Help with using buttolo and animal identification

[nicowilson]

I've tried using a buttolo for the first time. I'm not sure if I've got the timing right, and I don't recognise the animal noises that I got in response to the buttolo squeaks. I made a video of what I did, and I'd be grateful for all help. The video will say "Animal noise" when I hear a noise that I can't identify.

I live in an area of the country where there is only roe and muntjac, and the video was taken early in the morning on a warm dry day in mid August.

Here's a link to the video:

https://vimeo.com/287280926

 

[ashray]

humans taking the ****!,first sounded like a roe but after that its people.

 

[Frank Homes]

As far as your calling is concerned there are many combinations and variations but the one i've had most success with is shorter and more repetitive so call say a dozen times with the rhythm of a heartbeat then leave and repeat. If no success try the length of tone in your video but again vary repetitions and volume. There's no correct answer to calling, every day is different. Not sure when the video was shot but the rut is probably over for this year although a friend called a buck on the 20th August.

F

 

[James0586]

I have to admit it I thought it was a roe at first but it also sounds very human like???

if you go on YouTube there are several videos on how to use a buttalo mate

 

[Erik Hamburger]

My first impression was that the 'reply' was a Peacock call. I didn't recognize a UK animal species in it, certainly not a deer... A rival stalker having a bit of fun with you?

 

[devonair]

I think it may be a randy gruffalo..........then again I may be wrong.

 

[Swedish]

A peacock is what first sprung to mind for me too. Many years ago I had a rabbit shoot that was occupied by Peacocks. Although as the video progresses I can convince myself that I'm listening to a Lesser Spotted Homo Sapiens fooling around.

 

[FISH BOY]

My first impression was that the 'reply' was a Peacock call. I didn't recognize a UK animal species in it, certainly not a deer... A rival stalker having a bit of fun with you?

Ditto.

What has worked well for me this year is a slow and steady 5 squeek in line with my breathing and then rest for 10 mins.

I also squeek from my pocket giving it a softer more mysterious effect.

 

[Woodsmoke]

My first thought was 'peacock'!

 

[deerstalker.308]

It’s a muntjac all day long, they make a multitude of random noises, not all stereotypical, I’ve yet to find a roe verbally replying to a butalo but have had it regularly with munties,

 

[Uncle Norm]

Definitely a Muntjac Doe. She is responding but not actually coming in. She is suspicious of the call and it is the strange tone of her reply that tells me this.

I call many Muntjac and fail miserably too sometimes.
As to calling technique, I would say, soften the volume, make the note shorter, make three short, quiet squeaks, then leave it for two minutes, then another short series.
If you get a response, just squeak once quietly in reply and do not reply to every response.
You pressed the call too deeply on one occasion and that is usually enough to make my Muntjac end the conversation and depart, so try not to do that.

Whilst I have called many Muntjac with the squeezy call, I now get on much better with the Cherrywood. I tune it slightly higher pitch than for Roe and put some thread holder on the tuning screw to keep it in place. Being a blow type, it is easy to make a 'false' call, which will usually be an end of the conversation.

All in all, I find that 'less is more', when it comes to calling Muntjac. Good luck and enjoy the learning experience. It is a fascination that I never tire of.

 

[FISH BOY]

Definitely a Muntjac Doe. She is responding but not actually coming in. She is suspicious of the call and it is the strange tone of her reply that tells me this.

I call many Muntjac and fail miserably too sometimes.
As to calling technique, I would say, soften the volume, make the note shorter, make three short, quiet squeaks, then leave it for two minutes, then another short series.
If you get a response, just squeak once quietly in reply and do not reply to every response.
You pressed the call too deeply on one occasion and that is usually enough to make my Muntjac end the conversation and depart, so try not to do that.

Whilst I have called many Muntjac with the squeezy call, I now get on much better with the Cherrywood. I tune it slightly higher pitch than for Roe and put some thread holder on the tuning screw to keep it in place. Being a blow type, it is easy to make a 'false' call, which will usually be an end of the conversation.

All in all, I find that 'less is more', when it comes to calling Muntjac. Good luck and enjoy the learning experience. It is a fascination that I never tire of.

Please can you tell me what pitch you use on the Cherry? Number of turns, as I have found mine next to useless.

 

[Uncle Norm]

Please can you tell me what pitch you use on the Cherry? Number of turns, as I have found mine next to useless.

The best I can tell you is that I sounded the squeezy at its factory setting, then tuned the Cherrywood slightly higher. Maybe only one turn or so. It is stuck fast now so cant undo to count turns for you unfortunately. Once you get it right, glue it, otherwise it will move all over the place. Quite hopeless unless glued or similar.

Blow it from your belly, not your cheeks. You will get a more natural, smoother sound, which was the key to its success for me. If you pass this way A1(M) Junction 16, I will be pleased to show you. Cautionary note though, I sometime get completely ignored by the Muntjac and even after all this time, am none the wiser as to why.

 

[FISH BOY]

The best I can tell you is that I sounded the squeezy at its factory setting, then tuned the Cherrywood slightly higher. Maybe only one turn or so. It is stuck fast now so cant undo to count turns for you unfortunately. Once you get it right, glue it, otherwise it will move all over the place. Quite hopeless unless glued or similar.

Blow it from your belly, not your cheeks. You will get a more natural, smoother sound, which was the key to its success for me. If you pass this way A1(M) Junction 16, I will be pleased to show you. Cautionary note though, I sometime get completely ignored by the Muntjac and even after all this time, am none the wiser as to why.

Cheers fella - with winter approaching will be piking on the Fens so may take you up on that.

 

[GNU]

My first thought was 'peacock'!

Sounds a bit like Theo Wildebeest (Lenny Henry) to me.

 

[nicowilson]

Thanks all for your advice.

To respond to the various comments - it was probably a week or so after the roe rut, and was very early in the morning so people would be unlikely to be around - it's in a fairly quiet area of woodland frequented only by the occasional afternoon dog walker or weekend runner.

 

[finnbear270]

Perhaps the Munties like to hunt the Peacock?

 

[nicowilson]

Perhaps the Munties like to hunt the Peacock?

Aren't muntjac on a strict vegan diet though?