the Hunter's Lane
summer hunter's guide:
axis deer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Native to India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Axis Deer were introduced into the United States in 1932 as a game meat. They were kept on farms or controlled hunting sites for food purposes. Since their introduction, axis deer have escaped captivity and established in Texas, with over 6,000 free ranging animals and 40,000 kept on private hunting ranges. Axis deer can be hunted year-round, providing warm weather hunting opportunities throughout the spring and summer especially.

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Where: Texas, California and Hawaii

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When: Year-round 

 

Preferred Habitat: 

Axis deer feed on grass and sedges in fields near wooded or sheltered areas. They can be found in open areas during warm periods of the day, but are primarily active at dusk or dawn. Since the axis deer prefer warm weather they thrive in the state of Texas. 

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Active Times:

Axis deer can be observed throughout the day, but are typically most active during dawn and dusk hours. 

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Tracking:

Axis deer tend to be more active throughout the day than whitetails, and alternate between bedding and feeding, especially near known bedding locations. Axis deer prefer flatter terrain and are generally more commonly seen grazing in the valleys, orchards and lowlands. Keep that in mind, especially if having a harder time locating deer.

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Position:

Axis deer, like other deer, have relatively poor vision but their vision. Alhough they are relatively short-sighted, they are able to detect even the smallest movements around them.  They also have a very strong sense of smell, regularly check the wind for the tiniest hint of any potential predators in the area. As always, it is crucial to minimize and control your scent as well as being mindful of the wind direction, especially when using the stalking method. When on the move, whenever possible, be sure you're heading into the wind to prevent your scent from giving you away to any deer that may be up ahead, out of sight. If you decide to sit for your hunt, minimizing your movements and utilizing nature cover whenever possible is crucial, particularly when hunting from the ground. Camos that most closely emulate the colors and style of the habitat in which you're hunting is very important in helping you stay undetected, even when ample natural cover is sparse. Remember to position yourself to face your intended shooting zone to ensure the wind is blowing toward you. 

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Recommended Caliber for Whitetail Deer Hunting: 

.270 Winchester​

• Similar knock-down power to the .308 Win, but with slightly less recoil, aiding shot accuracy

• High-velocity, flat-flying wind-resistant round, great for flat open terrain where Axis deer are found

• Excellent power and performance well past 400 yards.

 

Taking Aim:

When taking aim on an Axis deer, you can employ the same strategy as you would with Whitetail deer.  You want to hit the vitals, ideally in the lungs or heart to help facilitate an ethical kill. Ideally, you want the deer to be quartering away from you, clearing the way for your shot to penetrate the vitals most effectively. Aiming for the heart and lungs, you want to places your crosshairs or sight just behind the deer's elbow, into the chest. The red target on the photo below represents the best shot placement to achieve a quick and ethical kill.​

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Recovery:

If the deer has run off, be sure to watch carefully to see where it runs to so you know where to go to attempt your recovery. Mark the time and take note of where the deer was when you shot it and which direction it ran, then wait for at least 45 minutes to an hour before beginning to trail. After incurring a mortal wound, an animal, after a short run, will usually lie down, go into shock and die. If you move in too quickly, the animal's flight instinct will kick in.