Muntjac and water deer were introduced to Britain from East Asia. This book provides a comprehensive overview of their natural history and the management of their environmental impacts. In lowland England, muntjac deer are one of the drivers of changes in woodland structure and species composition, and many of the principles relating to such woodland impact are also applicable to the activities of other species of deer. Interest in environmental impacts of deer is not solely restricted to woodlands. The highest densities of water deer occur in wetlands, where there is potential for conflict, and considerable numbers are also found on agricultural land. Muntjac have also settled in suburbia and frequently cause impacts there. Conservationists and national decision makers are concerned both about invasive alien species and about increasing deer populations. The first section covers the natural history of both species including: breeding biology, deer in the field, colonisation of Britain, a detailed look at colonisation in a single county, methods for studying deer populations and a review of deer population numbers. The second section covers environmental impact: risk assessment, impact management, control of muntjac, effect of muntjac browsing and grazing, habitat recovery from muntjac impacts and a study on the impacts of water deer. The section concludes with an overview of management and monitoring. The costs and benefits of both species are discussed, and questions asked about whether we are getting on top of problems caused by muntjac (locally and nationally) and will water deer turn out to be similar to muntjac? Attitudes and approaches to these species are changing: with water deer we are actively studying whether it might be an environmental problem, not waiting until after it has obviously become one. What will happen to distribution, numbers, impacts and attitudes in the future? Will water deer ever become a suburban animal? What does the future hold for water deer in China and Korea - and how important is the English population as a global conservation resource?

Deer Stalking and Management is a wide-ranging book written in a practical style. It encapsulates the often solitary experiences of the stalker who has only the wildlife for company and considers a world that many people do not know about, do not understand and which many find alien. The author is deeply involved in deer management and stalking and is passionately concerned about the welfare of these beautiful animals. His objective is to both educate and inform. In this book, he summarizes the natural history and characteristics of all the species of deer found in the United Kingdom, assesses the environmental impact of deer, describes the type of damage they do and how it can be identified; explains why deer management is essential, not just for commercial reasons, but also for the welfare of the animals themselves and discusses the organizations associated with deer management and the associated training courses and qualifications that are available. He analyses the rifles and cartridges that can be used by the deer stalker as well as rifle maintenance, ballistics, sights, sound moderators, clothing and ancillary equipment. Careful consideration is given to all aspects of deer management, stalking methods, and taking and placing the shot correctly. He also explains how the carcass should be handled and describes gralloching, skinning and jointing, and deer diseases and injuries and accidents to deer caused by road traffic accidents and wire fencing. With an overview of firearms law in England, Wales and Scotland as it relates to deer, this is a comprehensive guide written in a practical and no-nonsense style. Aimed at all those interested in field sports, country pursuits and especially those interested in deer, deer management and stalking and fully illustrated with 149 colour photographs and 14 diagrams.

Introduced to Britain from its native China in the nineteenth century, Reeves's muntjac has spent the past hundred years colonising southern and eastern England. Its phenomenal success has sometimes brought it into sharp conflict with those who make their living in the countryside, with conservationists and road users alike. As a result, and with no natural predators to control their numbers, muntjac must be managed.To the deer stalker this presents a new sporting opportunity, for though they may be the smallest of our deer species, muntjac are nonetheless a challenging and absorbing quarry to hunt. In this book, Graham Downing has outlined their origin and spread, and explained in detail their natural history before sharing his experiences of muntjac stalking. He covers the pursuit of muntjac on foot, the use of high seats and calls, and even the rare opportunity to stalk barking muntjac by sound alone. For the stalker who is interested in trophies there is advice on the preparation and measuring of heads, while nobody who enjoys locally sourced food, fresh from the countryside, can fail to be enthused by his notes on muntjac cookery.This is a book about stalking muntjac, but it is also a book designed to improve understanding of this fascinating species and to encourage its responsible and humane management.

Deer stalking entails much more than walking the countryside with a rifle; there is a great deal to be considered prior to lacing boots and donning a green fleece. It is often said that the real work starts after the trigger has been squeezed. This book looks at all aspects of the pursuit, with clear explanations accompanied by advice, images and anecdotes. In addition, there is a unique reference chapter of all potential conditions a deer may suffer from, with full descriptions and images, and advice on suitability for entering the food chain. Specific coverage includes: laws, leases and making a start obtaining an FAC: the necessary equipment in this technological age; deer species, with identifying images; deer senses and how they shape our approach to them; shot placement and maximum shooting distances; the importance of bullet design and its effect on the carcass; stalking activities by month through the year; after the stalk - sticking, initial evisceration, inspection and recovery; at the larder - hygiene, and who needs to register as a food business and finally, inspecting the carcass, with a library of images showing conditions.

This volume provides comprehensive overviews of each terrestrial cetartiodactyl species’ biology including palaeontology, physiology, genetics, reproduction and development, ecology, habitat and diet. Their economic significance and management, as well as future challenges for research and conservation are also addressed. Each chapter includes a distribution map, a photograph of the animal and key literature. This authoritative volume of the Handbook of the Mammals of Europe is a timely and detailed compilation of all European terrestrial cetartiodactyls and will appeal to academics and students in mammal research, as well as to professionals dealing with mammal management, including control, use and conservation.