Leo Posted April 28, 2007 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 This is my second trip to Texas attempting to get an axis deer. This time I went with Action Outdoors. In total, I've got seven days trying to get an axis deer with a bow under my belt. It had reached submission point for me. I was quite soundly whipped and knew it. It was time to put away the knives and start a gun fight. I borrowed my friend Tony's 257 Weatherby. Even then, I had no illusions, I was still in for quite a challenge. The closest I got to an axis with a bow after 30hrs of blind sitting was 43 yards. It stayed behind heavy cover and never offered an open shot. I ended up getting mine on another ranch Richard has access to. The shot I finally got at a deer was almost 130 yards away. That was as close as I was gonna get. He was in a herd. It's tough to pick a clean shot when you have multiple animals. I've never had to hold a rifle steady for so long trying to get an opportunity. Sitting on my rear end bracing off my knees is something I've practiced before. It is still awfully difficult to pick out the right deer and a clear shot in multiple animals. There are lots of things you have to consider. Clear shot in front and behind is the first. In a herd, obstacles are also moving. In addition, you have to mind not being spotted and blowing your chance. Not so easy. It took a great deal of concentration. God was looking out for me I managed to get the biggest buck they had on that ranch! My deer had just come out of velvet. There were still some tatters of velvet on my bucks antlers. He's got two stickers on the backs of his main beams which are unusual. Not score able stickers but definitely add character to the typical slick and uniform axis antlers. He is a hoss of a deer and weighed 230lbs. His main beams were 31 1/4". Richard said, "You did real good!" I'm elated. Axis deer are tropical deer whose antler loss and growth is cyclical based on their birthday, not the season like whitetails. This means part of the herd is always in rut, part is just sprouting antlers and part is somewhere in between. Axis are the only deer you have a chance to harvest hard horn year round. This variation makes these deer practically impossible to pattern. This lack of patternability and a spread out breeding season is a bane to bowhunters. It must be yet another survival trait these deer have developed to survive living in the land of tigers in their native India. A year long breeding and birthing season gives them an advantage. The meat is outstanding and well worth getting home. Taking the meat back is a huge plus hunting Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted April 28, 2007 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 Leo------------Real nice Axis-----He's a dandy. I'm going to get one of those, thinking of combining it with a Rio turkey hunt. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted April 28, 2007 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 OH MAN !! is that a great looking Axis, and I'm sure was well worth the wait.... It really makes me hungry to get out to Wyoming and bow hunt my favorite animal ... ANTELOPE !! A BIG CONGRATS on a GREAT Axis ... :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2008 Posted April 29, 2007 Report Share Posted April 29, 2007 Awesome looking buck Leo! That is a well deserved trophy that you have worked so hard to earn. Congrats on a successful hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted April 29, 2007 Report Share Posted April 29, 2007 Awesome buck Leo, and an education on Axis deer that I wasn't aware of. That's some pretty cool info on Axis Deer. Congratulations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 Congrats on the nice buck Leo! Way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 Congrats, that is an awesome trophy. And yea, the meat from an Axis is hard to beat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 Congratulations Leo! That is a real nice buck! Can't complain on that one at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 That think looks great!! Way to go. Sounds like those guys are very challenging to shoot, but not for you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beagleboy Posted April 30, 2007 Report Share Posted April 30, 2007 Congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted May 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2007 That think looks great!! Way to go. Sounds like those guys are very challenging to shoot, but not for you!! Sometimes you just get lucky. This time I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Awesome buck! Great story too! Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaskSniper Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 those axis are beautiful animals, it's amazing the creatures the Lord created. congrats Leo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted May 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 Leo------------Real nice Axis-----He's a dandy. I'm going to get one of those, thinking of combining it with a Rio turkey hunt. CB Good luck on your quest for one. They aren't slam dunks. Some places are easier to get one than others. If you research a reputable outfitter, I assure you, you are in for an experience. Axis deer can be extremely challenging. IMO, they aren't as patternable as whitetails and can just as easily go nocturnal under pressure. The opportunity to harvest hard antlered game in the spring is simply awesome. No other antlered animal offers this opportunity that I'm aware of. I feel like I earned this one. I won't argue the point with anyone who feels otherwise. I was there they weren't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 I was there they weren't. Sure wish I was there. Congrats again!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganHunter Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 That is a nice lookin animal.....congrads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 Leo------that's a great kudu & the gemboc is a good one also. 25" on hte impala? I really do like that axis. That will be a pretty mount. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted May 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 Leo------that's a great kudu & the gemboc is a good one also. 25" on hte impala? I really do like that axis. That will be a pretty mount. CB Close on the impala. It was 22 1/2". This makes it fall just barely shy of SCI Gold medal status. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted May 19, 2007 Report Share Posted May 19, 2007 Pretty awesome Leo, pretty awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bonecollector34 Posted May 19, 2007 Report Share Posted May 19, 2007 Congratualtions Leo, that is a fine axis. Success couldn't happen for a nicer person and great friend! Fatty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted May 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2007 Hey hey fat buddy!! Great to see you in here. Hope we'll be hunting together again soon You did quite well in Texas too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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