Adjam5 Posted January 27, 2010 Report Share Posted January 27, 2010 Keep in mind. Where I was hunting is not a ranch or a place that hosts these kind of Axis hunts. This was a short distance off of a main drag in a very commercial area of Kerrville, Texas. My good friend Herbie has access to this area to hunt and maintain a feeder. No high fences, no low fences...No fences at all. Right on the Guadalupe river. These animals come and go as they please. I was told by Tink last year that Kerrville has the highest population of free ranging Axis in the USA. I believe him . A few different herds came through. Some with fawns others without. I hunted 4 days, mornings and evenings and passed on about 60 animals or more. The bucks that showed were the bucks that I shot. I could not wait for the big boy. A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush. I was encouraged to shoot smaller bucks(buttons) and a doe or two. But I held out for these hard HORNED:D bucks. The very first morning. There were dark images at the feeder as soon as we got there. A few small ones were milling around waiting on the breakfast bell to ring. When the feeder goes off this is what it is like. 125 yards to the feeder. Sunday morning was the golden day. The bell rang and the smaller critters and does came out first. Then this bad boy stepped out. That is a exit wound you see from a 25-06 Encore. He weighed 158lbs. Very good size I was told by the butcher. Much bigger than most of the whitetails. Having his horns mounted on a state of Texas plaque and the meat shipped up next day when it is frozen. There is even a kart of death in Texas. I use one in NY. Even Whitetails come to the feeder. My friend Herbies trophy Axis. I just want to tell you right now...I would have NO problem shooting one like this. Where I got my license. My second buck on Monday morning. A Unicorn Axis. My friend who was sitting beside me in another blind asked me to shoot this one for his freezer.. This buck tried to hold it...but he couldn't. Made a dash for the creek and was about a step short of it. As a special bonus. When it got light out Monday morning. A Cypress tree I wanna say, was loaded with Rio Turkeys roosted from the night before. They started to fly down while the Axis were at the feeder. 1st thing that came to mind was...with all these turkeys the corn will disappear real fast, and so will the deer. So I better git er done. The unicorn was shot right after the fly down. I didn't see any Toms, but my pal said there were few Jakes in the bunch. Did some sight seeing while my buddy tended to some business in town. A Bio of James Kerr. Which Kerrville is named for. Civil war cannon outside courthouse in town. Everyone was so nice and polite to me. As soon as I spoke, there was no doubt I was a Yankee:yes:. But I was assured the Civil was was over and I was safe:clown:. I have said this before and I will say this again. There is such a tremendous sense of pride that Texans have. The Lone Star and the Stars and Stripes are EVERYWHERE. People there are very proud of their heritage and let you know it every chance they get. Gun friendly, God fearing the most polite bunch of folks you ever want to meet. The Hill country has some of the most beautiful scenery that I have ever saw. So rich in history also. I hope the good Lord blesses me so I can reach retirement and have a slice of that place for my own. Oh Yeah...I also forgot to mention about my lunch with Double A Charlie:). What a great guy! Hey he loves turkey hunting too! We talked about Rios in the future and will talk again about them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted January 27, 2010 Report Share Posted January 27, 2010 good story & pics!!!! congrats again. Another of the Texas attributes that you forgot to mention, but I noticed in your last picture. How many of your Yankee neighbors back home were wearing short sleeve shirts & shorts last week?:yes::yes::yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom2008 Posted January 27, 2010 Report Share Posted January 27, 2010 Congrats on a successful hunt and great pictures to boot! Sounds like a wonderful trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted January 27, 2010 Report Share Posted January 27, 2010 Congrats on a great trip and harvests! Neat photos too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted January 27, 2010 Report Share Posted January 27, 2010 sounds like a great trip!! Congrats on the axis! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairiepredator Posted January 27, 2010 Report Share Posted January 27, 2010 Congrats! That looked like a great hunt! Those are some great pics too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamond Archer 01 Posted January 27, 2010 Report Share Posted January 27, 2010 Congrats That is awesome! Looks like you sure had a great trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted January 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2010 I also forgot to thank Charlie( Double A) for the awesome venison sticks he gave me when we met . Charlie...I left them on the counter when I got home last night and when I woke up. My animal sons devoured them. They left me 2 of 'em. How considerate:D. Thanks for the congrats guys...I am currently suffering post Texas let down:yes:. The ONLY cure is to get back there and shoot something else. I'd like to shoot one of those with my bow next time . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 Well, it sure looks and sounds like you had a great time. Lots of meat there too. Way to go on the successful trip...awesome!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 Glad to see you had a great trip, Anthony! Thanks for sharing the great pictures and account of your hunt. I can understand the post hunt blues. Some things you never want to end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleA Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 Anthony, glad you enjoyed another succesful trip here in the lonestar state. Sorry about your snack stix, I am going to try to get a batch of turkey jerky done soon and will get some your way, it will be some good encentive to come back and get a rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 Good stuff Anthony. Great pics, congrats on the Axis. :2guns: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 All I can say is, Woooooooooow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted February 6, 2010 Report Share Posted February 6, 2010 Great pics and story, Anthony! Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted February 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 Just got my meat yesterday...115lbs of Axis deer. I had some of the chop meat mixed with brisket as suggested by the processor. Everything else...steaks. 2 day shipping was quite expensive:eek::chair:. Looking forward to that sweet tender meat on the grill . I need to go back there and out of this snow/cold :yes:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted February 27, 2010 Report Share Posted February 27, 2010 I don't know how I missed this. Congrats on the awesome hunt!! I am jealous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 1, 2010 Report Share Posted March 1, 2010 Guess I also somehow missed this one. Congratulations again Anthony. That cart of death looks kinda familiar, think we have seen one used around here a time or two. lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted March 4, 2010 Report Share Posted March 4, 2010 i've been gone a while. nice hunt, photos, and a great story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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