Axis frustration-Help

[8pointer]

Don't use the skunk scent

[DeepDownSouth]

Alfalfa .....

[220swift]

Something was different with the blind. You don't say or I didn't see what kind of blind it is. Tripod? Popup?

Something he was used to seeing was not the way it was supposed to be. If a popup maybe the windows hadn't been painted black and when opened he saw a big black hole.

Anyway I would think something wasn't the same as it usually is.

It's a wooden platform. Only thing different was there was someone sitting in it

[Grant2]

Do you avoid a skunk if you smell it? Never understood why people put out skunk sent they put out that smell to protect its self so why would a deer go near it. If I where you I would stop the skunk thing and go buy a bail of alpha and spread it all over your hunting area. Do this for a few days you pull in a lot of axis that way.

[rocoso]

Alfalfa

[220swift]

Do you avoid a skunk if you smell it? Never understood why people put out skunk sent they put out that smell to protect its self so why would a deer go near it. If I where you I would stop the skunk thing and go buy a bail of alpha and spread it all over your hunting area. Do this for a few days you pull in a lot of axis that way.

It has worked extremely well for me in the past.

[150class]

Keep trying till it works out if y'all can go back.


They get big for a reason and it's hunting not shooting! He'll trip up sooner or later!

Good luck

[jeffpg]

I bowhunt axis year round and am fortunate enough to watch them almost every day. They are very sensitive to any thing that is different. We had a mature deer coming in every feed with no Hunter in the stand. The first hunt with someone in the Krivoman blind resulted with the buck hanging up and spooking. The Hunter threw a couple apples out by the feeder and that was all it took. Removed the apples and the buck came straight in on the next sit. We feed alfalfa hay so I use that to cover my scent in the blind. The better sealed your blind is the better chance you have. I swear sometimes they can just feel my presence. More than likely your desire to cover your scent is what tipped him off. I have put out golden estrus buck lure and the axis won't get anywhere near it. I am hunting them with a recurve and routinely get them inside 15 yards. I would try it without skunk scent and make sure nothing about the setup is different. Good luck. Sometimes they are the smartest deer you will ever hunt and sometimes they walk right in. Stay after him!

I have spent the last 4 weeks hunting and studying them and this is great information, in my opinion.

Plus the fact that sometimes, they just appear to have that sixth sense finely tuned and can simply tell when they are being hunted.

They have become one of my very favorite prey!

[WTJim]

Don't deviate from the norm. Axis are very sensitive to environmental changes. most times they are the most savvy deer you can hunt but other times it seems they've been dazed with the stupid stick.

[RLUM]

I have seen them walk out of the brush and look right at the blind and turn around and go right back in if a window is open on the blind.

[Texastaxi]

If the feeder is working, and he's coming to that, don't change ANYTHING.
Don't put out alfalfa. Don't hand corn. Don't use any cover scents.
Just get in the blind as quietly as possible and sit still.
Anything out of the ordinary will put him on alert.

[Big Todd]

Skunks usually don't leave scent unless they are scared or something is after them, I never use the skunk scent. 1) I don't like the smell and 2) from my experience skunk scent usually seemed to put the deer I have hunted on edge.

^^^ THIS^^^

the only time skunks spray is to defend themselves or warn of a danger. They don't just walk around spraying. I've used it before and the deer were freaked out by it. Axis and black buck really don't like it.

[Mertzon Man]

Don't use the skunk scent

X2

[220swift]

Thanks for all the good advice.

I appreciate it.

[Shane]

I'd run off if somebody poured skunk scent around my favorite dinner table too.