Axis deer are very striking animal. It has shiny, golden-brown or golden-red fur across its body and legs as well as a broad white patch that runs down its throat. It is similar in size to an adult whitetail deer. The unique Axis Deer has small, permanent white spots on its body.

Like the whitetail deer, the axis deer males and females are visually distinct. Males of the species develop large, sweeping antlers up to 30 inches in length and are usually have larger bodies than females. Every year on their birthday the males shed their antlers on their day of birth, rather than with the seasons. Because they do not have a specific mating season, antler shedding can occur at any point during the year. Additionally, axis deer are almost universally six-pointed. Females have no antlers and have a smaller white patch down their neck.

Though they originated in a relatively small area of the world, the axis deer has managed to spread far and wide to inhabit the woodlands and grasslands that are similar to its native range. In some areas of the world, they are even considered invasive.

In this article, we’ll take a look at where the axis deer originated and how it has come to inhabit such a wide range. We’ll talk about where they roam throughout the United States, how their presence is affecting native species and habitats, and how people are dealing with these foreign animals.

Origin and Spread

Also known as the chital or spotted deer, the axis deer originated on the Indian subcontinent. Fairly large populations exist in the wild there throughout wide portions of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, southward of the Himalayan Mountains. They inhabit a range of habitats, from grasslands to open forests.

Although they originated in the Indian subcontinent, Axis Deer managed to spread very far from their native range — even across the sea. For various reasons, humans have carried the axis deer to such far-away places as Australia, North America, and even the Hawai’ian Islands. Because they do not have many natural predators in these areas and are particularly good at competing for resources, axis deer are developing large populations there.

While their populations may be booming in other parts of the world, axis deer are becoming threatened in their native range. Expansion of human settlements is destroying the deer’s habitat and pushing them further into protected areas. Outside of these sanctuaries, the axis deer population is in decline.

Where Are They in the U.S.?

Fpr years, humans have imported Axis Deer to the United States for many reasons. The first axis deer arrived on the continent in Texas in 1932, intended to serve as a game animal. For a while, efforts to restrict them to farms and closed hunting grounds were successful. As is the case with most imported plants and animals, however, they eventually escaped captivity.

By 1988, researchers catalogued nearly 30 independent populations of free-roaming, reproducing herds of axis deer across the state. While a large portion of the state’s population remains contained today, there are more than 10,000 free roaming axis deer throughout Texas.

In 2002 axis deer made its way to California. Local biologists estimated that there were about 250 axis deer roaming the Point Reyes National Seashore area. To prevent their spread, as well as that of the non-native fallow deer, the National Park Service began efforts to remove the deer from the wildlife area. Seven years later, in 2009, park biologists believed that the agency had successfully removed all of the axis deer from the area.

While the deer didn’t arrive on the North American continent until the 1900s, humans had introduced them to the Hawai’ian Islands decades prior. In 1867, traders brought several of the deer to the islands as a gift to King Kamehameha V. They were soon released on the island of Moloka’i. Decades later, in 1920, people transported populations to the island of L’ na’i and by 1959, they had made it to Maui. Though an early population once existed on O’ahu around 1898, it has since died out.

Today, their spread continues. In 2009, hunters illegally transported an additional population of axis deer to the island of Hawai’i. Their population on the island continues to grow by an average of 20 percent each year.

Though axis deer enjoy success in their new ranges across the world, it is largely at the expense of native flora and fauna. They fill the same ecological role as native whitetail deer, forcing them to compete for the same resources. This becomes detrimental in the winter months when food is naturally scarce.

To make matters worse for the whitetails, axis deer do not have a limited mating season. While whitetails only mate for about 3 months out of the year, the non-native deer reproduce all year long. These areas have no natural predators to keep their numbers in check. This means that their populations grow much more rapidly than those of native deer, increasing the competition for food and space.

In addition to competing for resources, the non-native deer also increase the spread of a disease called paratuberculosis, or Johne’s disease, to other ruminants. While this includes the native whitetail deer, it also includes other wild ruminants, like elk and bison, as well as domesticated ones like cattle, sheep, and goats. Add all of these factors to the seasonal hunting of whitetails and it’s easy to see why their populations are declining in favor of the axis deer.

In areas where there are no natural predators at all, like the Hawai’ian Islands, axis deer wreak havoc on native plant populations. Many of these plant species are endemic to the island chain and grow nowhere else in the world. Throughout their evolutionary history, there were no grazing mammals on the island for the plants to contend with. With the arrival of the axis deer, who readily forage a variety of plants, many endemic plants have gone extinct.

How Are People Managing the Axis Deer Populations?

Where there are too few predators to keep these deer in check, or none at all, people are determined to create some. On Hawai’is Big Island, many residents collaborate with the Forestry and Wildlife Service, and each other, to carefully eliminate the deer populations that threaten their native wildlife. They follow in the footsteps of the other islands whose residents have struggled with the deer for decades.

In Texas, residents can hunt axis deer year-round. There are no legal bag limits, no possession limits, and no special conditions. The only thing they require of hunters is a non-game permit, which is separate from the state’s regular hunting license. They hope that removing legal hunting restrictions on the non-native animals will help the native whitetails recover in the long run

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The first day of my hunt had been amazing. I was hot, sweaty and hungry but I had seen game and had put myself in position for a shot. As we all know, bowhunting is never a sure thing and today it proved itself again.

I returned to the lodge for dinner, a shower and plenty of fluids. During dinner everyone talked about their exciting day. Two guys had killed nice hogs and everyone had seen some really cool animals. We all watched the news so we could see the weather forecast that was calling for severe thunderstorms before noon. I asked Matt if it was possible for me to get up at dawn and head out to hunt. Without skipping a beat he told me to take advantage of the cool morning as the deer would probably be on their feet when I got out there. I headed to bed anticipating another exciting day and set my alarm for 5 am.

Sleep came easy and I awoke refreshed, eager and ready for another day of bowhunting. I dressed in freshly washed G-Force gear and headed out to the hunting area. The sun was just coming over the trees by the time I got to my spot, the air was again heavy and thick and I was already starting to sweat.

I hadn’t been in my spot for more than five minutes when I saw the Axis Deer sneaking through the draw, heading my way. The bucks were on a mission to find a place to bed for the morning. I was on a mission too that one would not be leaving. Lucky for me I was in the right spot. As unlucky as I was the day before, it seemed Lady Luck had turned today. The group of bucks closed to 45 yards and stopped directly below me. I drew my Altitude and let the pin float on the lead buck’s vitals. I watched as the red  Glory Nock streaked through the shadows and disappeared through the buck.

The group turned as one and headed down the draw.  I watched my buck tumbled to the ground. I couldn’t believe it had all happened that fast. I headed down the hill to retrieve my Zombie Slayer. Covered in blood, the Grim Reaper Hybrid had done its job as expected and was still razor sharp. The buck only went about 70 yards before going down. “Watch ‘Em Drop.” Absolutely.

Reaching the downed buck, I was astonished at how big his body was and how beautiful his coat was. This was truly a magnificent trophy.  I set my camera, took some pictures and then turned on my cell phone to call Matt. Only problem, I didn’t have a signal so I grabbed my bow and headed for my truck to get one. As I passed a large rocky area I saw the 4 Axis Bucks bedded down. One of the bucks was really nice so I decided to put a stalk on them. I had been here before so was hoping my luck would be better this time around.

My plan of attack was to get above the bedded bucks and then close the distance. With the wind in my favor I carefully closed to 60 yards. The rest of my stalk was made more difficult due to the loose rocky soil.  Slight change of plans. I looked around for a baseball sized rock, found one and threw it down into the rocky area where the bucks were bedded. The noise of the rock had the desired effect and spooked bucks stood up. With them preoccupied with the crashing rock, I quickly located the biggest buck in the bunch. He was the only buck that had velvet peeling from his rack. I drew my bow, settled the pin on his vitals and sent the BEA through the air. The Red Glory Nock disappeared where I had aimed as the buck jumped, kicked, spun and charged down the hill. Like my first buck, he didn’t go far before crashing. Chalk another trophy up to Athens, Black Eagle and Grim Reaper.

Axis Deer number two was down less than 30 minutes after the first one. Excitedly, I grabbed my gear and headed back to the lodge to get Matt. When I arrived Matt took one look at the smile on my face and could tell I was excited. We loaded in his UTV and headed back to get my bucks. Together we made quick work of loading them up and getting them back for pictures. After pictures we took the bucks to the cooler and dressed them out. Matt asked me if I was going to head out and try to kill a Black Hawaiian Ram. I thought about it for a minute and decided I was extremely happy with just being one step closer to my *Cazador Slam. The* Texas Slam would wait for another time. What an incredible hunt from start to finish and the accommodations were icing on the cake.

Going to Wilderness Hunting Lodge is probably one of the best decisions I have ever made. My time spent there was relaxing, exciting and a place I want to visit again. If you are looking for a fun hunt, on your own, or with your friends, give Alan Wilson a call or an email. He runs a top notch hunting lodge with an excellent staff.

(*The Texas Slam is made up of 4 different sheep: Mouflon Sheep, Corsican Sheep, White Sheep and the Black Sheep. All Brian has left to harvest is the Black Sheep. The Cazador Slam is made up of 5 exotic animals: Axis Deer, Fallow Deer, Sika Deer, Blackbuck Antelope and Aoudad Sheep.)

To find out more please go to: Wilderness Hunting Lodge

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Sponsored by: Brian Kightlinger,  Black Eagle Arrows & Grim Reaper Broadheads

For more please go to these Monthly Columns: Black Eagle Arrows  & Grim Reaper Broadheads

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Sponsored by: Black Eagle Arrows & Grim Reaper Broadheads

The Wilderness Hunting Lodge offers over 2,400 acres of hunting paradise with 4 comfortable lodges, tucked in the northern hills of Tennessee between Knoxville and Nashville that offers a huge variety of species to hunt. Owner and operator Alan Wilson is also constructing a new building that will allow everyone in camp to eat at the same place.

I arrived at the lodge after a 591 mile drive, a drive made longer due to bad storms in Ohio and Kentucky, from my home in Pennsylvania. Sandy Van De Voorde, who takes care of booking the hunters, emailed me the information including I would be staying at the Razorback Lodge with a few other guests.

Walking into the Razorback Lodge, the great room was decorated with trophy Fallow deer, elk, rams, Aoudad and hogs. This was my kind of lodge!

I located my room and began to unpack. Since the lodge is located in the Central Time Zone I had to adjust my watch and set my alarm correctly so I wouldn’t miss breakfast. I headed to bed and slept well.

I woke up early and headed out for a walk as the sun was rising over the trees. The cool morning air was quickly being replaced with a blanket of heavy, humid air as I returned to the Lodge for breakfast. The food was delicious; homemade biscuits, sausage gravy, bacon and sausage hit the spot. Matt, one of the guides met with everyone and discussed the events for the day.

After eating I went to my room to dress for the day. The weather was calling for temperatures in the 90’s with plenty of humidity so I put on my Ryno Skins to protect me from ticks and then pulled on my G-Force Evolved Camo. Matt took me to the area I would be hunting and then explained the animals I would see and the terrain I would be hunting. Matt gave me his card, in case of an emergency, and returned to the lodge.

Freedom was the first thought to cross my mind. I had the entire area to myself. I was after an Axis Deer and a Black Hawaiian Ram for my Exotic Slam. My equipment was the usual, my Athens Altitude bow a quiver full of Black Eagle Zombie Slayers, tipped with lethal Grim Reaper Hybrid broadheads.

Making my way into the woods I sprayed down with Nature’s Essence scent control and nocked an arrow. Even though the canopy of the thick trees kept the area cooler than being out in the sun, it was still hot. I took one of the logging roads halfway down the steep draw and was already working up a sweat.

Before long I began to see movement down the hill. I glassed the area and saw some Fallow and Sika deer working the draw below me. I sat on a rock for a while and just watched when I heard movement behind me. Coming down the trail behind me was one of the most beautiful Blackbuck Antelope I had ever seen. With his polished, long horns he was tempting being so close but I let him pass at 15 yards never knowing I was there.

Watching the Blackbuck disappear into the draw I stood up and decided to walk a little farther to see if I could locate the Axis Deer. For another hour I scouted through the area. I watched a Mouflon Ram chase two Black Hawaiian Rams around for a while. I wasn’t quite ready to shoot a ram so I kept scouting. About two hours into my hunt I finally saw my first Axis. I was walking through an area with some rocky terrain when I spotted hard antlers. Looking through my binoculars I saw 4 Axis Deer bedded in some rocks. I watched them for about 20 minutes and decided that I was looking for an Axis Deer that was a little bigger. I climbed a steep draw and headed to a ledge that would allow me to see a long ways. I quietly snuck up to a tree and peered over the edge. About 80 yards away was a beautiful Waterbuck. I watched him for a few minutes and then, to my right I noticed two Oryx walking toward me, another amazing animal.

The Oryx moved closer and just as they were getting to within now range I saw antlers behind a cluster of trees. Through my binoculars I could see 5 very large Axis Deer, bedded down the hill about 50 yards away. I decided that the best plan was to just stay put and watch to see what the deer would do when they got out of their beds. The bugs were getting a little annoying so I fired up my ThermaCELL and in seconds, they were no longer an issue. It was back to watching the Axis Bucks that were beating the heat and humidity in the shade.

The sun was directly overhead and I was really hot and sweaty. I made the decision to call Matt and see if he would pick me up for lunch. He did and I enjoyed meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans and sweet tea. I shared with Matt what I had seen during my morning scout and he was excited that I had seen so many different animals. Matt suggested I drive my truck to the hunting area so I could return when I wanted.

After lunch I got in my truck and headed to the hunting area. The display in my truck read 91 degrees but the humid air made it feel much warmer. I parked and headed into the tall trees to locate the Axis Deer. The shade of the trees did bring some relief but it was very humid. I found a great vantage point and sat for over an hour. I watched Fallow Deer with fawns walk in the shadows and a few Sika Deer down the trail to my left that bedded down in the rocks. With sweat pouring out of me I sprayed down again with Essence of Fall and decided to move.

Using the shadows and the hillside I moved along the logging road to the spot where I had last seen the Axis Deer. To my amazement the deer were still in almost the exact same spot. I decided to just relax and watch them for a while before trying to stalk up on them. I took out my video camera and did my best to get some video of the deer. To my right I could see a Waterbuck coming down the trail the deer were bedded on. As he got closer the Axis Deer got to their feet and disappeared into the steep draw. I grabbed my pack and bow and headed over to the next draw.

Watching the draw closely I could see the Axis Deer coming my way. Using a tree to hide my movement I nocked a BEA Zombie Slayer and ranged where the Axis Deer would cross. The range finder read 54 yards and with the deer being downhill I set my HHA sight at 45 yards. The deer got to the opening but never stopped. With my heart racing I walked over to the next ridge where I found them bedded near a bunch of rocks. Trying to decide how to get to closer, I formulated a plan where I would use the wind and trees to hide my movement to sneak in close enough for a shot.

My movements were slow and silent. It took me over an hour to close the distance to 45 yards. The deer had the hillside covering their vitals so I patiently waited for any of the 5 bucks to stand up. Three of the bucks were still in full velvet and the other two had dry velvet hanging from their antlers. Any of these bucks would make a great trophy.

The sun was beginning to set over the trees and the deer were perfectly content where they were. I had moved another 5 yards closer and was just waiting for my shot opportunity. With about an hour of hunting light left and the deer still bedded, I was trying to decide if I should move closer or wait. As I was looking for a quiet path the two Oryx came up the draw and moved toward the bedded bucks. I put my release on the D-loop and waited. The Oryx moved closer and that was too close for the bucks. All five bucks jumped from their beds and headed further down into the draw. I had been so close and so patient and it all went south in a matter of seconds.

END PART l – Tomorrow: Part ll

To find out more please go to: Wilderness Hunting Lodge

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Sponsored by: Brian Kightlinger,  Black Eagle Arrows & Grim Reaper Broadheads

For more please go to these Monthly Columns: Black Eagle Arrows  & Grim Reaper Broadheads

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Sponsored by: Black Eagle Arrows & Grim Reaper Broadheads

Two years ago I began a journey to complete an exotic slam through the Record of Exotics. Hunting exotic animals is really a great deal of fun, a huge challenge, and the meat is wonderful. Summer is a great time to get out and hunt some exotics and keep those archery skills sharp. This summer I am going to try and complete my Texas Slam and get another step closer to my Cazador Slam.

The Texas Slam is made up of 4 different sheep: Mouflon Sheep, Corsican Sheep, White Sheep, and the Black Sheep. All I have left to harvest is the Black Sheep and I will have the Texas Slam Completed. The Cazador Slam is made up of 5 exotic animals: Axis Deer, Fallow Deer, Sika Deer, Blackbuck Antelope, and the Aoudad Sheep. I have already harvested the Fallow Deer and Blackbuck Antelope and this is why I am going after the Axis Deer.

I have been to many cool places to hunt for exotics: Salt Creek Outfitters, Mountain Meadow Hunting Preserve, and The Pig Farm. All of these outfits have exotic animals to hunt and many of them will have Bronze, Silver, and even Gold Medal exotics for you to pursue. This summer I will be heading to Monterey, Tennessee to hunt with Wilderness Hunting Lodge. Wilderness Hunting Lodge has over 2,400 acres available to hunters and a large selection of game animals to hunt. I am very excited to be heading to this outfit and pursue some Axis Deer and a Black Hawaiian ram. So why did I choose Wilderness Hunting Lodge?

Recommendation and Communications

Early this Spring I started researching places to hunt Axis Deer. When I did my search Wilderness Hunting Lodge popped up right away. I decided to check out their website and contact them. My email was answer in less than 24 hours by Sandy Van De Voorde and she was able to answer many of my questions. Heading to Facebook I was able to learn much more about their operation and the quality of animals available to hunt. I reached out to some of my friends to see if they had any feedback about Wilderness Hunting Lodge. Some of my friends have hunted at the Wilderness Lodge and the highly recommended booking a hunt with them. The reviews online and even on many hunting sites were all positive and that is very important! With what I learned online and through personal references I felt this would be an excellent place to hunt.

Variety of Animals

The next reason I decided to choose Wilderness Hunting Lodge was their wide variety of exotic animals to hunt. Their website has information on each species of animal at their outfit. This is a great resource for hunters! Wilderness Hunting Lodge has different types of wild boars, and many other animals such as: Fallow Deer, Axis Deer, Black Buck Antelope, Sika Deer, 5 types of rams, Spanish and Catalina Goats, Aoudad, Elk, Red Stag, Bison, Water Buffalo and many other! Hunting is open year round for hunters to enjoy. If there is a species you are interested in hunting, Wilderness Hunting Lodge will do their best to find it for you.

All Inclusive

Probably the biggest reason I am deciding to head to Wilderness Hunting Lodge is what is included with your hunt. Every hunt is a fully guided 3 day hunt with 3 meals each day. I have heard other hunters say, “You won’t go hungry and the food is great!” Wilderness Hunting Lodge has 4 amazing lodges with a 5th being built right now. They provide all of the bedding and towels for you so you can pack light. Once you have harvested your trophy they will skin, cape, quarter and even process your game for a very fair price. There are NO hidden fees at all and the prices for the animals are hard to beat.

My trip to Wilderness Lodge is still a few weeks away but I am very excited about this hunt. I am looking forward to putting the Athens Altitude to work! Over the next week I will be getting some new Black Eagle Zombie Slayers cut and fitted with some Grim Reaper Hybrid heads. I will be washing all my G-Force Evolved camo in Nature’s Essence detergent and getting ready to head south. I can’t wait to write more about my hunt once it happens.

To find out more please go to: Wilderness Hunting Lodge

Facebook: Wilderness Hunting Lodge

Sponsored by: Brian Kightlinger,  Black Eagle Arrows & Grim Reaper Broadheads

For more please go to these Monthly Columns: Black Eagle Arrows  & Grim Reaper Broadheads

For Brian’s Facebook Page: