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

[donpablo]

I realize all of that but You missed the point completely..

My point: Humans, when left unchecked, have no problems wiping a species off of the planet.. History proves this..

Don’t worry. The majority of TX is private and they’re not going to eradicate exotics from TX. If TPWD continues to work on controlling their numbers (as they should), it will benefit the native wildlife and have no adverse effects on the exotics. I’m all about private property rights as long as the laws of the state continue to protect/promote native species.

[Big pig]

as I recall... and I may be wrong... Axis can both graze and browse where whitetail can only browse. so in times of drought the axis can and will switch over their food source and keep thriving where the whitetail will starve.
This allows the axis to "take over" an area and push the whitetail out. per se.

I love axis and do not want to see them eradicated ( not sure that they could be honestly) but I think they do need to be managed on leases where they are to keep them in check as to not over run the whitetail.

On some properties they are harvested and sold. Got a friend in rock springs that has the shooters out regularly.

[Electrican]

Any of you need help with eradicating these species I’m your huckleberry. I’ll clear out my inbox.

[txtimetravler]

Seems like Texas Tech has an ongoing study on axis. The habitat destruction, erosion of soils, etc. seems like they had satellite images of trails and could link an increase in soil erosion to axis.

Seems like Hawaii would be a prime example of overpopulation too.

I hunted a place that axis crept into. About 2 years and the ranch, 1,600 acres, was overran with them. The axis would push WT off the corn and make a WT buck nervous. WT does would leave when axis showed up.
Axis bucks killed two mature pecan trees by girdling the trees with their horns. We couldn’t kill enough…even Spotlighted them occasionally. When we lost access to the ranch, they were trapping them off. Sub120 WT bucks were the norm.

[88 Bound]

Lots of emotions going on…almost seems like deer season is over. This, just like most things, is relative. There are too many variables involved for there to be a right answer. The Axis deer I hunt are highly sought after and don’t affect my whitetail hunting. There’s no argument that they can and will push whitetail out though. They are bullies. They are primary grazers and compete directly with cattle. This is why most ranchers don’t care for them. Figure out the goals of the land you hunt and hunt accordingly. And if you’ve never hunted where they live or hunted them at all, do everyone a favor and button your lip.

[88 Bound]

Seems like Texas Tech has an ongoing study on axis. The habitat destruction, erosion of soils, etc. seems like they had satellite images of trails and could link an increase in soil erosion to axis.

Seems like Hawaii would be a prime example of overpopulation too.

I hunted a place that axis crept into. About 2 years and the ranch, 1,600 acres, was overran with them. The axis would push WT off the corn and make a WT buck nervous. WT does would leave when axis showed up.
Axis bucks killed two mature pecan trees by girdling the trees with their horns. We couldn’t kill enough…even Spotlighted them occasionally. When we lost access to the ranch, they were trapping them off. Sub120 WT bucks were the norm.

Wish I had your problem. You guys didn’t kill enough to move the needle.

[AntlerCollector]

Lots of emotions going on…almost seems like deer season is over. This, just like most things, is relative. There are too many variables involved for there to be a right answer. The Axis deer I hunt are highly sought after and don’t affect my whitetail hunting. There’s no argument that they can and will push whitetail out though. They are bullies. They are primary grazers and compete directly with cattle. This is why most ranchers don’t care for them. Figure out the goals of the land you hunt and hunt accordingly. And if you’ve never hunted where they live or hunted them at all, do everyone a favor and button your lip.

Axis absolutely are bullies. I’ve seen them fight 250 lb boars at my feeder. A whitetail doesn’t have a chance against them.

[M16]

If it came down to it. I’d rather have axis and hogs instead of whitetail. If the whitetail can’t compete that’s just too bad.

[diamond10x]

I’m a supporter of eliminating any and all non-native plants and animals from the landscape.

[txtimetravler]

If it came down to it. I’d rather have axis and hogs instead of whitetail. If the whitetail can’t compete that’s just too bad.

I would almost Agree…except axis bucks all seem to have the same horn profile. ALMOST could get boring. Lol

WT bucks seem to have more character.

[Black Ice]

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

If it came down to it. I’d rather have axis and hogs instead of whitetail. If the whitetail can’t compete that’s just too bad.

We have a lot more Nilgai than hogs at our place.

I’d much rather have hogs than Javis.


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[okrattler]

If they're not native to Texas would it hurt the environment in Texas if they weren't around? People like to hunt them and want them there or they wouldn't be. People make a profit off of them so they don't want them gone. Aside from that it wouldn't make a bit of difference if they didn't exist in Texas.

On the other side of that if they were bad for the environment they wouldn't exist either. The earth takes what it needs and gets rid of what it doesn't need. People play a very small part of controlling the population of anything.

So little in fact that as hunters our main argument for hunting is to control the population of (fill in the blank) and it shouldn't be. In reality we do it because we can and because we want to. Which is a lot better to just say it like that because at least it's a more genuine and honest answer.

I mean lets be serious nobody that sits in a blind or deer stand with a gun,bow,spear or whatever is making one bit of difference. Texas alone is a gigantic State. You could kill 100 hogs a day and it would just make a difference in a buzzard or coyotes life, momentarily.

[okrattler]

I’m a supporter of eliminating any and all non-native plants and animals from the landscape.

Which is great, yet impossible. Texas can't even keep people that aren't native to Texas out and they're way dumber than anything listed in this thread so far. They don't run near as fast as an Axis either.

[SmTx]

SmTx: State managed lands should kill non-native species

AC: OMG!!!!!!

[30-30]

The native flora and fauna of North America developed and remained largely unaltered by man for many thousands of years until we decided to plow and pave most of it in just the last 200 or so. That’s a blink of an eye on geologic and ecological timescales. Massive conversion of native prairies to Bermuda pasture, forested river bottoms to crop land, etc have dramatically changed the landscape and our wildlife resources quite recently. Intentional and unintentional introduction of non-native plants and wildlife has impacted ecosystems, food webs, etc in immeasurable different ways that research is struggling to keep up with and even begin to understand. Promoting further non-native expansion is irresponsible at best. So very rarely has human introduction of a non-native species had an overall ecological benefit.

Axis absolutely do compete with whitetail not just for food, but for space, water, bedding cover, etc… We are the only species that wants them here.