.
1. My original Buttolo, bought in Germany in the late 80's, was brilliant. I had amazing success with it for years then the bulb split. So I bought another here in England in the late 90's. Straight away I noticed the rubber of the bulb was thicker/stiffer, more tricky to get the repetition of the call consistent. Also the tone of the call didn't sound the same. I tried to tune it but it never worked as well as the original.
2. The animal needs to be receptive to a call, either because a female is in season in the near vicinity, or kids have pretty recently been born.
Those are my theories for what it's worth, but I'm open to any others.
I found it is a waste of time if one in calling on it's rounds, shot a pair some time back using one they came out one after the other. Called a doe in a wood and shot her.
But like all things it has to be right for both us and the deer.
Had foxes just sit and look to a call I have used before yet the next field they steam in.
I use mine more to get a head up in cover as ready for the shot.
Nimrod1960
Well-Known Member
If you find the secret, bottle it and sell it,please . I am hopeless at calling.
deerstalker.308
Well-Known Member
The only time I have heard muntjac emit a vocalisation akin to that generated by the butallo (actually scratch that there were two), but in an entirely natural setting I had a youngster clearly looking for its mum, making the faintest peep (repeatedly) you could possibly imagine, it walked under my highseat, it was way quieter than I would ever do with a butallo, the only time I’ve had them make a sound loud enough like the caller produces it was a youngster I picked up years ago only to have it’s mum come charging me from the thick privet scrub it was hiding within.
I’ve found the callers can get their attention but rarely work unless it’s a doe who thinks her offspring is in trouble, you’ll do well to get a buck away from his nose and knowledge of which females in his patch are coming into cycle, best it is likely to do then is stop it long enough for a shot, assuming it doesn’t see you at that point and bark whilst waving his white middle finger in the air as he exits stage right swiftly….
I’ve found the callers can get their attention but rarely work unless it’s a doe who thinks her offspring is in trouble, you’ll do well to get a buck away from his nose and knowledge of which females in his patch are coming into cycle, best it is likely to do then is stop it long enough for a shot, assuming it doesn’t see you at that point and bark whilst waving his white middle finger in the air as he exits stage right swiftly….
As said above by Jelen, consistency is the key, whether in terms of making the call or obtaining results - and I'd love to know the secret
I've only ever successfully AND repeatedly called in Muntjac (both bucks & does) on an estate I used to frequent up in Suffolk
One of the keepers there suggested I try it and showed me how he got the best out of the buttalo
First time I got it right, of course that wasn't the first time I tried it, I had a buck and a doe coming racing into the call
The doe ran in so eagerly that she almost collided with my shins. She turned and ran off but the buck following her stopped just long enough
On the next visit I took two does, and calling in one or two became the norm on that piece of ground
However, on another nearby estate the call never got a positive result from the Muntjac, hares seemed interested though
It has been years since I've bothered using for Muntjac again, I might give it a go though
I've only ever successfully AND repeatedly called in Muntjac (both bucks & does) on an estate I used to frequent up in Suffolk
One of the keepers there suggested I try it and showed me how he got the best out of the buttalo
First time I got it right, of course that wasn't the first time I tried it, I had a buck and a doe coming racing into the call
The doe ran in so eagerly that she almost collided with my shins. She turned and ran off but the buck following her stopped just long enough
On the next visit I took two does, and calling in one or two became the norm on that piece of ground
However, on another nearby estate the call never got a positive result from the Muntjac, hares seemed interested though
It has been years since I've bothered using for Muntjac again, I might give it a go though
baguio
Well-Known Member
There are a few other tricks to up your chances. Muntjac like bedding down in thick cover like box, privet, brambles or thick bracken. If you can find area next to an area of wood with a bare understory, that is the area to call them in to but obviously the wind has to be right. Stand with your back to a tree with your rifle already on sticks and call.
My mate will call a munty out of everyone of those areas regardless of the time of year or what is in season. Bucks and does could come. Some will slowly creep out of the cover and some will nearly run you over. It has to be seen to be believed. I call it muntjac collecting, not stalking. All with a Buttalo Reed. I have one but need to record him calling and then practice.
My mate will call a munty out of everyone of those areas regardless of the time of year or what is in season. Bucks and does could come. Some will slowly creep out of the cover and some will nearly run you over. It has to be seen to be believed. I call it muntjac collecting, not stalking. All with a Buttalo Reed. I have one but need to record him calling and then practice.
I like that "muntjac collecting" that's what it feels like
Play around with position of holes and your hand covering.
I tend to do about 7-8 calls, with a full breath in between as a pause, mimicking a youngster who might be lost. Then be disciplined and leave it for 5 mins.
Seems to work and even if they havent ‘lost’ one they tend to be curious and nearby.
One of my most memorable was an old buck hiding behind a tree knowing something wasnt right, edging forward. Cat and mouse for about 20 minutes. Came forward just as getting too dark to see. Aimed for his white chest patch and down he went.
I tend to do about 7-8 calls, with a full breath in between as a pause, mimicking a youngster who might be lost. Then be disciplined and leave it for 5 mins.
Seems to work and even if they havent ‘lost’ one they tend to be curious and nearby.
One of my most memorable was an old buck hiding behind a tree knowing something wasnt right, edging forward. Cat and mouse for about 20 minutes. Came forward just as getting too dark to see. Aimed for his white chest patch and down he went.
sir-lamp-alot
Well-Known Member
From my experience calling muntjac is like calling foxes some ignore it some come boring in. I start low with the caller in my pocket and work up, keep a good eye on the cover as some will hug it and not want break from it and keep your head on a swivel as they could come from anywhere generally from behind you just as you decide to move on
Baguio
Did you ever get that recording? Will you share it to get an idea of what sort of tone?
thomas
Well-Known Member
I use a Buttalo call with reasonable success, I give 2-3 gentle peeps with it, wait 30 seconds or so and repeat. I bought the call without any prior knowledge of using one, just a bit of trial and error but it definitely works. In my experience young bucks will run to the call, quite often I’ve had to make a move or give a whistle to stop them. Does with fawns also seem come in well too.
The buttalo and other calls will sometimes bring in any "female" deer no matter the season , well it does for me . Never tried them on Muntjac though as they are very much a deer i need to act pretty quickly on to get any shot or even keep them in sight
Pete6.5.
By low tone do you mean deeper tone or do you mean as quiet as you can.
If I screw the adjuster in on mine the pitch gets higher but the volume for a given puff is quieter
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