(Cervus unicolor)

Were introduced to Australia from India, Ceylon and Malaysia in the 1860's by the Acclimatisation Society. Today Victoria is the stronghold of the Sambar. Populations also exist in New South Wales and the Northern Territory.

A mature male (stag) is a large animal standing 127cm at the shoulder and weighing 226kg. The female (hind) is two thirds the stags size. The coat of the Sambar is uniform brown with orange/cream under-parts, the hair is hollow and coarse. The stags antlers are typically six tined and may reach lengths of over 30 inches, however a representative set of antlers would be in the order of 20 to 24 inches.

Because of their solitary nature, extreme cunning and the terrain that they inhabit, it has been said that the Sambar are one of the most difficult species to take.

There is no well defined rut period, however peak breeding period is August to November. Stags

may cast at any time of the year. Stags are not very vocal in the rut, but "belling" is occasionally heard. Stags are renowned for their wallowing and there have been cases of hinds seen wallowing also. The calves are generally born in the cooler months of the year.

(Axis porcinus)

Hog Deer, (Axis porcinus) were introduced to Australia from India and Ceylon in the 1860's by the Acclimatisation Society. The main release area was Cape Liptrap in Victoria. Hog Deer now occupy most of the Gippsland coastal area in low to moderate concentrations. The coat is a brownish/straw color, and may have white spots in the summer, the underside is white/cream.

A mature male (stag) stands about 70cm at the shoulder and weighs about 50kg, the hind is somewhat smaller weighing only 30kg. Hog Deer are the smallest deer species in Australia. The antlers are typically have six tines and may grow to about 16 inches. A representative trophy would be 9 to 12 inches with six tines.

Hog deer are a herd animal and are found in the coastal tea-tree swamp areas. They prefer to graze at dawn and dusk. Hog deer do not cast their antlers in a regular fashion, however around August to October is most common.

They are not vocal during the rut (March/April), but their is evidence that they will fight with rival stags. The calves are born with a spotted coat.

(Axis axis)

CHITAL DEER (Axis axis) Were introduced to Australia from India in 1863. The Victorian liberation’s failed however the Chital are strong in their Queensland liberation point near Charters Towers. The Chital is considered to be the most beautiful of the deer species. They have a chocolate brown coat with white squarish spots spread thickly over the body. A dark stripe runs down the length of their backs.

A mature male (stag) will stand about 85cm at the shoulder and weigh about 85kg. The female (hind) is about three quarters the size of the stag. The stags antlers are typically six tined, three points each side. A representative trophy would be around the 24 inch mark, they grow to a maximum of 33 inches.

Chital are a herd deer and prefer the warmer inland areas of Australia, inhabiting in a well watered locality were there is plenty of grass and a good canopy of thick cover. Stags may be encountered in different stages of their antler cycle at the one time. In general though the best chance for antlered stags is January through to June.

Stags in the rut fight fiercely with their rivals. Fawns are usually born April/May.

(Cervus timorensis)

RUSA DEER (Cervus timorensis) Were introduced to Australia from Malaysia in 1868. There are a number of Rusa species and they are similar to the Sambar and are able to inter-breed. The rusa is a uniform greyish/brown and has light creamy under-parts.

A mature male (stag) stands 110cm at the shoulder and weighs about 135kg the female (hind) is about two thirds the size of the stag. The stags antlers are typically six tined and the inner tops are generally parallel. A representative set of antlers would be in the 20 to 24 inch class with six tines. However they are known to grow to the 36 inch mark. One noticeable feature is that the stag decorates his antlers with a crown of grass during the rut. Most stags would have cast their antlers during January/February.

The stags roar to attract females but don't seem to fight to the extent of the Red Deer. Rusa stags do use wallows. Calves can appear at any time but peak calving is in March/April.

(Cervus elaphus)

Red Deer Were introduced to Australia from English parks from 1860 until1874. They now occur in Victoria,New South Wales and Queensland. The Red Deer as its name suggests has a reddy brown coat. The calves are spotted at birth.

A mature male (stag) stands about 120cm at the shoulder and weighs around 160kg. A female (hind) will be two thirds the size of the male. A representative set of antlers would be about 25 inches and have eight points. However they can grow as long as 40 inches and have 14 points.

Red deer are a herd animal and seem to prefer mountainous terrain. The rut occurs around April and the stags are quite vocal. They roar to attract receptive females and will fight to protect their harems from rival stags. Both stags and hinds wallow.

Stags will generally cast their antlers in October. Calves are usually born in December.

Of all the deer species in Australia they are the most impressive, a good trophy stag has multiple tines and a majestic shape that emulates royalty.

(Dama dama)

FALLOW DEER (Dama dama)Were introduced to Australia from England in the 1830's by the Acclimatisation Society and various individuals. Fallow are now found in all states with the exception of the Northern Territory. Their strongest foot-holds are Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales.

The Fallow is a pretty deer. A mature male (Buck) stands about 95 cm at the shoulder and weighs about 90kg. The females (does) will be two thirds the size of a buck. There are four different colour variations: red, black, white and menil (meaning spotted). The Bucks antlers are palmated (similar to the moose) a representative trophy will be around the 20 inch mark with 12 or more points.

The Fallow are a herd deer inhabiting semi-open scrubland. They breed during the April/May rut, fawns will be born in December and the bucks cast their antlers in October. In rut the buck has a unmistakable roar almost to the similarities of a grunting pig which makes them an easy target for the hunter.