Axis deer originated in the subtropical region of the Indian subcontinent, from the foothills of the Himalayas to the low regions of the sundaban delta in Bangladesh. Their Hindi name is "chital", and they are sometimes referred to as spotted deer. Being one of the largest natural prey species of the Bengal tiger and Asian leopard, they are by nature very wary and skittish. They were introduced into Texas in the 1930's, and have flourished in both free range, and fenced environments. They can no longer be hunted in their native range, but free range herds can also be found in Hawaii, Florida, Argentina, and Australia, with the largest trophies coming from Texas and Florida. 

Axis are arguably the most beautiful deer in the world, retaining the reddish coat and spots of fawns throughout their life. This coat is accentuated by a pure white throat patch, and leggings, and the males typically carry antlers with three points per side - the brow, the inner (also called "cottle tine"), and a sweeping main beam. Non-typical points are rare in axis, but there are some non-typical genes occasionally seen on the ranch. Indicators of a trophy male are long brow tines approaching or exceeding a foot in length, cottle tines of 6-10 inches, and main beams of 30 inches plus. Spreads in excess of 30 inches make an impressive trophy for the wall, but can easily be surpassed in score by long tines and main beams. 

Being a tropical deer, axis do not follow a breeding cycle as well defined as whitetails. Most bucks are on a cycle that puts them in hard horn and rutting from May thru late August with a peak in June-July, but at any given time, animals can be found in various stages of horn development and breeding activity throughout the year. 

Axis typically run in herds, with the largest herds congregating in summer months. During the winter, they generally break up into bachelor groups, and herds of females and young males, but this is not a hard rule. The call of an axis buck is unforgettable, somewhat erie, and best described as a howl. Females call with a high pitched bark when alarmed. . . this is not a sound you want to hear as a hunter.