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?

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.

This book is designed as a reference for recreational stalkers, and newcomers wanting more information and also for those of us who love Muntjac who wish to broaden their general knowledge to gain a better appreciation and understanding of this misunderstood, maligned and truly fascinating, unique little deer."Devil Deer" is written in the uncomplicated, frank, honest and straightforward style that people who've read my online and magazine articles, have become accustomed to. My writing style is from the heart with a little light hearted humour thrown in now and again. Outspoken at times and often truthfully blunt but always passionate about Muntjac and their continued right to be part of our natural heritage.