THE AXIS DEER, AND HOW THEY'RE IMPACTING PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES

Axis deer are threatening parts of Texas and other areas in the United States.Show more

The axis deer, also known as the chital deer, is regarded as one of the most beautiful breeds of deer, and they’re a far cry from the native Texas whitetail deer.

What are Axis deer?

Axis deer sport an orange coat dotted with white spots, not unlike a whitetail fawn, and white patches on their throats. Their antlers are unique to this deer species, as they are thin but long, and often branch out into several impressive points.
Similar to the elk but with a much smaller body length, these spotted deer are also extremely vocal, letting out distinctive sharp, alarm calls to communicate.

How did they get here?

Originally from southern India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, the axis deer was introduced to Molokai, Hawaii in the 1860s, Maui years after that, and Texas in 1932, intended as a game animal.
The primary threat of the axis deer lies in the fact that, large as Texas is, there simply aren't enough open areas for two thriving species of deer. The axis deer and the whitetail must compete for resources.
As is common with invasive species, the axis deer also have few natural predators. While coyotes and bobcats will go after them, they are powerless to make a significant dent in the axis deer population.

Axis deer hunting

The best way to manage the axis deer is also the simplest. You can hunt them whenever you like! In the state of Texas, non-native and exotic game don’t have a limited hunting season. So, unlike whitetails, you can bag an axis deer any time you like.

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