Originally posted by JB73
what exactly is an axis deer?
From the Comanche Spring Ranch website.
"Q Where do Axis come from and how many are there?
The species "Axis Axis" is a native of India. The axis is also called chital deer or spotted Indian deer. Axis deer were introduced to Texas in the 1930's and are now the most numerous and widespread of the introduced deer and antelope.
Most Axis are behind game proof fences but there are also large free ranging populations. A Texas Parks and Wildlife Department survey in 1988 estimated that there were 39,040 Axis deer in Texas.
To our knowledge, Axis can be found in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Michigan, California, Hawaii, Florida, and in zoos in most states. We guess that Texas, Hawaii and Florida have the largest populations.
Q What does an Axis look like?
The Axis deer is often considered the most beautiful cervid. Both male and female have striking reddish-brown coats marked by white spots arranged in undisciplined rows along their sides. They have a black dorsal stripe and white bib on their neck, white inner legs, stomach, and under-tail.
Heights range from 29 to 39.5 inches. Mature weight is from 145 pounds to 250 pounds. Males have antlers which they shed annually. Males have darker facial markings with a more pronounced "scowling" expression the older they get. Bucks are larger bodied than does with thicker necks and broader chests.
Q What do Axis eat?
Axis deer eat mostly grass. They will eat some weeds and acorns, when available. Like Texas lambs and calves, Axis do well on winter wheat fields and put on harvestable lean meat weight gain.
Q What do they drink?
Axis will drink from troughs and tanks. They need to have a reliable supply of fresh water at all times. Axis are good swimmers and water should not be used for containment.
Q What about Axis Venison?
In a taste test compiled by Dr. Elizabeth Cary Mungall, Axis venison scored as the top tasting meat out of 22 native and exotic wild meats.
Since Axis are a tropical species they do not put on fat and the meat has no marbeling. The meat is uniform throughout all seasons.
Axis is low in fat, calories, and cholesterol. Per ounce, an uncooked Axis steak has .06 grams of fat, 26 calories, and 13.9 mg cholesterol.
In comparison, skinless chicken has .88 grams of fat, 34 calories, and 20.0 mg cholesterol. Lean beef has 1.76 grams of fat, 41 calories, and 16.86 mg cholesterol.
Axis is a red meat like beef and tastes similar to veal. Axis has no "gamey" taste like Whitetail can have, probably because they are grass eaters like cattle.
Ranch Axis have a completely natural diet, free of pesticides and herbicides. They grow out completely naturally without hormones, antibiotics, or steroids. "
