Exotics

Axis, Blackbuck, Sitka, Fallow and other types of deer as well as Corsican, Barbado and other types of sheep  have become rampant and random in much of Central Texas and seem to be expanding their numbers.  This makes for interesting adventures with new opportunities for hunting.  You never know what may come out around you from the bush.  Over time, as exotics escaped game ranches and began to reproduce in the wild, some have grown unchecked and most, if not all, of these species can outcompete the native whitetail for food in times of distress.  Texas Parks and Wildlife held experiments in multiple enclosed pens with whitetails and one other exotic species in each pen and over time, the exotics replaced the whitetail because they are more versatile in their diet than the whitetail.  Thus, Texas Parks and Wildlife personnel are against exotics running loose in the whitetail population. 

On the other hand, some exotics are highly desirable from a landowner's standpoint.  Exotics are considered property of the landowner and whitetail are considered property of the state.   Since exotics are the landowner's property, there are no game laws for harvest - they can be hunted year-round, at night with lights, over bait, with no limits.  This opens up many  opportunities.  Also, some of the exotics are colorful and tasty.  Axis bucks can be in hard antler any time of the year, have a beautiful spotted coat and taste better than any venison than I have ever tried.

Fallow deer are known to be bossy around the feeder...this one bullied through a herd of hogs to claim the best spot to eat the corn - his attitude was evident that if you challenged him, he would not back down.  His neck was cut up from fighting other Fallow bucks and he had  several broken times on his rack.  Fallow are what I would consider the exotic with the most spirit and are highly desirable from my perspective.  They come in various colors - chocolate, tan, and white.  The venison is good, but does not compete with the Axis.

Corsican sheep were originally bred for hunting and have prospered in the Texas climate.  Their meat is a dark red and they are tasty.  Their eye sight is extraordinary. They can he heard as they bleat to each other and can be detected by their odor where they have recently congregated.  Cow ranchers dislike them because they consume the cattle's food - but hunter enjoy their presence as they offer game to pursue in the off season.