Axis or Fallow Deer outfitters in USA

[FallowJaeger]

I'm looking for any suggestions on Axis or Fallow Deer hunts in the US. I don't need anything fancy, just a fun day or two hunt to fill the freezer and hopefully get a nice trophy to hang on the wall. Thank you.

 

[mdwest]

Greystone is a nice place for exotics in Noth TX…

Texas Exotic Hunts | Luxury Guided Exotic Hunts in North TX

Texas Exotic Hunts are world-class at Greystone Castle. Hunters have the option of hunting over 30 exotic species on our vast property including Axis deer, Fallow deer, Red Stag, Blackbuck, Aoudad, and much more. Call us at 800-399-3006.

greystonecastle.com

 

[Mekaniks]

@gizmo can likely hook you up at at his Rockin G Ranch outside of Turkey, TX

 

[gizmo]

I’d be glad to help you. Feel free to reach out. We just finished up an Axis hunt Monday and we’ve still got some outstanding axis. We will have some great fallow this year as well.

 

[Muskox]

You know for what they charge in Texas you could hop on an airplane and hunt Fallow here in Europe and shoot 2.

Same could be said for Argentina or South Africa.

 

[Moody808]

Plenty of Axis in Hawaii too

 

[RESERVE RANCH]

We would love to have you down at the Reserve Ranch for Axis anytime. Currently offering a Special Ttophy Axis Hunt for $5500, includes 3 days of hunting, 1x1 guide service, meals, lodging and open bar.

The rut is heating up and we are seeing some great bucks. Here’s a couple of happy clients.

One that got away

 

[RESERVE RANCH]

The Fallow bucks are growing out nicely and we will start hunting them in September.

Heres a few from last season.

 

[Muskox]

Texas and Florida seem to be a lot closer in prices than they were before the big freeze (allegedly) killed everything in Texas. Seems like $4500-7500 seems to be the new $1800-2500 on basic exotics: blackbuck, nilgai, fallow, sika, axis, pure mouflon, and YO Ibex.

Most of the Corsican type sheep are now $2500-5500 depending on how big they are and where the hunt is. Some feral goats at $1500-2500.

My cousin owns an oil supply company in Wyoming, he's stopped doing Texas exotic hunts because he says the cost isn't worth it anymore. I shot a couple 8-5 years ago. I am done at these prices.

Too many really exciting hunts for the same money.

Even if a guy didn't want to leave North America there are black bear bait hunts in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Maine and other places for $3500-5500.

So 4 or 5 years ago I realize they lost some livestock. But it's seems like they are all price fixed at that $4500 now.

The African wildlife prices in Texas were always obscene, but now they are beyond that. I saw a kudu for $25,000, and I don't think it was an uncommon number.

Are we still in that much of a breeder market?

 

[RESERVE RANCH]

The big freeze was certainly devastating across the State but herds are slowly rebounding. I have seen the prices of live Axis and Blackbuck pull back a bit and are close to pre-freeze values.

Pricing is simply set by suppy and demand. With Greater Kudu cows being +\- $50k there’s quite an investment to establish a herd.

As with any business venture there is risk, but the game business is in no way parallel to domestic stock such as cattle, sheep and goats. I can tell you after breeding both cattle and game for over 30 years, the return is much more consistent with much less loss in cattle. I simply love game ranching and do it as it is a passion in my life.

As for Black Bear being a lower priced hunt, I totally agree. That being said, I’d rather eat Axis or Fallow any day over
bear - I’ve eaten them all.

JES

 

[Muskox]

I have taken a few fallow. These are far from huge, but they are high average for areas of Europe I hunt. Seen some better genetics farther East of here in Hungary. Seen some really good genetics on that game ranching show in YouTube.

As a hunt, they are not much of a challenge. But they are dramatic, and interesting and their rut is a very good occasion to be in the woods.

I doubt the costs will come down to pre-Covid rates anytime soon if ever in Texas.

Grew up in a ranching family in Wyoming. Anything that eats, can also die and cause a loss of income. We also had some exotics over the years; hair sheep, yak, bison and ostriches. Buy high sell low when the market crashes. Something is different about this exotic market, than anytime in my life.

 

[RESERVE RANCH]

I have taken a few fallow. These are far from huge, but they are high average for areas of Europe I hunt. Seen some better genetics farther East of here in Hungary. Seen some really good genetics on that game ranching show in YouTube.

As a hunt, they are not much of a challenge. But they are dramatic, and interesting and their rut is a very good occasion to be in the woods.

I doubt the costs will come down to pre-Covid rates anytime soon if ever in Texas.

Grew up in a ranching family in Wyoming. Anything that eats, can also die and cause a loss of income. We also had some exotics over the years; hair sheep, yak, bison and ostriches. Buy high sell low when the market crashes. Something is different about this exotic market, than anytime in my life.

Very nice fallow deer, I have only hunted Europe for them once and that was in Portugal and took a similar size trophy.

As for the exotic market there seems to be people with smaller ranches getting in to exotics instead of domestic livestock. They are nicer to look at and still allow the property to be appraised for agricultural use under our property tax laws.

This seems to be a new foundation for the industry in Texas.

JES

 

[Muskox]

They were taken the same day. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. They were roaring. The first one, which I think is the bigger one, I shot in a big clearing. He was laying down roaring from the rut.

The second one I shot in the fog, he was standing with a herd of red deer hinds in a big clearing. Near a high seat that was built for President Tito back in the 1970's.

Hunt report is on here somewhere.

Can you tell me about Barasingha and Père David's deer?

I am very interested in taking one, but I have heard they are like shooting cattle.

 

[RESERVE RANCH]

That must’ve been a wonderful day afield, it’s always a great experience to hunt during the roar!

We have Pere David deer on the ranch and they are by no means like cattle. The bush is thick and they can be very wild. I sometimes go days without seeing them but in hotter weather we can find them wallowing ar waterholes. So we stalk into those locations, listening and glassing to find them.

We do not have Barasingha but have friends that do so we hunt their ranches. They do require a landowner permit and there are limited number of places to hunt them.

I find them similar to Sika deer in wariness and habit, but the quality of the hunt is dependent on where they are hunted. I have seen some Barasingha fairly calm but others very wary.

JES

 

[Mike B.]

Only place I’ve used is West Texas Hunt Organization. Call Mike and he will get you hooked up for around 4500 for axis and I believe he is still offering some free range hunts for this year based on some posts on some other forums he visits. Lodging is basic but you’ll get great food. I’ve been on a lot of hunts in Africa and they always have good food but the food I’ve had on both of my hunts with West Texas have been some of the best I’ve had. I’ve hunted with them the last two years and have shot great bucks both years. Here is my most recent from last month and then the velvet buck was the prior year.

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

I've hunted with Mike at west texas org 4 times and always have a great time. But that was before prices went up. Aoudad twice for under 2500, blackbuck 1800, Corsican were 350.
I have an axis curse, went twice but still haven't killed one.
Current prices aren't worth it to me anymore. I'm traveling the world for Roe deer and similar for the same or less even with the airfare.

 

[Philip Glass]

Texas and Florida seem to be a lot closer in prices than they were before the big freeze (allegedly) killed everything in Texas. Seems like $4500-7500 seems to be the new $1800-2500 on basic exotics: blackbuck, nilgai, fallow, sika, axis, pure mouflon, and YO Ibex.

Most of the Corsican type sheep are now $2500-5500 depending on how big they are and where the hunt is. Some feral goats at $1500-2500.

My cousin owns an oil supply company in Wyoming, he's stopped doing Texas exotic hunts because he says the cost isn't worth it anymore. I shot a couple 8-5 years ago. I am done at these prices.

Too many really exciting hunts for the same money.

Even if a guy didn't want to leave North America there are black bear bait hunts in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Maine and other places for $3500-5500.

So 4 or 5 years ago I realize they lost some livestock. But it's seems like they are all price fixed at that $4500 now.

The African wildlife prices in Texas were always obscene, but now they are beyond that. I saw a kudu for $25,000, and I don't think it was an uncommon number.

Are we still in that much of a breeder market?

Wow I wish I could get those prices! I've never charged more than $3000 for an Axis hunt. Side note: I didn't lose any exotics in the deep freeze. Range management is the key. No winter kill in 30 years of raising exotics in country that is colder and further north than most.

 

[Nomsag]

Texas Safaris - Dustin McRae

Best axis hunts I’ve ever been on. Free range in Sonora, TX.
Spot and stalk, shooting off of sticks. Reminds me of Africa hunting.

Jackie