Muntjac in South West

[dickmills]

Hi all,
Great site, I am enjoying back reading some threads.
New to stalking so forgive me if there is an obvious answer,
Having been on a Muntjac stalk with a friend around Herefordshire, I am wondering what the closest Muntjac are to where I live in Cornwall? And why they seem to be in pockets around the country, e.g. I was reading a thread saying there aren’t any in North Yorks either. Habitat seems suitable in Yorks & here in SW.
so whats the furthest South West anyone has found a need to stalk Muntjac?
Thanks for any input.

 

[wytonpjs]

Stalked a muntjac near Fowey a few years ago whilst visiting a friend. Didn’t catch up with it to get a shot off and never saw any since.

 

[dickmills]

Stalked a muntjac near Fowey a few years ago whilst visiting a friend. Didn’t catch up with it to get a shot off and never saw any since.

Well thats a bit closer than Hereford! I wonder why their numbers are so low down here

 

[63]

Looking at the BDS distribution map I’d guess that Cornwall, Wales and the N of England don’t have many muntjac largely because of distance from the original release sites around Bedfordshire. I suspect more will come with time.

Muntjac Deer - The British Deer Society

Muntjac deer are a small but stocky species of deer that stand at around 0.44 to 0.52 m tall at the shoulder. Find out more...

bds.org.uk

 

[Camelfarm]

And why they seem to be in pockets around the country

I think a certain Mr Ifor Williams may have had a hand in some of the distribution over the years.

 

[wytonpjs]

Well that's a bit closer than Hereford! I wonder why their numbers are so low down here

^^^ @Camelfarm - I think this may have something to do with it

 

[wytonpjs]

Looking at the BDS distribution map I’d guess that Cornwall, Wales and the N of England don’t have many muntjac largely because of distance from the original release sites around Bedfordshire. I suspect more will come with time.

Muntjac Deer - The British Deer Society

Muntjac deer are a small but stocky species of deer that stand at around 0.44 to 0.52 m tall at the shoulder. Find out more...

bds.org.uk

Thanks - I was going to dig that out and looking at it, there do appear to be other reports near Fowey

 

[AGR]

Thanks - I was going to dig that out and looking at it, there do appear to be other reports near Fowey

Occasional sightings in mid Devon. Good. I don't mind carrying them out!

 

[dickmills]

Thanks for the replies all. I will try to find some guided Muntjac stalking around the Devon/Somerset boarder. Does anyone have a contact in that area who may be willing to take me out?
Cheers

 

[Pro Hunter]

Thanks for the replies all. I will try to find some guided Muntjac stalking around the Devon/Somerset boarder. Does anyone have a contact in that area who may be willing to take me out?
Cheers

I’m not sure you will find stalking in Devon (maybe Somerset) but if someone sees a muntjac in Devon it’s like and everyone knows about it pretty quickly, like hens teeth in Devon so not sure if anyone has enough to stalk? I may stand corrected

 

[Twodogs]

@BenC on here is advertising Munty in Somerset, a tadge closer.

 

[BenC]

Thanks for the heads up @Twodogs , here’s one of Somerset’s finest from the end of April, provisional measurements put it well into gold. Most are now cast here but I can offer cull animals in woodland at the moment.

 

[Cyres]

Munties present in v small numbers in Crediton area. Friend has seen foot prints in their woods.
D

 

[dickmills]

Thanks for the heads up @Twodogs , here’s one of Somerset’s finest from the end of April, provisional measurements put it well into gold. Most are now cast here but I can offer cull animals in woodland at the moment.

Great I will drop you a message, thanks

 

[Brad93]

muntjac spread quickly throughout east anglia and central England due to the railways and lack of major obstructions. Most of the rivers around Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and east anglia have numerous bridges that an muntjac can easily cross in the middle of the night.

 

[big ears]

Heard reports of them west of Penzance and in the lizard. I think that the new A30 has played a part in easy if them travelling this far.
That says I’m not sure they are not small Roe. People get confused easily

 

[timbrayford]

muntjac spread quickly throughout east anglia and central England due to the railways and lack of major obstructions. Most of the rivers around Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and east anglia have numerous bridges that an muntjac can easily cross in the middle of the night.

They have swum across the Solent, around a mile at the narrowest, not sure that a river will present much of a barrier to them

 

[old keeper]

Many years ago, when the trees on Telegraph Hill were still small, I saw a muntjac, but that's the only one I've ever seen down here. As has been said, there are many obstacles in their way to stop them from getting here.

 

[Brad93]

They have swum across the Solent, around a mile at the narrowest, not sure that a river will present much of a barrier to them

Maybe one or two but realistically what's the chances of a deer swimming across successfully and even thinking to attempt it.

 

[neillfrbs]

i stalk over the mendip hills ubley compton martain chew ,and have never seen one in this area .thats out a few times a week with the thermal ect .just roe .had trail cams around .and never picked one up