Woodlife Trails

It wasn’t the first time the Fallow deer has given me the runaround in these woods. I spotted a pair after about 30 minutes in the woods, and four hours later I still hadn’t got close enough for a decent photo shot.

I now know better than to go running round the woods chasing them. If they get wise and scarper, I will have a quick attempt to catch up then try another strategy after sitting down for a think (and a cup of tea).

The first time I lost them I decided to sit and wait. After an hour, they came back round but I was too close to the deer trail and my movement to get the camera alerted a very wary doe. They spooked and went back the way they came. I quickly tried to cut them off but they were just too far in front of me and crossed the main track before I could get into position. Can you see the Fallow in the picture above?

I immediately went to the North side of the wood and waited there. I just knew they would circle all the way round from the west and I was there to meet them. The trouble is, I was too far into the wood and they were on the perimeter track. Again the alert doe spotted me even though this time I was still. I counted 4 does and 2 fawns. Perhaps that was why she was so alert.

We had a staring match for a couple of minutes until she led them away to the east. I also went to the east to cut them off and try to lay in wait. Of course, they were to good for me and I lost them… all except one, who for some reason stayed behind in the woods. I was lucky to spot her standing stock still amongst the dark, closed-in trees. She suddenly made a run for the field and my last view was her leaping up and down amongst the crops.

I made my way to the south of the woods and got distracted by the barking of a Muntjac. I went through the wood and homed in on the barking. I knelt down when I thought I was close enough. I hadn’t seen the Muntjac but it was still barking just in front of me.

I had stalked up well from about 150 yards away and quite quickly too. My ankle seemed to take the strain of a crouched stalking walk/run quite well. The Muntjac must have been only about 20 yards to my front.

I knelt down, put down the camera and picked up a blade of grass. I blew onto the grass from between my two thumbs making a squeaking sound. This had worked a couple of times before to bring a Muntjac in. Apparently it sounds like a Muntjac fawn in distress. I wasn’t prepared for what happened next.

I blew onto the grass twice and looked up. I heard a noise and realised the Muntjac was coming straight for me; not at a walk, but at full pelt! He (it was a buck) saw me at the last moment and veered to the right. If I put out my left hand and leaned over to my left slightly, I assure you I would have been able to touch him. Once past me he veered to the left, still at full pelt and went crashing through the undergrowth, barking as he went. Then it was all quiet. My camera was still on the ground and I sat back – stunned.

That was an unbelievable experience and the closest I’d ever been to a Muntjac. In fact, I’ve got to say it nearly ran me over! And what did I have to show for it? Nothing. My camera was still on the floor. I hadn’t even had time to pick it up.

Well it was certainly a busy 6 hours. I was knackered by the time I got home. This will be one Muntjac encounter I won’t forget in a hurry.