News & Events

Introducing Spotted Safaris - Guided Chital Deer Hunts, Australia

Oct 11, 2026

Twin Elements · News & Events

Introducing Spotted Safaris - Guided Chital Deer Hunts, Australia

Fully guided, all-inclusive chital deer hunts in north Queensland, Australia. Spotted Safaris is run by Ayden Doumtsis of Twin Elements, with hunts based out of Townsville and the Basalt Wall region.

In This Report

The Star Of The Show
The Location - A North Queensland Adventure
Australian Wildlife & Scenery
Meet Your Guide
Testimonials
Seasonality & When To Visit
Trophy Hunt Packages
Meat Hunts
Additional Hunt Information
Book Your Hunt

A Hunt With Spotted Safaris

The Star Of The Show

Chital deer are commonly referred to as the prettiest deer on the planet.

Males and females exhibit golden brown capes with strikingly distinctive white spots.

Males in particular have a dark dorsal stripe running along their back.

White features around the throat, ears and tail are used to communicate with one another and can mean the games up for hunters.

Mature stags are sought after for their long, three tined antlers. It consists of a brow tine, continuing to where an inner tine branches and the outer main beam continues.

Occasionally, chital will have basal snags which are small extra tines between the brown tine and main beam.

Antler length, symmetry, mass and tine development can vary between individuals.

In Australia a mature stag will have antlers up to thirty inches in length and stand up to one meter at shoulder height. In his prime, a chital stag typically weighs around eighty to one hundred kilograms, making them a medium sized deer species.

Introduced to Australia in the early 1800s, chital deer found an unlikely home in the rugged landscape that is north Queensland.

By the 1860s, stockman William Hann had successfully established a population in the region, with just four deer believed to have formed the foundation of what would become thousands.

Native to India and Sri Lanka, chital evolved alongside predators such as tigers.

In Australia, they face little natural predation.

On the ground, dingoes may take the occasional deer.

Whilst from the sky above, wedge-tailed eagles can impact fawns and young deer, particularly when cover is sparse.

With few natural predators and an environment well suited to their survival, chital populations have continued to expand.

Today, hunting plays an important role in managing these populations, with aerial culling also becoming an increasingly common management tool.

Chital Deer - Axis axis

The Location - A North Queensland Adventure

Your adventure begins the moment you arrive in Townsville.

Your guide will meet you at the airport, with the vehicle packed and ready to go — minimising time on the road and maximising time in the field.

Just three hours from Townsville (depending on road conditions), lies the rugged Basalt Wall region of northern Queensland.

Here, we offer access to more than 70,000 acres of remote wilderness, where open country, rugged terrain and thick timber create the perfect setting for a true Australian hunting adventure.

The private property has a rich history, having been worked by cattle graziers for five generations.

Today, it holds strong populations of chital deer, alongside the ever-present possibility of encountering feral pigs, and dingoes.

It is wild, remote and unpredictable — and that's exactly what makes every hunt here an adventure.

Australian Wildlife & Scenery

At Spotted Safaris we have far more than deer on offer.

Along with chital, the property is home to an abundance of Australian native wildlife which makes for spectacular viewing. At times a hunt may feel more like a scenic wildlife tour or bird watching adventure than a chital deer hunt.

Local Wildlife and Scenery

Meet Your Guide

Ayden Doumtsis is the owner and guide at Spotted Safaris.

Growing up in Australia, Ayden was introduced to bowhunting by his father, Nick, alongside his twin brother, James.

Those early experiences sparked a passion that has grown into a lifelong obsession with hunting and the outdoors.

Together with James, Ayden went on to create Twin Elements, an Australian outdoor media brand documenting hunting adventures across Australia and around the world.

Over the years Ayden’s passion for the pursuit has taken him from his home in Australia, overseas to places such as Montana, USA and the Southern Alps of New Zealand.

Targeting a wide range of game, such as red, chital, sambar and fallow deer, feral pigs , scrub bulls, banteng and water buffalo to elk, mule deer and pronghorn.

These experiences have taught him that no two hunts are the same, and that some of the most rewarding moments come from the challenges along the way.

A passion for the pursuit

Everyone hunts for their own reasons. For Ayden, nothing beats close range encounters with completely relaxed, unaware animals.

There is something about getting well within the flight zone of an animal that makes every part of the experience more intense.

From reading the wind and understanding animal behaviour to planning a stalk and making the final approach.

Ayden appreciates hunting in all its forms and enjoys sharing the knowledge, techniques and experiences that come with spending time in the field.

For Ayden, a successful hunt is about the process, more than the animal at the end of it.

It's about learning the country, understanding the animals, enjoying good company and coming home with meat and a story worth telling.

Why hunt with Ayden?

Having bow hunted for most of his life, his experience hunting a wide range of animals in countless different scenarios paired with his expert knowledge of chital deer behaviour allows him to educate clients on all aspects of hunting.

He brings an energetic and hands on approach to guiding, with a strong emphasis on making clients feel involved in the hunt rather than simply being along for the ride creating a memorable adventure.

Whether you're an experienced hunter looking for your next challenge or someone wanting to experience an Australian safari for the first time, Ayden's goal is to give you an authentic hunting experience and help you make the most of every opportunity.

A Hunt with Ayden means early mornings, long days, plenty of glassing , and lots of learning along the way.

And that's exactly what makes hunting worth doing!

Meet Your Guide

Testimonials

"I'll definitely be back!" - Chris

Highly recommended experience with Spotted Safaris!

From the very first inquiry right through to the return trip home, the entire process was incredibly easy and stress free.

Ayden was an exceptional guide. He is highly skilled, extremely patient and incredibly knowledgeable. Just as importantly, he is an easy-going, genuine bloke who is great to spend time with. I learnt a lot from him throughout the hunt, and his willingness to share his knowledge made the experience even more rewarding.

Ayden was excellent at tailoring the experience to my skill level. He took the time to make sure I was confident and getting the most out of the experience.

The quality of the wild chital deer is second to none, absolutely beautiful creatures. I was lucky enough to take two trophy chital stags, a wild dog and a pig on my trip.

I honestly couldn't fault the experience. If you're looking for a professional, knowledgeable and genuinely passionate guide who will go the extra mile to give you an unforgettable hunting experience, I couldn't recommend Spotted Safaris highly enough.

"An Unforgettable Adventure!" - Bree

My dad and I had an unforgettable hunting trip with Ayden. We saw plenty of mature stags throughout the trip, dad and I were both lucky enough to each take our first stag at the magic 30 inch mark, it was an experience I'II never forget.

Ayden was incredibly knowledgeable and professional, I learnt so much from him throughout the hunt. His knowledge of the deer, the country, and hunting in general made the whole experience even more enjoyable.

It was an awesome trip to share with my dad, and having Ayden as our guide made it even more special. I couldn't recommend spotted safaris highly enough and look forward to our next trip with Ayden.

"A Trip Of A Lifetime - 5 Stars!" - Tony

On the first afternoon alone, we observed a large mob of chital with close to fifty deer.

Amazingly, they were within one kilometre of camp!

With multiple mature stags rutting right near the homestead, expectations were high!

Ayden’s knowledge of the country, the deer and overall hunting strategy gave us plenty of close encounters with completely relaxed deer. This allowed us to take our time, assess plenty of mature stags and ultimately choose the right opportunity.

I ended up taking two equally impressive stags.

Both ticked all the boxes, with similar length but completely different styles.

To say I was stoked would be an understatement.

It’s going to be hard to beat this hunt!

From the moment I met Ayden and arrived at Spotted Safaris, I knew I was in good hands.

I’ve already booked another adventure with Spotted Safaris for next year!

Testimonials

Seasonality & When To Visit

Wet Season

Think extremely hot and humid! (Although there is a perk)

Summer hunts coincide with a peak period in chital deer rutting activity.

Expect fighting, calling, preaching, rubbing of trees, the works!

Finding deer is easier due to their tendency to form larger rutting mobs.

However, identifying a mature stag with an intact set of antlers can therefore become the hardest part of the challenge.

The wet season can bring unpredictable tropical weather. With heavy rain and flooding may restrict access or require a hunt to be postponed.

*Travel insurance is strongly recommended when booking during this period.

Wet Season

Dry Season

Think crisp, sunny, winter mornings!

Lows in the single digits (5 degrees) highs in the mid twenties (25 degrees)

The surrounding countryside has dried up considerable allowing more 4×4 access to new sections of the property.

The deer are spread out searching for green feed and water sources.

Mobs are smaller in size due to resource sharing, which can make stalking far easier with less eyes to manage.

Feral pigs are easier to find as well which can add a new dynamic to your hunt.

The dry season brings much more mild, temperate weather for those looking to enjoy a less strenuous, physically demanding hunt.

Dry Season

Trophy Hunt Packages

Experience a fully guided, all inclusive chital deer hunt in the heart of northern Queensland, Australia.

We offer both bowhunting and rifle hunting packages.

Hunt Duration:

1 hunter : 1 guide — 3 days
2 hunters : 1 guide — 4 days

Additional guide to hunter ratios and group hunts can be arranged upon request.

We operate exclusively as spot and stalk / walk n stalk, hunting on foot from first light through to last light.

There are no vehicle based hunts.

No driving around in a buggy or side by side.

Every opportunity is earned in the field.

Our property holds strong numbers of mature chital stags, with representative trophies regularly exceeding 27 inches, and the occasional stag pushing beyond the coveted 30 inch mark.

We do not measure a hunts success in inches.

Rather, by the quality of the overall hunt, close encounters with the animals we pursue and upholding fair chase conditions.

What's Included

1 × trophy (male) chital stag
Guided walk and stalk hunting
Opportunity to encounter feral pigs and dingoes
Airport pickup, transport to property, airport drop-off
Accommodation and meals
Experienced local guide
Trophy preparation (skinning, salting, etc)
Meat Processing

Extra hunting days can also be added for $1,000 AUD per hunter, per day.

Non-Hunters & Guests

Partners, children and non-hunters are welcome to join the experience.

A rate of $500 AUD per person, per day applies.

Guests should be considered carefully when booking, as additional people in the field can impact the success of a walk-and-stalk hunt.

Trophy Hunts

Meat Hunts

1 Hunters : 1 Guide - $4,500 AUD

2 Hunters : 1 Guide - $4,000 AUD per hunter

Our guided meat hunts are designed for hunters of all experience levels.

Whether you're brand new to hunting and picking up a bow or rifle for the first time.

Or have hunted previously and simply looking to to refine your existing skills, hunting a new species in a new destination.

Experience authentic, close quarter chital hunting in North Queensland, under ethical and fair chase hunting practices at the forefront.

Our meat hunts offer a hands on environment to up skill in the field under the tutelage of a guide with decades of experience.

These hunts are about more than the harvest.

The primary goal is simple: the opportunity to responsibly harvest your own wild, free range meat.

The Hunt

2-day guided meat hunt

Up to 2 × chital hinds (females) per hunter
Opportunity to encounter feral pigs and wild dogs
Experienced guide
Airport pickup, transport to property, airport drop-off
Accommodation and meals during the hunt
Walk and stalk hunting
Trophy preparation (skinning, salting, etc)
Meat Processing

Conservation & Sustainable Hunting

Hunting plays an important role in managing chital deer populations across privately managed properties.

By participating in a guided meat hunt, you're contributing to responsible wildlife management while gaining a direct connection to where your food comes from.

The meat harvested becomes the ultimate reward!

Providing a sustainable source of wild protein to enjoy around camp and take home after the hunt.

Through hunting and providing a worth on the chital deer as a resource, we push back on other eradication strategies such as blanket helicopter culling or spotlighting, where the meat is wasted and the animals under utilised.

Meat Hunts

Additional Hunt Information

Meals & Accommodation

Chital Camp

Our accommodation is located alongside the property’s homestead.

Facilities are humble but cosy, with amenities such as electricity, refrigeration, freezers and a cool room.

Located in the heart of chital country, evenings at the homestead often come with the unmistakable sound of stags bellowing in the distance.

After a long day in the field, settle in for a hot cooked meal, a cold non-alcoholic drink and some well-earned downtime.

Individual donga styled (small room with bunk bed + ensuite) accommodation is provided for each person.

Along with all linen, bedding, towels and pillows.

Hunters are welcome to bring their own bedding / pillows if preferred.

After a long day hunting, hot and cold showers and air-conditioned facilities provide a comfortable place to unwind and recharge for the next morning.