Axis Deer Skin - Chital Deer Hides
Axis deer is undoubtedly the species of the cervidae family with the most exquisite-looking hide. The spotted coat, which sometimes is confused with that of a baby whitetail deer or “Bambi", is actually a permanent feature of the axis deer. Originally from India, but now widespread in Texas, Florida, Hawaii, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand, the axis deer has a pelt that is very coveted and we are proud to be the strongest reseller of those skins in the USA.
Although the axis deer is originally from India, where it is also knows as chital deer, it is not commonly exported from or into its country of origin. Lots of Indian customers approach us asking for it but usually we tell them we cannot ship to India due to possible bureaucracy in importing these skins into India. There are no issues exporting the axis deer hides into any other major countries in North America, Europe, Asia or Australia.
Our skins are separated in several grades. Due to the fact the axis deer is a wild animal, many times the skin will contain small blemishes or holes. So the better the quality of the hide the fewer imperfections it will have but also the higher its price.
A great majority of our customers who source axis deer hides use it for upholstery. Beautiful chairs can be made with a top grade axis hides. Either the back of the chair, the cushion or both become exquisite when upholstered with a hair-on axis deer hide.
We also supply many yoga practitioners who meditate by sitting on an axis deer skin.
Often our clients ask if they were ethically obtained which our answer is a big YES. No cow or deer is killed for its hide. It is simply not economically feasible. Just tanning a deer skin costs around $70.00 to $100.00 so if you look at the sale price of these skins you can easily conclude they could not be taken for the sole purpose of using the skin. Animal skins such as cowhides, bison skins and axis deer hides are always a byproduct of the meat industry and would be otherwise wasted. So when you purchase a cowhide or deer skin know you are helping utilize a part of the animal which would otherwise be destroyed.
In Texas, Florida, Hawaii and Argentina, the axis deer is so abundant that population control is needed as it has become an invasive species which competes with native wildlife. The axis deer is a hardy creature which can survive intense draught but also when vegetation is plentiful it can reproduce twice a year. That makes its numbers grow exponentially when compared to other deer species. In India, hunting the axis deer is forbidden although they also exist in Pakistan where sport hunting is allowed. In the USA, Australia, Argentina and New Zealand, hunting the axis deer is 100% legal.