While fallow deer get most of the attention in Sussex, another species is quietly spreading across the county: the muntjac. These small, secretive deer cause disproportionate damage to gardens and woodland—and their numbers are increasing.

What Are Muntjac?

Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), also called Reeves’ muntjac or barking deer, are native to Southeast Asia. They were introduced to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire in the early 20th century, escaped or were released, and have since spread across much of England.

They’re now established in Sussex and continuing to expand their range.

Identification

Muntjac are distinctive once you know what to look for:

Size

Very small—about the size of a large dog:

• Height: 45-50cm at shoulder
• Weight: 10-18kg
• Much smaller than fallow (90cm) or roe (65cm) deer

Appearance

• Coat: Rich reddish-brown in summer; greyer in winter
• Shape: Hunched appearance with hindquarters higher than shoulders
• Face: Distinctive facial markings—dark V-shape on forehead
• Tail: Short tail, held upright when alarmed, showing white underside

Antlers (Bucks Only)

• Very short (rarely over 10cm)
• Simple spike shape, often with small brow tine
• Grow from long, fur-covered pedicles extending down the face

Tusks

Unusually for deer, bucks have visible canine tusks that protrude from the upper jaw—used in fights with other males.

Sound

Called “barking deer” for good reason—they make a loud, repeated barking call, especially when alarmed. If you hear a strange barking in woodland, especially at dawn or dusk, it may well be a muntjac.

Behaviour

Muntjac differ from other deer species in several important ways:

Solitary Nature

Unlike herding fallow deer, muntjac are solitary or found in pairs. You won’t see large groups, but individuals can still cause significant damage.

Year-Round Breeding

Muntjac have no defined breeding season. Does can breed at any time of year and typically produce a single fawn every seven months. This means populations can grow rapidly.

Territorial

Muntjac establish and defend territories, marking them with scent from facial glands. They’re resident animals—if you have muntjac, they’re not just passing through.

Secretive

Muntjac are harder to spot than larger deer. They use dense cover, are most active at dawn and dusk (and overnight), and freeze when disturbed rather than fleeing.

Habitat

Muntjac thrive in:

• Dense woodland with good understorey
• Overgrown gardens and shrubberies
• Hedgerows and scrubby areas
• Suburban edges where gardens meet green space

They don’t need large areas—a surprisingly small patch of cover can support muntjac.

The Damage They Cause

Despite their small size, muntjac are serious pests:

Garden Damage

Muntjac target many garden plants:

• Rose bushes (browsed to stumps)
• Herbaceous borders
• Vegetables
• Young shrubs and trees
• Ground cover plants

Their small size means they can access gardens through gaps that would exclude larger deer. Standard fencing often fails against them.

Woodland Impact

In woodland, muntjac browsing:

• Destroys the understorey
• Prevents natural regeneration
• Eliminates wildflowers like bluebells
• Reduces biodiversity
• Can eliminate woodland ground flora entirely

Ancient woodland is particularly vulnerable—these irreplaceable habitats are being degraded by muntjac across southern England.

Comparison with Other Deer

Management Challenges

Muntjac present particular management challenges:

No Close Season

Unlike other deer, muntjac have no legal close season in England because they breed year-round. This means they can be culled at any time.

However, responsible management avoids shooting does with dependent fawns.

Difficult to See

Their secretive nature and use of dense cover makes muntjac harder to stalk than larger species. Many landowners don’t realise they have muntjac until damage becomes severe.

Hard to Exclude

Standard deer fencing may not stop muntjac because:

• They can squeeze through small gaps
• They may push under fencing
• Their small size makes them persistent at finding weaknesses

Effective muntjac exclusion requires:

• Fencing tight to the ground
• Small mesh at lower levels
• Regular inspection for gaps

Population Recovery

Because muntjac breed year-round, populations can recover quickly from culling. Ongoing management is usually necessary rather than one-off efforts.

Signs of Muntjac

How to tell if you have muntjac:

Tracks

Small, neat slots—about 3cm long. Smaller and neater than fallow or roe tracks.

Droppings

Small, shiny black pellets, about 1cm long. Often scattered rather than in neat piles.

Browse Damage

Low-level browsing on shrubs and ground flora. Damage pattern similar to rabbits but reaching higher (to about 1m).

Barking

The distinctive loud bark, often heard at dawn, dusk, or night.

Sightings

Brief glimpses of a small, hunched, russet-brown animal disappearing into cover.

What to Do About Muntjac

If you have muntjac on your property:

Accept and Adapt

For very small populations with minimal damage, you may choose to live with them by:

• Protecting specific plants with individual guards
• Choosing less palatable species
• Accepting some level of browsing

Exclude

For small, high-value areas:

• Install muntjac-proof fencing (tight mesh, ground-level)
• Protect individual trees with guards
• Use temporary fencing for vulnerable periods

Manage

For significant or spreading populations:

• Professional culling to reduce numbers
• Ongoing management to prevent recovery
• Combined with exclusion for key areas

Getting Help

I provide deer management services across the Ashdown Forest area and wider Sussex, including muntjac control for landowners experiencing problems.

If you’re seeing signs of muntjac—or any deer damage—contact me for a free assessment.

Related reading:

• Signs of Deer Damage in Your Garden
• Fallow Deer in Sussex