Sika deer make for a tough hunt on public lands.
Did you know that there are sika deer populations here in the United States? It's true. This is a tiny deer species originally native to Japan and other parts of Asia. Over the years they have been introduced to many parts of the world. One place where they flourished was Maryland, where they were introduced in the early 1900s.
Today, these deer are found in four counties of the Old Line State. One of the most notable places is Dorchester County where today's video takes place.
Jimmy McKinney and Jon Krauter of the YouTube channel Cevicide find themselves wandering the swamps in search of an elusive stag. This is a tough species to hunt and this video perfectly illustrates the challenges sika deer provide.
While that may have only been a stag, when it comes to sika deer hunting, most hunters take the shots an animal provides. Because they may not get another chance at one if they don't. As you saw from this video, these small deer are like ghosts in the swamp, slinking in slowly and silently, only to once again fade away into the wilderness.
Despite their small size, these little guys have a piercing bugle during the rut that is enough to send a shiver down your spine if you don't realize what it is. Sika deer truly sound like a larger bull elk when they're calling out.
The other challenge in hunting these animals is in trailing. It's difficult to follow the blood trails in the standing water these animals hang out in. Fortunately, Jimmy ended up making a great shot on this young stag. That animal went less than 100 yards before piling up in the swamp.
So, if you're looking for a true public land challenge for an exotic deer species, consider giving the sika a try. Most hunters who try it once end up returning year after year for the adrenaline rush this style of hunting brings.
For more outdoor content from Travis Smola, be sure to follow him on Twitter and check out his Geocaching and Outdoors with Travis YouTube channels.
NEXT: SIG SAUER CROSS RIFLE FOLDS THE GAP BETWEEN TACTICAL, HUNTING PURPOSES
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