Axis Deer Hunting

Axis Deer hunting is a popular sport and a source of income for a number of farms, guides and outfitters stores. Introduced to the USA in the 1930s these deer soon became numerous and today it seems unbelievable that they are not native to America. Axis (or Spotted) Deer has a beautiful brown coat covered with big white spots; its underparts are white. The shoulder height of the Axis Deer reaches 90 cm. The weight of a stag averages 80 kg; does are smaller and weigh from 25 to 50 kg. Does have a shorter body, lighter coat color and no antlers.

The common food for the Axis Deer is young juicy grass, so they are found mostly on the open woodlands, near river banks and lakes. Everyone interested in Axis Deer hunting has to learn the habits of these animals to be a success. Axis Deer live both in herds and in isolation. Does stay with the mothers for many years, even when they have their own fawns. Some adult males stay with the herd, others prefer living alone. Coming across an adult Axis Deer is a great luck for a hunter, but much depends on the hunter’s skills and ability to concentrate.

Axis Deer hunting is a good opportunity to obtain deer antlers as a trophy, although there is no need to kill a deer for antlers. Axis Deer shed their antlers each year. The antlers of the Axis Deer have 3 to 6 points and sweep back into an elegant lyre-shaped form. The typical length of the adult deer’s antlers is 20 inches. Some individuals manage to grow 30-inch antlers during the year. In India, Spotted deer may have antlers up to 41 inches long.

Axis Deer are common throughout their range and far from the risk of extinction. Uncontrollable hunting and losing habitat because of human encroachment can seriously damage the population of the Axis Deer in future. To protect the species, hunters have to obey rules and regulations. Axis Deer hunting in America is possible only with a license, in a certain time of the year and in special areas.