Had a very successful day using the muntjac calling technique Gerald Collini showed me. call I was at the wood in Buckinghamshire where I manage the deer numbers. It was my first visit since there had been lots of timber cutting and the woodmen had created several new rides with their huge timber trucks. These rides had foot deep mud with a hard crust and so criss-crossed the wood the deer had to cross them - so lots of slots to show activity. I settled down in area with lots of slots heading into thick holly cover. I was partly concealed by a tree trunk and holly bush looking towards the area of heavy holly cover, with 180degree view. I called with the buttolo and immediately there was barking from the holly cover. I called again and the barking came closer. I caught a glimpse of a buck, but he stayed semi-hidden. I called again (three squeaks) and there was a higher pitched bark to the right of the buck. A large doe came out of the holly and stood looking around giving me a good shot at the base of the neck, which took her down. She was quite heavy and probably half -way through pregnancy carrying two young. On butchering, found she was very well-padded with quite a lot of of fat. Just about to start the process of making smoked biltong with some of the best meat.
. With Muntjac, my experience is that one 'false' note and the game is up. I have just scrapped a Buttolo Universal reed/bite type call for that reason. Others may well get on well with them but not I.