recognising a muntjack foot print from a deers foot print?

[jon r]

Whats different between the two?

Some people in my area say they have seen Deer but i dont beleive them. There are a lot of Muntjack in my area though and i need to know how to tell a deer print from a muntjack print.

Pics could help.

Thanks in advance!

Jon

 

[dommyracer]

This is what 'animal tracks and signs' (Bang / Dahlstrom) has to say

"Its prints are easily recognised by their very small size, usually under 3cm long, and there is a tendency for the inner cleave to be less developed than the the outer. Howver, in many animals the cleaves are symmetrical. The dew claws are small and normally leave imprints on very soft ground, and when the animal jumps."

I guess if you find small prints only, then it's likely to be Muntjac. Any larger prints would be from larger deer.

 

[Fallow Way]

whereabouts in the midlands are you? I might be able to tell you what I know is there.

it is usually the other way around in that a lot of fallow, red and roe are seen, it is muntjac, being solitary and secretive most of the time that raises an eyebrow when one is reported to have seen it.

have a look here, its a lovely, simple guide to deer species.
http://www.erccis.co.uk/mammals/downloads/deer_identification.pdf

 

[leon-b]

i think that red deer have more blunt cloven hooves compared to the other deer
leon

 

[Tengu]

We have muntjac round here. I saw one crossing the road one night last year.

(and yes, you will say I was very lucky to have seen one)

sometimes rose heads go missing from the cemetry. Kids were blamed untill a muntjac was seen snipping them off one morning, no doubt pleased at all these rose blossoms being put within reach!

 

[Hunter_zero]

Whats different between the two?

Some people in my area say they have seen Deer but i dont beleive them. There are a lot of Muntjack in my area though and i need to know how to tell a deer print from a muntjack print.

Pics could help.

Thanks in advance!

Jon

They are BOTH deer.

You will hear Munties, they bark like a terrier (munties are known as 'the barking deer'). Chances are that you have Roe in your area. We have seven species of deer in the UK. Muntjac, Roe, Water deer, Fallow deer, Sika deer, Red deer and reindeer. Size is in that order or there about.

The two most successful deer are Muntjac and Roe, the least is water deer (CWD). Sika cross breed with Reds, Fallow are getting more and more common and Reindeer are stuck in the highlands.

John

 

[Hunter_zero]

whereabouts in the midlands are you? I might be able to tell you what I know is there.

it is usually the other way around in that a lot of fallow, red and roe are seen, it is muntjac, being solitary and secretive most of the time that raises an eyebrow when one is reported to have seen it.

have a look here, its a lovely, simple guide to deer species.
http://www.erccis.co.uk/mammals/downloads/deer_identification.pdf

Muntjac are very transient and tollerent of mans activities.

John

 

[Hunter_zero]

i think that red deer have more blunt cloven hooves compared to the other deer
leon

Size is the big give-away. Weight is another.

John

 

[Hunter_zero]

This is what 'animal tracks and signs' (Bang / Dahlstrom) has to say

"Its prints are easily recognised by their very small size, usually under 3cm long, and there is a tendency for the inner cleave to be less developed than the the outer. Howver, in many animals the cleaves are symmetrical. The dew claws are small and normally leave imprints on very soft ground, and when the animal jumps."

I guess if you find small prints only, then it's likely to be Muntjac. Any larger prints would be from larger deer.

The browse line is the best indicator of deer. Tracks or slots are not easy to ID in most cases. Location, scats, pins, browse lines, wallows, tree damage / fraying and local knowledge all help to ID and understand the Deer in anyone area. I have a patch of stalking where I have seen and shot Red, Roe, Sika, Fallow and Muntjac ! 5 out of the 7 UK species. I've also seen Boar on the land too boot.

John

 

[dommyracer]

Yup, there are other ways to identify what's about, but the question asked was "i need to know how to tell a deer print from a muntjack print. "

The simple answer to this is "size".

There was some Muntjac living quite happily in railway sidings in Catford. not sure if they're still there.

 

[pothunter]

I would suggest getting in touch with a local wildlife group find the local deer expert and ask to go out with him/her.

 

[British Red]

HZ,

Water deer are smaller that Roe mate - odd things but lovely to see - plenty of them just North of Luton

Red

 

[Hunter_zero]

HZ,

Water deer are smaller that Roe mate - odd things but lovely to see - plenty of them just North of Luton

Red

Problem with CWD is due to their back legs looking long, a visual sighting can leave people believing that they are bigger than they are but you are right, CWD are in size and weight smaller than the roe.

John

 

[Hunter_zero]

Yup, there are other ways to identify what's about, but the question asked was "i need to know how to tell a deer print from a muntjack print. "

The simple answer to this is "size".

There was some Muntjac living quite happily in railway sidings in Catford. not sure if they're still there.

I've yet to meet a person who can accurately ID deer tracks and I've met some real experts. Yer, sure you can hazard a guess.

You'll be okay if there are only one or two species in the area but then add sheep or goats and ID'ing from slots is a hard business.

John

 

[leon-b]

We have muntjac round here. I saw one crossing the road one night last year.

(and yes, you will say I was very lucky to have seen one)

sometimes rose heads go missing from the cemetry. Kids were blamed untill a muntjac was seen snipping them off one morning, no doubt pleased at all these rose blossoms being put within reach!

muntjak arent hard to spot, i have seen literally hundreds over the time down here infact it is the only deer i have ever seen here
very common here
leon

 

[Tengu]

They are probably easier to see where they are common

 

[Hunter_zero]

muntjak arent hard to spot, i have seen literally hundreds over the time down here infact it is the only deer i have ever seen here
very common here
leon

Yes, you do see a few around

Best place to see loads of them is on game shoot feed rides.

John

 

[Snufkin]

Loads of muntjac in Norfolk, more's the pity .
Size is a good indicator in tracks and the front of a muntjacs track often tends to dig in more than that of a roe deer.

 

[Fenlander]

Whats different between the two?

Some people in my area say they have seen Deer but i dont beleive them. There are a lot of Muntjack in my area though and i need to know how to tell a deer print from a muntjack print.

Pics could help.

Thanks in advance!

Jon

Hi Jon,

I use a rule of finger as a rough guide, having watched various deer and then measured their slots.

Muntjac slots tend to be the length of the first joint of my index finger

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where as Roe Deer reaches to the second joint

[/IMG]

Fallow reach to my knuckle and Red well beyond my knuckle.

This is only meant as a very rough guide for me and of course the shape of the slot is very important as well

 

[leon-b]

thats some good info there kevin.
leon