Axis Deer Hunting

[jjaimes]

I have an Axis hunt coming up next weekend and would like to know what’s some good tactics on hunting these deer with the way the weather has been lately. I was planning on hunting them over water but with the amount of rain that has been falling I doubt they will be targeting a single water hole. It’s also very green and not as hot as I would expect it to be this time of year. I know some may be rutting so maybe hunting them in well known trails and transition areas is an option. Just looking what other folks may recommend?

[MasterOfNothing]

I heard alfalfa helps bring them in.

[Matt_C]

I'm not great at hunting them but I'm good at eating them!!! :-) The one I killed was over a feeder just like whitetails.

[TAMU84]

Good luck. On my place that has axis they are not hitting the feeders. Everything is green and there is lots of water different places

[kenforu]

Some alfalfa listen for them do some sitting on trails do some slow stalking and walking.

[bklem]

With a spotlight

[Spiderpig1776]

Spotlight is my favorite

[Paycheck]

Just got back from an axis bow hunt. The worst year in the last 7. They were not hitting feeders and little activity at the watering holes. I found a pinch point where they were coming off the side of a hill to the flats to feed at night and set up a ladder stand there. Spread corn out and alfalfa chaffing. First time I have seen axis eat alfalfa. Good luck to you.

[PROD49]

Alfalfa. They aren't hitting feeders very hard right now though with so much new growth. I was going over 4k lbs a month of cottonseed. This time of years it's half of that. In the summer/winter I can have 40+ hit the feeder. Last night I saw 3.

[PondPopper]

Water mid day.

[Big pig]

Some alfalfa listen for them do some sitting on trails do some slow stalking and walking.

This. That bellow/roar can be heard from a long way.
Tough stalking. Herd with a bow, but maybe you can set up in from of a grazing herd

[Rocksprings2017]

Just got back yesterday from our place south of rocksprings it's very green lots of grass and forbs and they did not come to the feeders to eat. We put out alfalfa which they usually hit but it's so green they're not touching it. We saw them just passing through while we where hog hunting. Rut is about to start soon at our place bucks are roaring a lot right now. I would say just find there trails they use and hunt over them. Goodluck

[IkemanTX]

Just got done with an Axis hunt near Junction. Everything is so green down there, axis barely hit the feed. Water sources were almost useless too. Definitely tough hunting right now.

Pretty much everything had freeze damage on antlers as well. Most bucks missing tips, eye guards, and/or cottles.


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[jjaimes]

Just got back yesterday from our place south of rocksprings it's very green lots of grass and forbs and they did not come to the feeders to eat. We put out alfalfa which they usually hit but it's so green they're not touching it. We saw them just passing through while we where hog hunting. Rut is about to start soon at our place bucks are roaring a lot right now. I would say just find there trails they use and hunt over them. Goodluck

There’s a trail in a creek bottom with a big hill on one side and a creek on the backside that leads to an open pasture. Pretty much a trail in between 2 structures. In the past I’ve seen the most axis here that come to drink water or in the winter they travel there to hit the open pasture and look for graze. I’m thinking of just sitting on the trail and hoping to catch some cruise by. A lot of good tips keep them coming!

[Palmetto]

Get out there with them. Spot & Stalk. Play the wind, and stay in the shadows if possible. Move slow, and take your time. Look and glass more than you move. I have glassed bucks mid-day laying in the shade under trees by barely seeing thier antlers move. You have to give them time to show themselves, then you make a stalk. They will be out grazing all day, as they are like cows. The moisture in the ground will help you stay quiet in the rocks. Bow is going to be tough, but is doable. A rifle and shooting sticks is easier, but still a feat to get one while stalking. In my experience, the more wind the better. Good luck, and have fun! Closest thing to hunting elk that I can find.