I have been after an Axis for about 3 years now. Missed shot at one last year only makes me want one more. Out where I hunt near Sonora there are a lot of free range axis but they do not run in herds like I have read. Occasionally I will hear an axis stag roar around me but they never show. My question is for those of you who are experienced with hunting axis. Will an axis stag respond to another stag roaring? I have a decent vocal of one I am thinking of trying to play that recording in the stand. I figure it can't hurt because they are being ghostly this year. I was just curious if the sound of a stag roaring would bring others in? BTW. If you have never heard one the sound of a stag roaring, it is a great experience to hear in the wild. Talk about get your blood pumping!

I do know that they will respond to rattling antlers like a WT. They will sneak in rather than rush in. I rattled up 3 different Axis bucks in 2 days on the Kerr WMA in early Dec in 1998. I killed the last buck.

There have been axis called in with cow elk calls like the Hoochie Mama from Primos. With a little practice you can duplicate the roar and doe chirps with a diaphragm elk call

I have the hoochie mama elk call. Haven't figured out how to duplicate the roar though? Have to look that up to see if I can figure it out. I also thought the chirp was an alarm call but no real experience with axis. Thanks for the tip stxranchman. I will give that a shot as well...

The Hoochie will not make the roar, but the mouth elk calls will but takes practice.

We had some discussion on this in the exotics forum back during the summer I think. Will try to find that thread for you.

Start putting out horse/mule feed....axis LOVE it.

I have been researching in the field quite a bit over the last 18month with calls for axis. I've had limited success. They tend to learn very quickly. Bucks/Bulls roaring are the hardest to call. My best success is not with buck roars or antler rattling, but rather with a doe distress call.

Bucks will respond to a distressed doe by rushing to investigate. And I when I say "rush", I mean they will literally come RUNNING to the sound. A few chirps is all it takes. It's sounds contradictory that an distress call will draw them in, but it is what I've had - by far - the best response to. If I get responses at all.

A distress call is not the alarm call, but is similar. It is longer and slightly higher pitch. Almost sounds like a distressed rabbit.

There is often a group of 20-25 axis in the field next to my lease. Spent many hours hanging bh the fence trying calls and watching responses. They will quickly grow disinterested in a call, especially if overdone.

One or two chirps will get their attention and get them to investigate.

Other than responding to a distressed doe (not an alarm call), their response - if any - will be slow and cautious. Several times I've called, watch them raise their head - then SLOWLY walk off, only to have them popup right behind me 30 minutes later.

Does never respond to calls as a rule. But I've had some exceptions.

Younger bucks and spikes are most likely to respond first.



The call that I can the best sounds and variances for alarm, distress, roar, etc is the "I MAKKA DA BULLS CRAZY" elk reed call.

Btw, I can garantee you there are herds roaming around Sonora

I've also recently discovered they like peppermint. Save those old candy canes. Break in pieces and scattered about.

wow. I am glad I posted this question. Great info.

Kmon1 - Thanks for sending me the link. I will check it out.

John - Thanks for the great info. I am always interested to read up on Axis and you discovered some things I had not read yet. I will have to google how to make the distress call. I do have the Imaka Dabull Crazy Call. I have been using it. However I am guessing the sound I am making is more of an alarm call vs. a distress call. I will try and figure out how to make the roar with the Dabull call but sounds like that takes practice. How far up the reed do you place the ring for both the distress and roar?

TCB - thanks for your reply. I did try some different things last year. However on my lease we have cows so as soon as they found it they would not leave the area.

Great info. I have some practicing to do now :-)

They love pepper...they hate cinnamon