Game
Eland
The Eland is a savannah plains antelope native to East and South Africa. Although they are oxlike in stature, the eland is the word’s largest antelope. Both males and females have horns that spiral tightly although the horns of the female tend to grow longer and thinner. These large animals weigh between 1,300 - 2,200 pounds. Eland meat is known for its taste as it is quite similar in flavor and texture to beef.
Fallow
The Fallow deer is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and Asia Minor. Of all the world’s deer, Fallow are the most widely kept and have been introduced to all inhabited continents. Texas holds around 10,000 total with about 1/3 living outside confinement. Fallow are a medium sized deer, adult males carry large palmate antlers. The coat color of these deer varies greatly but they commonly don shades of rust and tan, with some spotting similar to the white tail fawn.
Axis
The Axis deer also known as Chital, is a spotted species of deer native to India. Their most prominent feature is their spots which unlike the native white tail, they retain their entire life. Axis venison is often considered to be one of the finest in the world. They are a larger deer species with does weighing an average of about 100 pounds and bucks between 150 and 250 pounds.
Scimitar Horned Oryx
These Oryx are found in the desert to semi-desert region of Africa known as the Great Steppe, which borders the edge of the Sahara. These are large white animals with rust colored neck and chest. Both male and females carry horns that curve backward, but the cow’s horns tend to be more slender. These animals tend to travel in herds of 2-40 with one dominate bull who provides the guidance as to when and where they will move. Oryx meat is a favorite of many and is described as beef-like in texture and can be cooked as such.
Pere David’s Deer
Biologists believe that Pere David’s deer could once be found roaming in the marshes and plains of China where they would often wallow in the wetlands. Until recently there had been very little observation of these deer in the wild. In the 1860’s the Pere David’s deer or the Milu as it is known in China was nearing extinction. In an effort to try to preserve them, the Emperor of China put them in a heavily guarded but small and isolated preserve. Unfortunately this put them at risk for disease, predation, and exposure to elements. But a French missionary known as Pere Armand David had heard about these guarded deer and as a devoted naturalist, he greatly desired to see these deer. Later he would see to their being first made it known to the west. They are not your typical deer, with webbed toes for swimming, a horse-like head, a donkey-like tail, and the antlers in the likeness of deer. They could be referred to as the luckiest of unlucky as they were once claimed extinct in the wild, but after reintroduction to to their native land a few decades ago, their population in the wild has grown to the thousands. These deer are resilient, intelligent, and a sight to behold.
Aoudad
Barbary sheep, better known as Aoudad are a relatively large sheep native to the mountainous areas of North Africa. In the US, they occupy the same areas as big horn sheep and compete with them for resources. Both ewes and rams have large curved horns though the horns of the female are slightly smaller than that of the male. These sheep are known to be territorial and aggressive, they are able to escape predators easily with their ability to climb. These sheep run in packs of various sizes and maturity. Their resilience and determination makes for a thrilling hunt!
Blackbuck
The blackbuck is an antelope indigenous to the plains of India. While similar in stature to other antelope it is the adult male’s antlers that set them apart. The males carry horns averaging around 20 inches in length with the world record being 28.1 inches. They are v-shaped, spirally twisted, and covered with ridges. In addition to their horns, mature males have a beautiful contrasting black and white coat that sets them apart from the others. Blackbucks tend to avoid wooded areas as they prefer to graze in plentiful fields of grass and they can tolerate the hottest sun. Blackbuck meat is considered one of the best of the antelope species and hunters often choose to harvest them for their meat and mount alike.
Sika
Sika deer are smaller members of the elk species. These deer have dark brown coats but tend to keep their white spots even as adults. The spots show more prominently in the summer months. The majestic stags grow a shaggy mane down their neck along with beautiful antlers. Sika originate from Japan, East Asia, and Taiwan. They have been introduced to various locations in the United States, including Texas. Sika deer are one of the most vocal of the deer family and have at least 5 distinct calls. During breeding season stags can be heard bugling for their hinds which has been described as a multi-pitched wail, while hinds use soft bleats to summon their young and to communicate with other females. Their meat is another favorite of game hunters.
Watusi
Watusi are most known for their strikingly large horns that can reach up to 8 feet across with a record circumference of 40 inches. They have been prized for their beauty and used as ceremonial animals in their primary homelands of Uganda, Rwanda, and Burandi, Africa. Their coat pattern and color varies from dark red to black and from speckled to solid. Watusi cows are well known for their impeccable maternal instincts.
Bison
The American Bison is the largest mammal in North America, with bulls reaching heights of up to 6 feet tall and weighing as much as 2000 pounds. Bison almost reached extinction in the late 1800’s, but careful management by private citizens, tribes, and the Department of the Interior enabled them to become an American conservation success story. Baby bison are oHen called “red dogs,” aHer their red coats that begin to turn brown aHer a few months. Notoriously near-sighted, you will oHen hear them communicate using grunts and bellows. Be careful, they are surprisingly agile and can run at speeds nearing 35 miles per hour.
Elk
The Elk, or Wapiti-a Shawnee word meaning “white rump,” is one of North America’s most iconic and majestic game animals. They are extremely adaptive and are able to thrive in many different environments. Elk are best known for their impressive vocals, from their hair-raising bugles to many different chirps, barks, squeals, and mews that allow them to communicate with their herds. They are very agile animals, able to make an 8-foot vertical jump and run at almost 40 miles per hour. Elk have two top canine teeth called ivories, remnants of saber-like tusks that were once used in combat, and are now considered trophies for those who have harvested them!
Blue Wildebeest
Blue Wildebeest originate in Africa and are known for their robust and muscled appearance. Both males and females are horned and have a characteristic parenthesis shape. In the wild, they migrate over 900 miles each year, and can run as fast as 40 miles per hour. Their prominent shoulder hump and mane can sometimes make shot placement tricky, and they become very aggressive and dangerous when wounded. While they are technically in the antelope family, they have several bovine characteristics, making them a beautiful and unique addition to your trophy room!
Whitetail
Whitetail deer, native to North America, are the smallest of the North American deer family, and as their name suggests, have a strip of white hair on the underside of their tail that raises like a signal flag when they run. Whitetail were considered one of the most important animal resources on the frontier, feeding and clothing Native Americans and pioneers alike. Males grow an impressive set of antlers each year and can weigh up to 300 pounds. The whitetail deer is the most popular big-game animal in Texas and is hunted within a season set by Texas Parks & Wildlife each year.
Barasingha
Barasingha, meaning 12-tined in Hindi, are an Indian deer that are notoriously elusive and are poster children of conservation-at one time, their native population dipped to only 60 known deer. Often called swamp deer, they dwell on both hard and marshy ground in the wild, and have a wooly appearance, with coat colors varying from yellow to brown depending on the season. They are a large animal, standing 44-46 inches at the shoulder and boasting body lengths of almost 6 feet long. Mature males typically have anywhere from 10-22 points, and have yellow antlers when in velvet.
Wild Hog
Domestic pigs were first introduced into North America by Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto in 1539, as they were oHen carried by explorers as a sustainable and low maintenance source of food. Eurasian wild boars were introduced in the early 1900’s for recreational hunting purposes. Now, wild pigs are the most abundant, free-ranging, hooved animal in the United States. Mature males can reach 36 inches at the shoulder and weigh more than 400 pounds. They come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and sizes, and are an exhilarating animal to harvest.
Red Lechwe
The Red Lechwe hails from Africa and is a true water-lover. They are closely related to the Waterbuck, and use their long hooves to efficiently navigate wet and muddy conditions. Red Lechwe are considered medium sized antelope, and have long, thick hair. Their hindquarters sit higher than their shoulders, and, coupled with white patches of hair around their eyes, they have a very unique and distinct look. Remember, they love the water and are strong swimmers, so they oHen dive into deep bodies of water when being pursued. Rams stand 35-39 inches at the shoulder, and usually weigh 150-250 pounds.
Red Deer
Red deer inhabit most of Europe, Asia Minor, Iran, the Caucasus Mountains Region, and areas of western and central Asia. They are the only species of deer living in Africa. They have been introduced to the United States, Canada, Uruguay, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina, amongst others making them one of the most common animals found around the world. Red deer are social animals and live in large herds together. Red deer are known for their thick reddish brown coats and the stags for their striking racks, similar to the Elk. Stags are known to roar at one another in competition for their hinds. This majestic creature will be a beautiful addition to your trophy room and a tasty addition to your menu.