Here's an awesome photo of a red stag I captured while conducting a thermal drone game count at a client's property in San Diego, TX. What do y'all think about red deer as compared to other exotics? I've found they're much more rugged than axis at least in South Texas.

I’m curious how accurate your thermal counts are?

I’m guessing this is a high fence place?

I haven’t seen free range Red Deer in that area.

Either way, cool pic, thanks for posting it up!

Nice!

Yes. High fence property where the owners had released I believe 3 stags and a number of hinds

Thanks!

Overall, much much more accurate than any helicopter survey (and cheaper too). I believe on this property we were able to get photos of 80% of the population that the landowner believed was out there. It definitely depends on the plant life on the property. Even with the thermal, super heavy brush can obscure some.

Pretty cool

You'd have to be awful careful about when you take one in S. Texas. I shot one 13 or 14 years ago in either October or November in North Texas. We field dressed them as soon as we could and got them to the processor ASAP but there was still meat loss. Earl

It seems like Drones would be more accurate for a couple of reasons, some as mentioned above by the Pros
Drone is smaller, quite so it does not spook deer from a distance running them in different direction leading to possible double counting or no count, thermal imaging at night probably sees deer bedded down under light/med brush or heavy vegetation that might be missed by the naked eye.


Thats a cool picture, would love to see one of a big cat

Really cool pic for sure!

As far as them being more rugged than Axis especially in S TX, I don't know.
My buddy released 2 bucks and 8 axis does about 10 years ago. You should see the heard he has today. game cam pics of up to 35 animals at a feeder at the same time.
Problem is that they are so smart that last year they had to kill 10 does out of the helicopter. When they hear traffic on the ranch the go into lockdown mode. lmao

Here's one of what we believed was a coyote! And yes, all your reasons for drones being more accurate are right on the money.

I guess it definitely depends on the property in terms of water, predators, etc. I know one rancher who has a little panhandle shape on his place and the axis that he released essentially got herded into that tight area by coyotes or another predator and didn't last long after that. That's great that your buddy was able to get a solid herd though!

Thanks!

How would you say the meat compares to that of white tail?

Milder flavored in general. Backstraps and tenderloins are 3x the size and just as tender. Some cuts (hindquarter primarily) can be significantly tougher. A larger animal needs harder working muscles which results in tougher cuts. We regularly shoot some in September and October and have never had heat issues with meat as long as it is dressed within an hour or two.