Axis Deer Weight Change and Reclass

[simple tartan]

Given the fact that Axis Deer now have a model much more representative of their IRL stature, their weight should also be changed. As it currently stands, their weight range results in both males and females being too light, the former much moreso than the latter.

Currently, female axis deer range from 25kg to 42kg while male axis deer range from 30kg to 75kg. These weights, specifically the maxes, are significantly less than the IRL maximums and averages for mature adults and are more reflective of younger immature individuals. This is especially because 30kg to 75kg Axis Deer bucks IRL are not mature animals, instead representing two year old and younger immature deer not representative of the mature tophy bucks we would be hunting.

Per multiple studies of introduced populations, the average weight range for female Axis Deer is 55lbs to 99lbs or 25kg to 45kg, meaning that the weight range is mostly on target. However, certain populations have frequently observed Axis does that are much heavier, ranging from 90lbs to 150lbs or approximately 41kg to 68kg. Meanwhile, bucks overall range from 150lbs to 250lbs or 68kg to 114kg across their introduced and wild range. Finally, the average mature buck overall firmly lands between 98kg and 110kg for a median value of 104kg.

As such, I propose that the weight ranges for male and female Axis deer are modified to reflect the above values of 41kg to 68kg for females and 68kg to 114kg for males as a means of more accurately representing their weights given that they are currently too light. This would allow them to have a more accurate max weight but minimums that are still reflective of younger individuals while still not being so low they would otherwise be interpreted as juvenile or adolescent deer. In addition, this mass change would justify them being reclassed from Class 3 to either Class 4 or Class 5 given that they are intermediate in weight and comparable in stature to Whitetail and Mule Deer.

Links for Sources:

https://catenasafarisargentina.com/species/axis-deer/

https://tsusinvasives.org/home/database/axis-axis

https://web.archive.org/web/20230816101430/http://www.hear.org/AlienSpeciesInHawaii/waringreports/axisdeer.htm

[dapper vigil]

A lot of species need to be reclassed and Axis Deer are one of them

[simple tartan]

They absolutely need it given they're currently too light and too low in class accordingly; hopefully this gets some traction

[runic cypress]

finally a good post! they desperately need it

[teal cargo]

Hog Deer as well. Their weight is right, but if you’re going to make an animal that tough, make them class 4.

[runic cypress]

iirc Raccoons could be doing with a weight update too, but also i could be misremembering or they updated it already

[simple tartan]

i might make a thread for them too; if they're gonna stay class 2 they should reflect the fact theyre similar in size to coyotes and foxes ranging from 5kg to 26kg as adults and averaging around 14kg; their current dime weight is an average adult

they are most frequently in the range from 5 to 12kg

[lucid breach]

But first Pronghorn need to be Class 4 again, was the dumbest idea to change it to 3

[runic cypress]

i think instead of a DLC patch after summer map next year like feeders, they should do a re-weighting and re-classing patch for all the animals they've done dirty, instead of doing em 1 at a time

[simple tartan]

They can done simultaneously; pronghorn were moved to Class 3 under the justification that theyre smaller than the already Class 3 Axis Deer, which themselves should be Class 4 or Class 5.

[unreal aurora]

max weight in game for raccoons is 28 pds, which is realistic, although theres been some reported weighing closer to 50 and even a captive one who grew to 75 pounds.. lol

[simple tartan]

They could do with their max weight being increased to about 18kg but theyre otherwise okay unless we wanna include the far northern examples where trappers have found 50lb raccoons

[unreal aurora]

future great one weight could be around 50lbs maybe 👀

[simple tartan]

chunkinator

[runic cypress]

75 pounds?! what was his diet? steroids and protein powder?

[teal cargo]

The heaviest wild raccoon on record was 28.4 kg (63lbs). They should definitely be at least double the weight they are, and their models should be larger.

[elder raptor]

Sika deer should also be class 3 same with coyotes

[teal cargo]

Sika Deer should be a Class 4 (possibly even class 5 assuming the ones in game are based on Manchurian Sika) as they should weigh up to about 150kg for an exceptionally large stag. Heck, even a regular full sized stag weighs about 110kg. They’re grossly undersized, much like that Axis.

Coyotes I agree with you on though. They need a remodel and a class change.

[elder raptor]

Good point on the sika I was just saying that because they looked pretty small and they insta drop with most class 4 weapons could use a toughness change then or stay as they are currently

[lofty yoke]

I stand by foxes, all of them, should be class 1. They're extremely light and nowhere near the size or strength of a coyote (should be class 3 as well)

[young inlet]

As an New Zealander there is no way your finding a 150kg sika deer here lol. They're noticeably smaller than the fallow around my parts and I wish they'd make them harder to hunt because in real life they're the hardest deer to hunt here, they spook very easily and move silently

[young inlet]

Sika are a smaller deer and they should be harder to hunt imo. A move to Class 3 and a difficulty spike is what they need really. Make them easier to spook

[signal mortar]

The Manchurian sika deer, also known as Dybowski's sika deer (Cervus nippon mantchuricus or Cervus nippon dybowskii), is the largest of the 14 sika deer subspecies. It was first described by Robert Swinhoe in 1864. It is one of the three subspecies found in France, and is huntable because it is not native to the country. Why am I telling you this? Because, as French people, we personally own the largest sika deer species: its body length is 155 cm and its tail measures up to 20 cm. Its height at the shoulder is 75 to 110 cm. Females weigh up to 80 to 90 kg and males up to 110 to 160 kg. The other subspecies visible where I come from are the Japanese version that everyone knows and Cervus nippon pseudaxis, or Vietnamese sika deer, native to Vietnam, which is one of the smallest. So personally, where I come from, we have sika deer weighing 150-160 kilos.

[plucky raven]

Looks like New Zealand sika average between 75-100kg/154-220lbs a bit smaller than the Dakota Whitetail so class 4 seems correct for them in that regard (weight needs a bit of a boost in game tho). New Zealand sika have somewhat become their own thing as they’re a mix of many subspecies. If they ever add the Manchurian sika it should prolly be class 5 or 6.

[simple tartan]

Might make an accompanying thread on this as well