Exotic game hunting is not regulated by the state government since the animals considered "exotic" are not native to the state or even to the United States. Only imported animals can be considered exotic, and therefore are under the control of the owners, not of the government. The same is not true for native species such as Whitetail deer, even if they are born and raised on a confined Texas hunting ranch or game lease. Elk, originally a native species but then reintroduced, are under the same regulation.

Basically as far as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is concerned, management with regards hunting of these exotics is based on the decision of the management of the exotic game hunting ranch. Game managers have to determine what is a reasonable number of males and females of each species to allow to be harvested each year. Incorrect management of the herds can result in low numbers for years to come or overcrowding of the grazing ranges within the given area. Most game managers are very good at what they do, ensuring that mature males and females in the right numbers are maintained to keep the herds at the appropriate levels for the hunters as well as the food supply.

What happens to wounded animals in exotic game hunting situations that don't result in a kill?

All the guides and staff at exotic game hunting ranches are conservationists and managers by job description. As such they are responsible for ensuring, whenever possible, that all wounded animals are tracked down and killed as quickly as can occur. In reality there are very few seriously wounded animals that are not located and killed since they will leave a considerable trail for an experienced tracker.

Animals that are just grazed or have a slight flesh wound are often very quick to recover on their own. Of course guides watch the condition of the animals when they come to feed and any injured animals can be harvested as required. Ensuring that all hunters on the ranch work with guides also helps to cut down on any injured animals being left behind on the hunt.

Where can I go to get the meat properly processed?

Not all exotic game hunting ranches are going to provide field dressing and quartering of your kill, but this is a service offered by the staff at Escondido Ranch. After the meat is quartered and packed, you then have the option to take it to a wild meat processor in your area for further processing. Many hunters also butcher the animal themselves, there are several guides and charts available online that are simple to follow and give you the basic cuts. Making hamburger, sausage or even jerky with the meat is a simple and delicious way to make short work of butchering as well.

Labels: exotic deer hunts, south texas hunting ranch, texas exotic hunting ranch, texas hunting season

On a large managed hunting ranch such as the Escondido Ranch there are literally hundreds of acres of natural habitat for the deer population. This allows the herds to live as they would in wild settings, breeding year round and producing abundant crops of healthy fawns. Since the mating seasons are not restricted or controlled by man, the deer population is kept at peak levels year round.

Finally the managers of the ranch are aware of how many bucks and does are harvested by hunters, allowing the range to avoid over grazing or removing too many breeding adults from the population. In years where there are fewer or more fawns produced, managers are then able to make determinations as to the number of adults that can be harvested to keep the population stable.

What is the hunting season for Axis deer?

Typical deer season in Texas runs from close to the end of November until the first month of the New Year in January. While there are lots of whitetails around and they provide great hunting, the season is very time restrictive plus you have to have permission to hunt on private property, making it tough unless you know a local rancher. Of course you can also book a hunting trip on a private hunting ranch, but you still have to say within the season.

Unlike native hunting species, the Axis deer is considered an exotic animal. As such there is no prescribed legal hunting season for the species within the state of Texas. This means that hunters can extend their hunting season through booking with a private hunting ranch. Many hunters choose to hunt Axis deer in the summer when some of the largest antlered bucks are harvested and hunting pressure is minimal.

Labels: axis deer hunting, exotic deer hunts, texas axis deer