The Louisiana native recently shared photos from what he described as an "absolute bucket list" axis deer hunt in Hawaii, proudly posing with the harvested animal and several friends.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEJordan Davis performs at the 53rd CMA Fest in downtown Nashville.(Larry McCormack/Disney via Getty Images)"Axis deer in Hawaii.
Absolute bucket list hunt with some great people," Davis wrote on Instagram.The post quickly drew a mixed reaction from fans.While plenty congratulated the singer on checking off a dream hunt, others called the photo "horrifying," "disappointing" and "unnecessary."Some fans said they didn't mind that Davis hunts but questioned why he felt the need to share the photo publicly.
Others took issue with the hunt itself.The backlash may sound familiar.Just last month, fellow country star Cody Johnson found himself in similar hot water after posting photos from a grizzly bear hunt in Alaska.Johnson eventually defended the hunt as a "conservationist effort" and a "meat-harvesting hunt."Jordan Davis and Cody Johnson attend the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards at The Star in Frisco on May 08, 2025 in Frisco, Texas.
(John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM)Davis has not publicly responded to the criticism.CODY JOHNSON FIRES BACK AT CRITICS, CALLS ALASKA GRIZZLY BEAR HUNT A 'CONSERVATIONIST EFFORT'Context matters here, though, because axis deer are an invasive species in Hawaii.The spotted deer, which are native to India, were introduced to the Hawaiian Islands in the 1860s and eventually spread to Maui, Lanai and Molokai.With no natural predators and the ability to breed year-round, their populations have exploded over the decades.Today, wildlife officials and conservation groups consider axis deer a major ecological problem.
The animals damage agricultural land, consume native vegetation, contribute to soil erosion and compete with livestock for forage.Overpopulation has become such a concern that hunting is widely viewed as ...