After-season Axis

by Judy Jurek

Axis deer are an exotic species in Texas that are fun, exciting, challenging, produce a beautiful hide and mount, and make for delicious dining. Native to India and Sri Lanka, axis were brought to high-fenced Texas ranches in 1932. Saying they loved the Lone Star state is an understatement. They flourished, and continue doing so. Exotics can be hunted year-round, offering a grand experience for axis after whitetail season is over.

Also known as chital or spotted deer, due to reddish coats covered with white spots, axis have a black stripe down their back. Like whitetails, females don’t have antlers. Males may grow impressive antlers normally sporting six points. Occasionally, there may be extra points, or unusual antler formations.

Main beams stretching the tape over 30 inches are considered a good buck. The world record is over 41 inches, with the No. 8 Safari Club International record held by a 37-inch Texas axis.

Today it’s really unknown how many axis deer thrive across the Hill Country and other areas. According to Texas Tech University and the Exotic Wildlife Association, Texas’ axis deer, the most abundant of all exotic ungulates, are increasing in numbers.

Axis deer on high-fenced ranches are estimated at 100,000 animals. Truly loving our state’s climate, terrain, and habitat, free ranging axis numbers are high, possibly more than anyone really knows. They’ve been reported in 92 counties, but the 27-county Edwards Plateau has the highest concentration.

Many Texans now consider axis an invasive species, competing with whitetails for food and territory. While you may see only a few, it’s not unusual to see vast herds. This writer lost count at 78 axis spreading across a pasture near Medina. Driving in downtown Bandera at night, axis can be seen grazing on the courthouse lawn or casually walking the streets.

An interesting axis aspect is that bucks may be in hard antler any time of the year. This relates to fawning throughout the calendar. Based on when it’s born, a buck has hard antlers, thus adding one more lure enticing hunters. Axis are active during the day, which enables better access to hunters.

It can be thrilling to watch and wait for a whitetail, feral hog, turkey or whatever, and suddenly see a big axis buck. You only need a hunting license and landowner permission to put one on the ground. Being exotic, axis are legal yearround, another great aspect of hunting.

What’s the difference between hunting axis and whitetails? Interestingly, there are several factors. Whitetails eagerly come to feeders dispensing corn, protein, cottonseed or whatever. Mesquite beans, acorns, and mistletoe are also good bait.

On the other hand, axis prefer forbs, browse, grasses, and in homeowners’ case, ornamental shrubs and beautiful flowers. If there’s “green” anywhere, you’ll most likely see axis. When their preferences for food are scarce, they may visit feeders, but not as regularly as whitetails. This is one factor making hunting axis a challenge.

Connie Hernandez lives in a “no hunting allowed” Brady Lake subdivision. “I’m not an axis fan,” she said. “You can’t grow pretty plants and shrubs. They eat almost everything. They lay around in yards and driveways and aren’t scared of humans, dogs, and automobiles. To me, they’re a nuisance.”

It’s not unusual to see axis up and about almost any time of the day. They prefer loafing in areas with cover and shade where their spotted hide blends easily with surroundings. They need water like every animal, so hunting near a water source may be key to success.

Another interesting fact: axis are vocal. There’s no way to describe the alarm “bark” they use to signal others. Fawns may squeal trying to locate mom. During mating, males bellow or roar, the sounds likened to elk and moose. If you’ve never heard any of these sounds before, they

This axis doe is healthy and sleek in late July. Note the black stripe down its back. Bucks usually have a more prominent, broader stripe than does.

definitely get your attention.

Josh Haese is the San Angelo Ridgeview Ranch manager. “March and April are usually cool, (and) a great time to hunt. We hunt most often by spot-andstalk,” he said.

“Axis breed year-round but May to July is typically the rut for them, and more hard-antler axis are available in August than any other time. Bucks almost sound like bugling elk. The louder, deeper bellow is likely an older buck. They're fun to hear.

“The biggest difference between whitetail and axis is, if there’s any green around, you likely won’t see an axis visit a feeder. They’d rather graze and forage than dine on supplements, but they do love alfalfa.”

Haese pointed out axis bucks are built like tanks, with tough mass and weighing up to 250 pounds. He recommends using a bigger deer rifle when hunting axis bucks. They offer a great challenge to bowhunters because they’re very wary of surroundings, noise, and smell.

Skylar Watkins with Black Water Guide Service uses three hunting styles: blind, spot-and-stalk, and safari style. “When winter hunting, you have a better chance at bait sites,” Watkins said. “But the summer rut is when bucks bellow loudly and wander. It’s the hunter’s choice to hunt when it may be cold or hot.”

Of course, Texas being Texas, you may have 90-degree days in January or 60-degrees in May, depending where in the state you’re hunting. As the saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather today, wait until tomorrow.”

Taxidermist Paula Farr stated from her point of view, axis’ winter coats are thicker, fluffier with more vivid color than summer coats. “The key to a good mount is cooling the hide quickly after the hunt,” she said.

“Antlers in velvet with pointy tips are not a problem. Hanging velvet adds character to a mount,” Paula added, laughing. “If in velvet with bulbous tips, the antlers can be freeze dried to preserve and save the color. It’s the hunter’s choice.”

In 2019, Hailey Kulcak of Richmond won a youth whitetail contest. The prize: an axis hunt. It finally took place at Stonewall’s Iron Game Ranch in spring 2022. Unusually hot for late April, the guide had a particular buck in mind, but it proved elusive. Hailey, now 14, was advised axis don’t loiter. If she spotted a buck she wanted, she needed to act quickly.

As the hunt ended, Hailey had to use her dad’s .270 instead of her own rifle. She’d never made a shot over 140 yards. Unaware of the hunters, a buck Hailey liked was some distance away, with the sun directly behind it. The glare required a change of scope power for the 175-yard shot.

With video rolling, Hailey fired. The axis ran straight towards the stand before dropping. “I was ecstatic, to say the least,” Hailey’s dad, Scott, said. “She’s a good shot. The buck running to us made great film.” Hailey declined having it scored, but the longest beam measured over 35 inches.

“It was a fun, exciting experience. I was a little worried about shooting so far, but I did it,” Hailey said. “I’m ready to go again!”

An axis hunt is a great hunt, producing a beautiful hide, delicious venison, and if it’s a buck, an interesting mount worthy of many conversations. So, when whitetail season is over, consider an after-season axis for your next hunt. You’ll be glad.

An axis doe, yearling, and fawns rest in thick brush near the Medina River in the heat of the day outside Bandera.