Hi,
Are muntjack deer also known as 'barking deer'? I don't know if this rumour is true. I am asking on behalf of my parents who have heard (what they think to be) deer, barking in the wood at the end of their garden.

Many thanks,

'Muntjac are deer of the genus Muntiacus, also known as Barking Deer.' wikipedia

They certainly are. The bark is very much like that of a dog. It is repeated about every five seconds in short bursts. They bark at any time, including the night. On the farm here we had complaints that our 'dogs' were barking at night: this turned out to be the muntjac in the woods It is quite an eerie sound in the dark.

You ought to muzzle your deer, Fred,this will minimise the nuisance factor for your neighbours. I often wish I could legally muzzle my Dear for the same reasons (do not repeat this, or we are all dead... ...)

Incidentally, Rac, are you aware of Debussy's musical depiction of a 'day in the life' of a young one? Most illuminating...