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A
magnificent free ranging Hog Deer Stag with antlers exceeding
15 inches. |
ABOUT
HOG DEER
Hog deer are highly prized as a trophy
animal, because, like Samber deer, they are so elusive,
smart and also rare.
Victoria, Australia, is the only place
in the world where free-ranging hog deer can be hunted
legally.
In their native range the hunting of
hog deer is either banned, or, as in the case of Ceylon
(Sri Lanka) this species is extinct. After their
introduction to Victoria in 1860 they were bred in captivity
before being released into the wild in 1865.
Hog deer are restricted to the coastal
swamp and offshore islands in the Lakes & Wilderness
Region and lake regions of south-east Victoria.
Hog deer are the smallest of the
six species of deer in Australia, being similar in size
to domestic sheep. A mature hog deer stag stands
about 70cm at the shoulder and weighs approximately 50kg
while hinds are much smaller, standing about 61cm and weighing
in the vicinity of 30kg.
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ANTLER QUALITY
The antler of a mature hog deer stag is similar in style
to a sambar antler in that it is typically three tined,
comprising a brow tine with a solid main beam terminating
in inner and outer top tines.
Hog deer antlers are much smaller
than antlers of sambar with lengths of 16 inches being
exceptional.
Antler quality of Victoria's free-ranging
Hog deer is very high and antler length of 14 to 15 inches
is common for stags taken on my concessions.
Pictured right: This magnificent
free-ranging Hog Deer Stag with 16 inch antlers was taken
by Reini Strecker in the Lakes & Wilderness Region
of Victoria where Hog Deer Stags with antlers up to 18
inches are taken.
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SUCCESS RATE Success
rate for free-ranging Hog deer is 100 per cent.
| HUNTING
METHODS
Hunting
from treestands is the most effective method with
dusk and dawn being the most effective times although
the middle of the day can also be productive. |
Chris Kinsella
NSW with Shikari Errol Mason
"Saw 11 unalarmed hog deer from hides including
3 stags in 24 hrs. Took this beauty from 150 metres
as he walked unalarmed in tea-trea"
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FIREARMS AND BOWS - MINIMUM LEGAL
REQUIREMENTS
A centrefire rifle, muzzle-loading rifle
or bow may be used.
- Centrefire
rifle - minimum legal calibre is .243 (6.17mm); minimum
legal cartridge length 2" (51mm); minimum legal
projectile weight 85 grains (51 grams). However
any rifle suitable for sambar will also suffice for
hog deer provided it is loaded with a lighter, rapidly
expanding projectile such as 120 or 130gn in .270Win.
and 130 or 150gn in .308 or 30/06.
- Muzzle-loading rifle - minimum legal
calibre .45" (11.45 mm); minimum legal projectile
weight 133 grains (6.82 grams).
CLICK
HERE for information on bow hunting in Victoria
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