A Panther on the premises? Then use a Stealth Cam.

How often do we hear of mysterious encounters with the unknown? About those unexplained animals encroaching into our world, which end up coming to nowt? A bit like the Loch Ness monster or the aliens in Bonnybridge, yes such legends have been around for a very long time. But rarely do they result in a definitive answer.

Those of us who afoot the countryside at odd hours are high on the list of people who can expect to experience such phenomena. And indeed we often do!

Occasionally added credibility is afforded usually by the involvement of the authorities. For instance the letter once sent out by the Forestry Commission in Fife instructing stalking tenants to shoot the 'big cat' supposedly roaming the Cleish Hills. Not surprisingly, the cat was never brought to book, nor even shot at. However, its fame quickly spread far beyond the Kingdom and the tale lives on.

In recent years there have been been increasingly frequent reports of invasive deer, most often Muntjac turning up far from established centres of population. As wildlife guardians we do tend to get kind of unsettled when any such claim appears.

As all of the deer species have now become more plentiful, local populations have begun to establish themselves in new locations. Sometimes by their own efforts and sometimes through the efforts of Messrs Williams, Bateson and Indespension. As this expansion continues, we will as stalkers at some point inevitably encounter a stranger in our midst. Perhaps recording a first for our home area. But before we reach for the iPad and inform the world of our amazing discovery, what steps do we need to take, other than the application of a high velocity round, to confirm our incredible find? Or to avoid being laughed at?

Take the case of the Muntjac. Each year reports of these filter out from areas where they are not established. Many of these these emanate from the north of England and Scotland, and they are invariably followed up by the pronouncement of some venerable sage who claims; '"Well oor Shuggie saw a pair there years ago he did.... didn't he?"

The reality however is that it usually proves to be a case of mistaken identity, or sadly sometimes exaggeration. As stalkers we all need to be familiar with appearance, form and habits of the species on our patch. It's when we see or watch something whose stance, movement or behaviour falls out with those parameters that we should start to pay attention and take the necessary steps to confirm our observations.

A good starting point is to take note of the time of day and the time of year. Think about what it is that has drawn your attention to this animal. Is it the size? Colour? Shape or movement? How many were there? Did they make any noise? All simple questions, but pointers to help you confirm what you have or have not been looking at. Even better, if someone else is with you ask them to describe what they have seen. Frequently Roe kids are mistaken for the arrival of Muntjac to a new area. The time of year which they are seen, May and June, is often a give away to what they are. As are the number observed together, and the location.

Perhaps a more complex example is when Sika and Fallow establish in a new area. No doubt they can be confused, particularly females. However the application of a systematic approach, involving time of day, location, group structure, activity, colour and tail length will enable a picture to be built up and elimination or confirmation can then achieved.

The benefits of available technology in the form of Stealth Cams can make the whole process much more certain. Not only have these become more affordable but offer as a range of notification options, meaning we can respond to alerts much more selectively. The establishment of sand traps and feeding points for the camera to focus on are also a great advantage in encouraging visitors.

You might not get a panther, or an alien. However, then again you just might confirm what has long been suspected and never proved! Get in touch and leave your tales of the unknown below. We look forward to hearing them.

* Bonnybridge is a picturesque town in central Scotland favoured by alien visitors in the 1980's. And not forgetting the local politicians who liked to speak with them!