Herd Information

Originally, the herd of Maverick Creek Ranch was comprised of Axis Deer. Through the years we have added several other species such as Fallow Deer, Blackbuck Antelope, and Red Deer. All of them flourish on our pastures of native Texas grasses.

Native to India, the Axis Deer was introduced into Texas around the year1932. Axis Deer are moderately large deer, with the mature bucks weighing 145 to 200 pounds, and heights ranging from 29 to 39.5 inches. The mature Axis Does are slightly smaller, weighing from 90 to 150 pounds, and stand from 26 to 33 inches. Axis Does usually have single fawns during the months of January through April or October through November but multiple births have been reported. Both male and female animals have reddish-brown coats which are profusely dappled with white spots, a black dorsal stripe running down the length of their backs, and a white bib on their necks. The bucks have darker facial markings and beautiful antlers with a typical structure of three or four points on each side, which are shed annually. These animals are gregarious and are usually found in herds ranging from a few animals to 100 or more.

Fallow Deer are native European deer and were also found in the ancient Persian Empire. Our Fallow Deer are largely from European stock. The bucks have massive palmated antlers, which have a flat surface like a moose and are shed annually. They range from dark spotted (Kings Deer), light spotted (Queens Deer), black (Black Knight) and white (White Knight). The color of the coat does not have any bearing on the size, nor quality of the meat. The mature bucks weigh between 200 and 300 pounds, and are slightly taller than the females. The mature does stand at about thirty-six inches and weigh between 90 to 120 pounds, usually producing a single fawn from late may through June. Fallow Deer have been farmed by European Royalty for over 500 years.

Blackbuck Antelope are native to the plains of India. Herds in Texas were introduced in the 1930’s and 1940’s and are thought to have originated in what is now Pakistan. The Blackbuck is incredibly beautiful, and is one of the few antelope in which the coloration of the male differs from that of the female. The buck is a rich dark brown on the back, sides and outside of the legs, becoming darker with age and dominance. The doe is a lighter fawn color on the head and back. Both the male and female have white on the under parts, inside of their legs, around their eyes and framing the tail. The mature bucks stand 29 to 33 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 75 to 95 pounds. Mature Blackbuck Does are smaller in size and weigh from 70 to 85 pounds. The males have permanent horns, which continue to grow throughout their life. The corkscrew shaped horns are marked with rings and may make 3 to 4 spirals. The females usually have single births, but will produce two fawns a year.

Red Deer, native to Britain, are the largest mammals in Britain and are found mostly in Scotland, and the Lake District. Red Deer are closely related to elk, with a coat of dark red to dark brown with a lighter color of cream on the underbelly, inner thighs and rump. The mature Red Deer stag, weighs between 200 and 420 pounds, with a height at the shoulder between 41 and 54 inches. The Stag has large branched antlers, which they shed and re-grow each year. The mature hind (female) can weigh between 125 and 250 pounds and can produce a single calf in spring.