Axis Hunting Strategies

[BCoop27]

I made a post about being a new land owner and new to the Hill Country
Just curious, its been a year and still no dead axis bucks, we only want the 28"+. But they have been super skiddish and weary, not really hitting the feeders much. We see them all the time crossing roads, and hear them in the morning, have you tried hunting beddings? Not feeders? Fields? Cotton Seed? Water Holes? Corn the roads? What strategies have worked best you trying to get axis?

[cj_sandman]

Alfalfa

[Walker]

Sweet feed and protein.

[BCoop27]

Any tips as far as habitat solutions? I know water is key, but does the size of the water whole matter? Any other special tips? Clearing Cedars?

[aggieman08]

If you have enough acres, spot and stalk is the way to go.

[Rem40x]

Thermal

[The Cajun]

Saw your other threads. Not sure if your rifle hunting or bowhunting. If your trying to get one of those big ones with the rifle, I'd suggest a spot and stalk.

Most of my axis hunting was done near Sonora. Boots on the ground was the way too go. All my biggest trophies were found laying up in the mature mesquites. The axis love the mesquite where we were. I believe its because it was the right height for them to see any predators whether they're laying down or moving around feeding. Also the grass tends to be better under the mesquites because of the birds fertilizing it as they sit on the limbs.

Middle of the day was some of the best hunting in the mesquites. My strategy was walk 50-100 yards, kneel and glass. I don't tend to spend much time glassing, rather a brief look around and than get back on the move. When I did find them, there would be a few feeding around the group while the others laid up. At least for me its about covering ground. Again this is Sonora area and land was essentially flat.

If your land is like the land I've been to near rocksprings, its likely hilly and so may not work the same. If your land is hilly, may just walk the roads and zig zag back and forth.

Once you find one, most likely there are many more. Be patient and the big one will be in the group somewhere.

Another option may be to get on them when they cross the roads. Its likely they will slow down within a couple hundred yards of the spot. Might want to go after them when you see them next time.

[Johnny44]

Cantaloupe and an EZ Axis Call. If they are truly wild they are like deer with super senses.

[BCoop27]

Saw your other threads. Not sure if your rifle hunting or bowhunting. If your trying to get one of those big ones with the rifle, I'd suggest a spot and stalk.

Most of my axis hunting was done near Sonora. Boots on the ground was the way too go. All my biggest trophies were found laying up in the mature mesquites. The axis love the mesquite where we were. I believe its because it was the right height for them to see any predators whether they're laying down or moving around feeding. Also the grass tends to be better under the mesquites because of the birds fertilizing it as they sit on the limbs.

Middle of the day was some of the best hunting in the mesquites. My strategy was walk 50-100 yards, kneel and glass. I don't tend to spend much time glassing, rather a brief look around and than get back on the move. When I did find them, there would be a few feeding around the group while the others laid up. At least for me its about covering ground. Again this is Sonora area and land was essentially flat.

If your land is like the land I've been to near rocksprings, its likely hilly and so may not work the same. If your land is hilly, may just walk the roads and zig zag back and forth.

Once you find one, most likely there are many more. Be patient and the big one will be in the group somewhere.

Another option may be to get on them when they cross the roads. Its likely they will slow down within a couple hundred yards of the spot. Might want to go after them when you see them next time.

Awesome! yeah we have about 1200 acres of creek bottoms and mesquite flats, they are all over there but its so dang thick I feel like spot and stalk is impossible, I do prefer to bow hunt but alot of my family members are rifle hunters. So it is flat but super thick in mesquite, any creek bottom hunting?

[BCoop27]

Thermal

Just walk through the mesquites with the thermal? Or night hunt em? Super thick