By Lili Keys, Lone Star Outdoor News
“I think we need to get some axis on the ranch,” I declared to my dad.
“I think you are right, Lili,” he replied.
My first taste of axis came while hunting with axis aficionado and Ezy-Axis deer call creator Eric Harrison. We hunted doe at Joshua Creek Ranch and my heart was pumping fast when Harrison used his call and 20 spotted deer came running.
A few months later, my sister and I were invited to hunt with Waylon Owens of Owens Outdoor Sales on his property also near Boerne. We hunted for two days and couldn’t get it done. The illusive axis stayed hidden in the trees.
With mixed success, I was ready to take my first axis buck. You know what they say, “Third time’s a charm”
This hunt was located near Harper with Republic Outdoors. My dad had purchased the hunt in a silent auction at the Exotic Wildlife Association and invited me along as the hunter.
We made it down south before a major heat wave hit, giving us perfect cooler temperatures in the morning and warming up throughout the afternoon.
Republic Outdoors operates hunts on three properties. The one we hunted had slight rolling hills and had been well manicured, while still preserving some of the mature oak and cedar trees. Round cedar blinds were a unique feature of the ranch as well as the German-style cottage main and bunk house.
Within 30 minutes on the first game ride, we spotted a bachelor group bedded down in the shade. They let us observe them for a while before becoming aware of the Jeep. One in the group caught our guide, Cade West’s, eye. The buck was still in velvet but had thick bases and good caudal tines. We decided to keep exploring since it was only the first day.
We explored a different pasture later that afternoon. A few elk and large herds of blackbuck were seen as we watched axis bucks slip in and out of view from inside the cedars.
In late afternoon, we posted up in the shade near one of the feeders. A cow elk and a nice looking one-horned axis made their way out of the trees to feed. That one-horned axis knew he was safe and flaunted himself in front of us well within a 100 yards.
Before sunset, we took a drive around the property. We found two smaller bucks but I decided to pass and we ended the night with a few drinks in the outdoor cooking shed.
The next morning, we set out for another game ride. One-horn was out tormenting us once again. We spotted a few axis in the brush, but I couldn’t get that velvet buck from the day before off my mind.
After lunch, we decided to try to find that velvet buck from the day before. It wasn’t long before I spotted him standing along on the treeline about 200 yards away. We made a move and got within 75 yards. I had a small shooting window between a cactus and a tree. With no hesitation, I made the shot.
He ran a couple of yards before I watched him tumble over.
I know axis are strong, resilient animals. I knew I had him, but I didn’t want to celebrate or get too excited until I was standing over him thanking him for the harvest.
As I walked up to the buck, my excitement grew. A beautiful first buck. He measured 29 ½ inches and was nearly a day away from rubbing off the velvet. There were small holes where the velvet was starting to peel.
Gosh, if my whole freezer could be filled with axis meat, I wouldn’t need anything else. My husband, Carson, and I have been enjoying the front shoulder bathed in butter, garlic and rosemary seared like a steak. We are worried there won’t be enough meat to share based on how fast we are going through it.
So, to answer my dad’s question, yes, we should get some axis on the ranch. The meat is incredible and they are a fun and challenging species to hunt.
