Deer Hunting

Deer hunting is a popular sport in the USA and many other countries. Not all deer species can be hunted, as some of them are vulnerable or even endangered. The Axis deer introduced to the USA from India has become a common game species. It thrives throughout the continent in good numbers and has a high reproductive rate. The Axis deer is the most numerous among introduced species, because it is not a picky eater and can shift to whatever food is available, if it cannot find enough grass.

Since the preferred food of all deer is young grass and shoots, the usual places for deer hunting are the marginal areas between the forest and open fields. Axis deer prefer brush countries close to open grasslands. Such habitats provide them with their favorite food and shelter from predators and hunters. Lake shores and lower areas along stream beds are also their common habitats. Axis deer are excellent runners and swimmers. A good hunting hound can be of a great help during deer hunting, but in some areas baiting is banned.

To succeed in hunting Axis deer, it’s important to know the terrain and the possible hiding places in the area. Learning deer habits and life cycle helps hunters understand their behavior during the deer hunting. And the last, but not the least, a hunter cannot do without learning the hunting rules and regulations of the area.

Deer hunting is legal throughout the species’ habitat, but to control and regulate the population of game species, every hunter should have a license. It’s not easy to shoot a deer for a beginner, because these animals have excellent vision, hearing and sense of smell. They are good runners and jumpers. The Axis deer is usually hunted for meat and antlers. A head of a male Axis deer with large antlers is a popular trophy.

The meat of the Axis deer is also called venison. It’s very tender, tasty and low in fats. Deer hides make good leather used for making coats, vests, rugs and other hand-made items. Deer hunting can provide a successful hunter with a material for knife handlers and other things made from the antlers.