I am curious as to what are your top 5 favorite exotics to hunt are? I ask this because my top five have changed over time for various reasons, like sheep and goats have become one of my favorites because you can be together with family and friends and not have to be
totally silent, talk and joke around to an extent and kids can have an opportunity to hunt without breaking the bank for most people.
Here are mine from ten years ago and from today.

10 years ago
1. Blackbuck
2. Axis
3. Oryx
4. Addax
5. Fallow

2024
1. Sheep, I do not have a favorite just any sheep
2. Sika
3. Goats
4. Fallow
5. Red Stag

1. I like the sheep because they are just fun to hunt with kids and family.
2. I think Sika are just a cool lookin animal
3. I like hunting goats because they are just fun to hunt with kids and family.
4 I really like hunting Fallow because they all have unique antlers and they taste good.
5. Red Stag are like the fallow, they all have unique antlers are fun to hunt.

I've only killed a few axis does when it comes to exotics. I would like to have a good blackbuck on the wall or a big chocolate fallow. I also would kill more axis just for the meat. Can't go wrong with any sheep euro mount.

Top 5, probably would be in this order:

Aoudad- Absolute blast to hunt, will go on a true Aoudad hunt ( not under a feeder in the hill country/south texas a true western style spot and stalk hunt)

Sika- for whatever reason I'm fascinated by those miniature elk. Prefer the Jap sika over the larger Dybowski and Manchurian varieties.

Red Deer- now one of my favorite game animals. Prefer to hunt them outside of Texas, did a hunt in Argentina last year ( where they are also an introduced species, but are the top big game animal there ) and had a blast. Would love to get one in Europe.

Axis- Pretty much a naturalized citizen here Imo. Loads of fun to hunt be it spot and stalk, blind, etc.

Mouflon/Red Sheep- On the right property, they are a blast to hunt and very handsome.

Honorable mention.....the Feral hog. Plenty of skills honed by hunting this highly intelligent creature. A good spot and stalk hunt that ends with a hog on the ground is always a good day.


I listed my favorites but also kept my list to common exotics that are found free ranging in Texas. The Mouflon is probably the only one on the list that would require hunting inside a fence, but several ranches have them in sustainable breeding populations.

What's the one you have to have a permit for, but very few know about it? Sambar? 'Know a guy that got in trouble. He gets in trouble every few years.

Top 5 already harvested
1. Aoudad , although I still want to hunt one in Big Bend
2. Red Stag , huge animal
3. Axis, they are just fun
4. Blackbuck, too small. Won’t hunt again
5. Fallow, beautiful racks and great meat

Barasinga. Need a CITES permit. Same thing with Addax, Pete’ David and a few other species.

No permit required for Addax or Pere David....but CITES permits are required for Barasingha, Eld's Deer, Red Lechwe, and Arabian Oryx.

Out of the 15 exotic species I've successfully hunted in Texas, I think the following were the most fun and/or difficult, in no particular order:

1. Axis
2. Eland
3. Red Sheep
4. Blackbuck
5. Red Lechwe

I've never killed an Aoudad, but I'm confident they would be on the list.

You’re right on the Pere’ David’s.

Per the internet you still need cites to shoot a Addax

1. gemsbock oryx
2, kudu
3. dama gazelle
4. scimitar oryx
5. water deer (have tusk)

For animals that require a cites permit is it that permit is needed to harvest or to pocess the parts (horns,hides,etc) like if you are hunting low fence and an addax walks by can you not shoot it then obtain the permit after harvest. I have never dealt with cites personally so pardon my ignorance.

No, you have to have a CITES prior to harvest per my understanding.

# 1 Stags


#2 Axis


# 3 Rams & Goats





#4 Plains game


#5 Fallow