Australian Deer - Hog deer

[Shotgunhemi]

The Hog Deer Axis porcinus

Terminology: Male - Stag

Female – Hind

Young - Calf

Hog deer are the smallest of our deer species down here in Australia. They were first released into the wild, in 1865, in various locations around Victoria. They have found their place around the coastal regions of South and East Gippsland. As far as we know, the establishment of hog deer has not harmed our natural environment.

‘Hoggies’ are a native of Asia but their future outside of Australia remains uncertain. A population of only a few hundred exists in Sri Lanka, whereas in Thailand they are severely endangered.

In order to survive, they need areas of dense cover close to freshwater swamps, river flats, lake margins or marshes, where they obtain most of their food. They are mainly grazing animals, feeding on the various grasses and sedges found around wetlands. It is quite common for them to be seen in small groups in their main feeding spots early in the morning or later during dusk. During winter and also in bad weather, Hog deer are rarely seen, choosing to remain hidden in heavy cover close to feeding areas.

Whoops, I better describe what they look like. A mature hog deer stag will stand about 70 cm at the shoulder, sorry I don’t know what it is in inches. A prime condition stag will weigh between the vicinity of 45 kg to about 55kg, again I’m sorry I don’t know what it is in pounds, you must remember that we are upside down here in Australia and we drive on the wrong side of the road! Anyway, the hinds (females) are smaller, measuring about 60cm at the shoulder and weighing around 30 to 35 kg which would make them quite easy for carrying out after a hunt I imagine.

‘Hoggies’ have a uniform brown colored coat in the winter months, which changes to a reddish-brown tinge during summer, at which time a line of light colored spots or blotches can be seen on each side of the upper back. The older stags become quite grey in the face. The tail is short and brown like the rest of the deer, but underneath it is white and when raised in alarm the white hairs are flared out in a distinctive display. They also stamp their front feet and bark when alarmed.

The antlers are normally six tined (pointed), with a brow and two top tines on each side. It’s not a rarity for extra points to be grown and in some cases one or both antlers may have developed a palmated beam, like a fallow deer’s antlers (I will be putting up a fallow deer post soon). A trophy hog deer stag will have antlers 30 to 40cm long, but most hunters consider any six point stag a trophy.

The biggest problem with hog deer is finding a place to hunt the little buggers. Their current range is very limited, to both private and public land. Access to private property is jealously guarded by the land owners, unless a considerable amount of money is waved under the farmers nose. Public land that can be legally hunted is also extremely limited. The most popular avenue is using a ballot system, or buying into a program of guided hunts. I haven’t hunted ‘hoggies’ myself, and doubt I ever will. I say this because the list for the balloted hunting opportunity is long enough to go around the world three times, and have been told by many that if I put my name on the list, I may be able to hunt them when I’m about 40! I would rather spend my hunts (free of charge) going after the elusive Sambar which I will be posting about in the future.

The minimum legal caliber for hunting hog deer is .243 Winchester with a 100 grain pill.

Feel free to post any experiences you have had (if any) with hog deer.

These pictures were the best I could find. This is the front of the ‘Para Park Co-operative Game reserve Limited’ brochure. These are 3 magnificent hog deer stags.