SPORTING ANSWERS

Roebuck and bark damage

STALKING

Q This spring, I have noticed fresh bark damage on small trees around the woods in which I stalk. Is this likely to be the result of roebuck cleaning the velvet from their antlers or from muntjac? How can I tell the difference? Both species are present in the area.

A From February until the end of May, you can expect to see fraying damage to small trees where the bark has been removed by roebuck that are cleaning their antlers.

Territorial muntjac fraying can also occur throughout the year, when muntjac are establishing or marking out their territories.

However, roe are taller than muntjac and roe fraying will usually be seen around 80cm from ground level, whereas muntjac fraying normally occurs between 15cm and 40cm from the ground.

Mature muntjac bucks are without their antlers from late spring to around July and will also fray with their tusks, often leaving long shreds of bark hanging downwards from the stem of the tree. GD

To play or not to play?

GUNDOG TRAINING

Q I am training my first gundog and I have been given conflicting advice with regards to play. Should I allow my dog to play and ‘get it out of his system’ before a training session so that he is calmer to train? Or should the dog’s reward be to play afterwards? Or