when are munties in hard antler?

[woollyback]

I've finally been able to accept my friends invite for some roe/munty/fallow stalking down near Horncastle, Lincolnshire and I'm down there all next weekend. Has anyone in this area seen/shot Munties in hard antler or are the majority still in velvet at this time of year? I'm not into trophy heads but I would really like to bring back a head in hard antler if I'm successful.

Cheers Woollyback

 

[stone]

Then only pull the trigger on a Munty that is in hard antler then... Simples

 

[baguio]

I know I'm not in your area but from looking through my records my mate shot a mature one that was in hard antler on Aug 9th last year if that's any help? He also shot a young one in full velvet as could be expected! We didn't see any other mature ones to compare it against though!

 

[teyhan1]

Shot one last night in hard antler with some colour.

 

[Paul 600]

You could also catch a young one not in the antler cycle.

 

[woollyback]

Then only pull the trigger on a Munty that is in hard antler then... Simples

Yes that is fairly obvious but my question is how likely am I to see a Muntjac in hard antler at this time of year. I live in the North of England and thus have no muntjac and no 'hands on' experience.

 

[Harry mac]

I'd say right now the odds are about evens. Leave it a week or two and the mature ones are more likely to be in hard antler. I shot a (potentially) good one last week that was in thick velvet, but looked to be about maxed out as far as growth goes, so he should have started rubbing it off soon.
With the amount of FC activity over my boundary it doesn't pay to leave them on my patch, as the FC ranger next door shoots munties on sight. (Not a criticism, by the way).

 

[Monkey Spanker]

Once a young animal gets into sequence depending upon it bith date, most will have cast by the end of May. It then follows that most will be fully grown and clean by mid September. You will only find a youngster possibly in hard antler now which will be only small spikes. Best to plan a visit after september if you want a trophy. Also, the cover is so high at present that you will be lucky to see a munty in the first place!
Sorry to disappoint.
MS

 

[woollyback]

Thanks for the info guys. I've re-booked with my mate for late August time. The only reason I didn't do this in the first place was that I was concerned about disturbing his birds but he said there's plenty of areas I can stalk around late August so hopefully my freezer will be full of venison by the end of the trip.

 

[thomas]

Once a young animal gets into sequence depending upon it bith date, most will have cast by the end of May. It then follows that most will be fully grown and clean by mid September. You will only find a youngster possibly in hard antler now which will be only small spikes. Best to plan a visit after september if you want a trophy. Also, the cover is so high at present that you will be lucky to see a munty in the first place!
Sorry to disappoint.
MS

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