“But, but they are not a native species.”

[bloodtrailer28]

Hey bud, I don’t know you but you’re coming off as a jackass

If you want the state to regulate a “exotic” species, you’re asking them to do so at the detriment of the native species population…..which goes against every ounce of sense in regards to conservation and preservation of Whitetail deer.

Case in point is Garner State Park. Look at the last five years of their harvest report for the annual state park hunts. Garner State Park used to be filled with tons of white tails and axis deer. It was nothing to drive through the park and see over 100 different whitetails in one drive. Now, hunters are lucky to even see a whitetail or axis in the park, period. This wasn’t because of overharvesting of whitetails over the years but because of the increased exotic population outcompeting the native deer through periods of drought and limited forage.

I’m not “anti-axis”, but there needs to be a balance tipped to the scales of the whitetail so they have the advantage…..

Do wt really need conservation and preservation? Especially in Texas of all places? Probably one of the most prolific and widespread deer species we have in the United States.

[AntlerCollector]

Ed Zachly what I said. I would never accuse you of stirring the pot or anything

As for my advice, as always, its worth what you paid for it. If you choose to use it is up to you, Karen.

Lol’ed at Karen. You must be off your meds. What pot did I stir Nancy?

Come on. I’m asking opinions about exotics in Texas and you’re looking for something that just ain’t there. Put your pot stirring spoon down and join the adults talking.

I didn’t pay one penny for your advice and still feel like I got ripped off.




.

[Dale Moser]

Do wt really need conservation and preservation? Especially in Texas of all places? Probably one of the most prolific and widespread deer species we have in the United States.

Except in areas where invasive species have pushed them out, like the example given in the post you quoted.


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[AntlerCollector]

Sounds like the answer is everything is good in moderation. Most of Texas doesn’t have an axis overpopulation problem. There definitely are some spots that do. I’m sure lots of folks in East Texas would love to see them in the piney woods. I know I would.

[AntlerCollector]

Gotta be room for both in this world. The problem is overpopulating, and I imagine that only takes place in very few, localized, areas. Aoudad are severely overpopulating west Texas, and using up habitat that should be reserved for bighorn sheep. Big horn sheep, however...are not a very hearty species...so what do you do? Nilgai have flourished along the southern coast right along side the native species, and climatology seems to be keeping their numbers and range in check. If you think axis is good eating, you aint never tried a young nilgai.

We're seeing a few aoudad on camera in Young County, and will shoot every one we see on site. I sure wouldn't mind a few prettier, tastier, exotics though...

Non native species introduction is nearly always a bad idea...but that doesn't mean it's not fun. It's a balance you have to strike with the axis in the hill country, I suppose. As long as the state doesn't interfere with landowners ability to remove them, I can't see a huge problem.

I agree with you 100% Dale.

I shoot Aoudad and hogs on site. Both are terribly destructive animals.

Axis taste good, Nilgai taste great!

[Quackerbox]

I couldn’t believe it either. I will post screenshots from the other thread. Not throwing anyone under the bus or saying my opinion is right and his is wrong. I’m just wondering if Axis not being native is a bad thing for most of us.





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Maybe your definition of throwing someone under the bus is different than, I dont know, everyone I know?

In the end, I was yanking your chain from the very beginning.

[PondPopper]

Except in areas where invasive species have pushed them out, like the example given in the post you quoted.


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Except this makes no sense at all.... From the post your referenced.

"Garner State Park used to be filled with tons of white tails and axis deer. It was nothing to drive through the park and see over 100 different whitetails in one drive. Now, hunters are lucky to even see a whitetail or axis in the park, period."


And I've been going to Garner since the 70's and have never seen herds of white tail.. Yes they have always been there but not by huge numbers..

[AntlerCollector]

Maybe your definition of throwing someone under the bus is different than, I dont know, everyone I know?

In the end, I was yanking your chain from the very beginning.

We definitely have different definitions.

Quoting someone isn’t throwing them under the bus. Ever.


It’s a discussion of opinions on a discussion forum. Imagine that.

You’re looking for a problem that just ain’t there.

[WinslowBoy]

If any of you are Facebook members, check out the Kerr/Mason Mt WMA page. A biologist is doing a weekly series on different exotic each week. A very good explanation and evaluation of each species. And it’s not a “tree hugger” perspective either. He writes about “hunting value” on each one. And he rates each one in various categories. I may not agree with everything he’s written but have enjoyed the posts.

[Evolver]

I've seen this in every corner of TX on every size of property... some land owner griping about hogs, predators, prairie dogs, corn vultures, axis, aoudad, whitetail competing with mulies in west TX, etc. Always the same bravado about how the nuisance, whichever species it is, should be knocked out and they're the bane of the owner or manger's existence. That is until you offer to help with the problem and all of the sudden those nuisance animals are worth anywhere from $250 - $4,000.

Kind of like a guy putting all of his unwanted items out in the front yard with a sign that says, "Free Junk, Everything Must Go," but then meeting any interested parties at the sidewalk to tell them there is a $500 trespass fee to enter upon the yard. Can't have it both ways!

[MASTERS]

I've seen this in every corner of TX on every size of property... some land owner griping about hogs, predators, prairie dogs, corn vultures, axis, aoudad, whitetail competing with mulies in west TX, etc. Always the same bravado about how the nuisance, whichever species it is, should be knocked out and they're the bane of the owner or manger's existence. That is until you offer to help with the problem and all of the sudden those nuisance animals are worth anywhere from $250 - $4,000.

Kind of like a guy putting all of his unwanted items out in the front yard with a sign that says, "Free Junk, Everything Must Go," but then meeting any interested parties at the sidewalk to tell them there is a $500 trespass fee to enter upon the yard. Can't have it both ways!

I know it might be hard to imagine, but there are people out there that you can not spend money with. Not worth the risk, time or effort they have invested in their own pursuit of doing what they want.

Go read the guest mistake thread.

I wouldn’t let the pope sit by himself in my deer blinds. Not worth it.

[150class]

I've seen this in every corner of TX on every size of property... some land owner griping about hogs, predators, prairie dogs, corn vultures, axis, aoudad, whitetail competing with mulies in west TX, etc. Always the same bravado about how the nuisance, whichever species it is, should be knocked out and they're the bane of the owner or manger's existence. That is until you offer to help with the problem and all of the sudden those nuisance animals are worth anywhere from $250 - $4,000.

Kind of like a guy putting all of his unwanted items out in the front yard with a sign that says, "Free Junk, Everything Must Go," but then meeting any interested parties at the sidewalk to tell them there is a $500 trespass fee to enter upon the yard. Can't have it both ways!

Would rather deal with the exotics and complain about them then deal with the general population wanting access to the land. Unless they will pay enough to offset the potential nightmares and wrong doing possibilities because no one will treat your property as well as you will treat it.

As mentioned the guest mistakes thread is the absolute perfect example.

[Landrover]

I don't think that they should be exterminated, but they do need to be controlled. They absolutely will outcompete white tails, and are doing so in parts of the Hill Country.

I am fine with axis. I would like to see feral hogs done away with.

From a conservation perspective I absolutely agree with the other poster on the other thread comparing Axis to wild hogs. While I agree they don’t do the same type of environmental damage to crops and the soil, They do absolutely outcompete native Whitetail deer in every faction of life. They are more productive at breeding and WILL NOT abandon a fawn, while whitetails will abandon fawn/s at the first signs of stress. Axis are absolutely more dominant when it comes to food sources and will run off whitetail. I have routinely seen axis deer run off whitetails over all of our supplemental feeding but I’ve never seen a Whitetail run off an axis. Axis deer also appear to be more resilient toward diseases. When anthrax hit our property several years ago it decimated 90% of our white tails but the axis population seem to take much less of a hit and have rebounded much more quickly.

Having said that I absolutely love having adis on the property that we hunt but the conservationist in me is concerned that they will outcompete whitetails and not allow their population to get to their potential for the area. For the record I think wild hogs are every bit as tasty as axis deer. It’s difficult to compare the two because one is a stinky animal that does do more crop damage and the other is an animal that has a beautiful coat and offers more of a comparison to hunting Whitetail. In reality, they are an invasive species just like zebra mussels grass carp tilapia and many many others.

great post sir!

I know it might be hard to imagine, but there are people out there that you can not spend money with. Not worth the risk, time or effort they have invested in their own pursuit of doing what they want.

Go read the guest mistake thread.

I wouldn’t let the pope sit by himself in my deer blinds. Not worth it.

Bwahahahahahahahhaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lovemylegacy]

I would love to see a sustainable population of free range Axis in Newton County.

[rolylane6]

I know it might be hard to imagine, but there are people out there that you can not spend money with. Not worth the risk, time or effort they have invested in their own pursuit of doing what they want.

Go read the guest mistake thread.

I wouldn’t let the pope sit by himself in my deer blinds. Not worth it.

The only thing worse than hogs are most of the people who want to hunt them.

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