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What exactly is a Sika deer , and more importantly, how can you hunt this unique ungulate? Originating from the far east, particularly Japan , the Sika deer is also known as the spotted deer, the Japanese deer, or the Japanese Sika deer. They are technically native to the Eastern part of Asia and Japan, but have also been introduced to other regions of the world, including parts of North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand , and even the Philippines.
For those of us dwelling in North America, there are now suitable hunting populations of Sika deer in Virginia, Maryland, and Texas.
In fact, there are no seasonal restrictions on Sika deer in Texas at this time, meaning you can hunt them year-round. Sika are mainly a forest-dwelling deer and prefer the wooded, leafy areas that have a dense understory. However, they can adapt well to a range of other habitats like the freshwater marshes of the Maryland and Virginia shores.
Though you may have never seen one, the Sika deer is a distinctive, quirky animal that provides those lucky enough to encounter them a one-of-a-kind experience. The Sika, unlike their cousins the red deer, typically does not lose its spots upon reaching maturity. Sika deer may be quite small- to medium-sized, depending on the region where they live and the food sources they have available.
They have a smaller head and shorter legs compared to other more common deer. The does sometimes called hinds generally have two black bumps on their head, but no discernible antlers. Sika deer are a lighter, yellow brown to reddish-brown, and they also have a dark stripe down the center of their backs which is surrounded in the summer by white spots. They usually sport a white rump. During winter, their color is dark brown or dark gray to a grayish black with no spots or very faint ones.
Females and young Sika deer can have a color with a more distinct red or orange tint. Breeding season for Sika deer is in the fall, usually in September and October, as it does with many other cervids. The females begin to come into heat and stags compete to mate with multiple females during the autumn, gathering as many as a dozen females to his territory each year.
Like with whitetails, rutting adult males on the chase will lose up to 30 percent of their fat stores, but also make themselves more susceptible to stalking and hunting. The gestation period for a successfully bred Sika is about 30 weeks, when normally a single fawn is born around May or June.
Sika deer are primarily crepuscular in that they are most active at dawn and again at dusk. They are nocturnal as well, but like many animals can be seen during the daylight hours feeding. Sika stags keep harems of does during the rut, which they vigorously defend with their antlers and hooves. Stags urinate into their scrapes, similar to what whitetail bucks do to mark their territory, leaving a strong musk scent to warn off rivals.
An active group of Sika deer is known as a herd, mob, or gang. One of the most unique things about the Sika is their vocalizations, as they can make 10 distinct noises ranging from soft whistles to strange bleats to high-pitched, almost frightening screams.
Like we said, there are indeed Sika deer hunting opportunities in the southern Texas and coastal areas near the eastern shores of the United States, but they are not very abundant. This resulted in higher bag limits being set so that hunters would be encouraged to harvest and control the Sika deer population.
The season for Sika deer in Maryland starts with archery on September 11 through October 21, early muzzleloader runs from October 22 to October 24, and the general firearms season starts on November 28 and runs through December All of the Maryland regulations for the Sika deer can be seen here. The firearm season starts on November 14 and runs through January 2, Maybe your best opportunity to hunt this animal would come from the Lone Star State where several outfitters are available to provide guided hunts on private land.
Their vocal nature can be an effective advantage, but it takes time to learn how to execute Sika calls the right way. Eating Sika deer is not much different than eating whitetail or elk; it can be prepared in the same ways.
Sika deer are herbivores and like to graze on understory, eating anything from marsh grasses to leafy vegetation. They are even known to eat poison ivy, but crops such as soybeans and other staples are on the menu as well.
These native animals from East Asia have found a home here in the U. They can be hunted, sometimes without restriction, and eaten as well as any venison we ever had, so what are you waiting for? Looking for a little more or even hot lunch for your hunting blind? Follow my webpage , or on Facebook and Twitter. Read the original post. Oct 17th Sika Deer Specifics Originating from the far east, particularly Japan , the Sika deer is also known as the spotted deer, the Japanese deer, or the Japanese Sika deer.
Identifying the Sika Deer The Sika, unlike their cousins the red deer, typically does not lose its spots upon reaching maturity. Mating Season Breeding season for Sika deer is in the fall, usually in September and October, as it does with many other cervids. Sika Deer Behavior Sika deer are primarily crepuscular in that they are most active at dawn and again at dusk. Sika Deer Hunting Like we said, there are indeed Sika deer hunting opportunities in the southern Texas and coastal areas near the eastern shores of the United States, but they are not very abundant.
All dates as of early fall Check links and seasonal dates to be certain. Sika Deer as Wild Game Meat Eating Sika deer is not much different than eating whitetail or elk; it can be prepared in the same ways. The views expressed by the editors, authors or users of this linked article are expressly theirs, and do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of Dallas Safari Club, its employees, members or assigns.
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Sika deer | Irish Deer Commission
Previously found from northern Vietnam in the south to the Russian Far East in the north, it is now uncommon except in Japan, where the species is overabundant. Sika deer are native to Japan, Taiwan and eastern Asia, and were introduced into the Chesapeake Bay watershed in While they reside in the Bay watershed.