Here is a short article I wrote for Fair Safari about axis deer. Hopefully it can pass on some new information to ya'll. If you enjoy it please let me know and I'll ask Greybeard about posting other similiar articles here on the different exotic species.
The Axis deer is one of the best known and therefore, one of the most popular of the exotic animals that have been introduced into the US. This lyre shaped horned trophy is also known as the Chital deer in it's native homeland of India and has been called the Spotted or Hog Nosed deer here in the US.
There are actually four species of the genus Axis. They are the Chital, Spotted or Axis deer, Axis axis; the Hog deer, Axis porcinus; the Kluhls or Bawear deer, Axis kuhlii; and the Calamian deer, Axis calamanensis. The first introduction of these beautiful deer into the US occurred in Texas, around 1930. Insofar as can be determined, only the subspecies Axis axis was involved in this introduction. Therefore, we consider all Axis deer found in the US to be of this pure subspecies. Axis axis are native to the Indian subcontinent and still thrive there in fairly good numbers.
All subspecies of the Axis deer family are included in the Non-Tusked Posterolateral Monochotomous Non-Palmate Antlered game category which includes our native elk. The lyre shaped horns of the Axis possess a very well developed brow tine, but normally lack the bez and trez tines. A single, variably developed caudal tine arises from the main beam near the midlength point along the medial margin. The caudal tine grows from the main beam at an acute angle, then curves gently and almost straight up. Main beam lengths for record book specimens will average about 85 cm while brow tine will average 35 cm and caudal tines will average 20 cm.
The average Axis buck will weigh around 175 pounds on the hoof, while the does are considerably smaller and will average around 120 pounds. Bucks will stand around 36 inches tall at the shoulder and does will average around 30 inches in height. The pelage of Axis deer is a beautiful, uniform burnt orange coloration above with white spots. These spots are present in both sexes through out life. A large white throat patch extends from the middle of the neck along the chest. through the stomach and on the inside of the legs. A very dark "dorsal stripe" from the back of the head, along the midline, to the tail, A dark mask and often a dark stripe up the front legs, will be noticeable in many mature males. The under side of the tail in insides of the ears are also white.
The compact muscular bodies of these fine animals are smooth and pleasantly rounded in most aspects. The skin on the muzzle is brown and devoid of hair. The Axis possess a very distinct pre-orbital gland and dark eyes with eye lids that can give the eye an almost almond shaped appearance. The Axis are endowed with excellent vision and average sized ears, when compared to other members of the cervid family, that provide them very acute hearing. And their sense of small appears to be very well developed.
The antlers of Axis deer are very well developed and are a very desirable source of "bone" for knife handles and other "bone" products. The cortex of the antler is almost non-existent and the compact part of the antler is very dense. This high density allows the antler to take a variety of high quality finishes. Axis seer hides make a very good leather and when tanned "hair on", is a very desirable source for rugs, coats and vests.
The meat of the Axis deer is considered by many as the best of all venison. While the younger animals provide the best cuts, even old bucks provide very palatable table fare. Many hunters purchase surplus does from game ranches and add them to the larder, just for the hides and meat.
Axis deer, like most cervids, are animals of the edge. That is, they prefer the marginal area between open grasslands and forest or brush country. They also seem to prefer the lower lying areas along stream beds or lake shores which are in close proximity to water. Grass is a preferred food with browse and forbes being utilized to a lesser extent. However, Axis are somewhat unique in that during periods of stress, they will shift to whatever diet is available. It is this flexibility that makes them a serious competitor with other ungulates on the same range.
Axis deer have an affinity for water and will frequent water sources when they are available. They are good swimmers and will take to water as an escape alternative when pressured. Therefore, a water course should not be considered a barrier when containment is the objective.
In the US, the peak breeding time is during the May-June time period, while does can conceive at anytime during the year. Gestation is around 230 days, with a single fawn the norm. Does can be bred as young as 18 months and will stay productive for six or seven years. Senility becomes evident in the eight year old class and even though longevity may be as much as ten years, older does are relatively unproductive.
At sexual maturity, young males will separate from the herd to join bachelor groups of around 20 individuals. By the time a buck gets his second set of horns, at two years of age, he becomes increasingly independent and begins establishing his domain. As time passes, dominate bucks emerge and by the time a buck reaches five years of age, he is in his prime. From the age of five to seven years, much of a buck's time is spent in pursuit of receptive does during the breeding season. The rest of the year is spent with contemporary bachelor groups. Like the does, senility begins to show itself in the eight year old class. Thus antler and general physical condition begin to decline. Longevity of the males is seven to ten years, depending on range conditions, injuries received during battle and disease influences.
Herd composition among Axis deer is basically a matriarchal group composed of several adult does, their yearling daughters and offspring. Satellite bachelor groups of young males are usually found in the proximity of such doe herds, comprised of buck yearlings as well as other individuals in the two and three year old age class.
The mature buck is relatively independent and by age four will leave the bachelor group in search of receptive females. There is little evidence that these mature bucks are territorial and can be seen wandering from herd to herd searching for a mate. If several males are in pursuit of the same female, fierce battles for dominance can take place. After the breeding season, and when antlers have been cast, mature males will retire to dense thickets for a life of seclusion while his antlers are renewed.
Methods used in hunting Axis deer, especially trophy specimens, tend to lean toward practices that where large segments of the deer range can be covered. The most productive methods tend to be still hunting, where walking and glassing from strategic points are combined or employing the use of a vehicle, where vast areas can be covered in a short time.
Depending upon the goals of the hunter, selecting the correct firearm should be given careful consideration. Lighter rifles in the .24 and .25 caliber family are sufficient to kill effectively, especially in the hands of a skilled rifleman, however, trophy hunting is a different story. Since any combination of distance and short-term conditions prevail, being over gunned is far better than being under gunned. Under the right conditions, a large axis buck can take a lot of killing, therefore, a firearm providing sufficient killing power is a must. The .7mm Remington magnum is an ideal choice with the .270 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield or cartridges of similar ballistic capabilities being good alternatives. Medium bullet weight for the caliber chosen is the best choice with the desired effect being high energy expenditure within the animal's body upon impact.
Blackpowder choices of .50 caliber or larger in roundball and .45 caliber or larger in conicals are best. Bullet placement and range must be given special consideration when using blackpowder firearms. For achery tackle, any rig that is suffcient for mule deer will work for Axis deer hunting. Careful arrow placement in the vitals, so as to insure quick, human kills is a must. Axis deer can and will go a great distance when wounded.
Most of the Axis killed in the US today are taken during the warmer "off season" months. Therefore, it is very important to remove the carcass from the field as soon as possible. Animals should be field dressed and taken to a cold storage facility as quickly as possible to avoid spoilage. If transportation to a cold storage facility is not readily available, then it is necessary to cape and skin the animal as soon as possible. Hide left on the carcass tends to insulate it and speed up the spoilage process. Hides and capes should be frozen as quickly as possible if they are to be tanned. Capes, not properly taken care of will tend to slip hair, particularly around the ears.
The meat of Axis deer is considered by many to be choice table fare. Carcasses handled properly in the field will yield quite a number of pounds of choice table cuts. The backstrap, removed from the carcass and slowly grilled over charcoal, seasoned with salt and pepper, will satisfy the most discriminating vension tastes.
The trophy of this beautiful deer males a very desirable addition to the trophy room or any hunter. We are lucky to have these exceptional deer added to the list of fine game animals available in the US today.
