I will be going on an Axis hunt in Hye Texas in early Feb. I was wondering how the free range Axis are out there?

Free Range? I am sure there are pockets of axis along the river ways in the area, but I have not heard of much in the area. I drive through areas near Hye quite frequently and I personally haven't seen any regularly until I get south of Lindendale road west of Blanco. Johnson City is a bit north for the herds - but axis are very nomadic, and are occasionally seen all over the state.

To the south of Hye, once you get around Kendalia - then you are in a free range hot area for axis - so I wouldn't be a bit surprised to learn that free range herds have migrated north to the Hye area.

thank you

More than likely a high fence hunt in that area. Not many free ranging axis around there. In fact, there's not too many big ranches in there anymore. Most are a couple hundred acres and smaller. Any bigger than that is the exception and not the rule.

Actually there are a good number of free range axis in the area and back towards Stonewall to Fredericksburg, along the Pedernales River. I know of several places around there, that have trapped and sold axis because of crop/field destruction. It depends on where you are out of Hye, good luck!

We have a place up the road a few miles off the Perdernales river. Axis tend to be like ghost. There are many in the area but do not pattern on movement. We'll go a month when we see them and can go a couple months without. In the last 10 years I can not say I have seen them at the feeders other than a single or double hanging at on the fringes of whitetail in the feeder area. The closer to the river the better. They'er there. Good luck on your hunt.

We are over closer to Albert & we are covered up in Axis, so guess it just depends where you are. Let us know how it goes

They're definitely there.

I hunt over in LukenBach which is not far from there and he is covered up with them

I see them all the time

Up there.

Better half made me go on lbj tour out there and I saw a heard of 30 out in the field

She rolled her eyes when I went to truck to get my swarovski and take a peak at the horns

Early posters have no clue. Recent posters are closer to the mark. My place is west of there, 'tween Luckenbach and Grapetown and there are plenty of axis. Very few high fence operations in the area. They're hard to pattern, but there are plenty there.

Unless there is another Luckenbach or Grapetown, those places are way west of Hye - even west of Stonewall - closer to Fredericksburg. Not exactly close to Hye. Heck, if you call those places close - then Kendalia, Sisterdale, and Boerne are "close". My comments about Hye I will stand behind. I just haven't seen or heard of much, except a few pockets along the river. Now if you expand the area to 20, 30, or 40 mile radius - then you touch on some of the largest concentrations of free ranch axis in the state.

But - as I said - axis roam long distances. So I wouldn't be surprised if a few herds have roamed into the area. An axis can easily roam 20-30 miles in a day or two.

The one's I've killed and eaten must be a complete apparition then. South Grapecreek, no where near the Pedernales. You're outa your league on this one.

Dude, not saying there aren't some there. Heck, we have some in Dallas county along the river within the city limits. A herd of about 20-25. Also seen them up in Okalla, and even a few as far north as Graham. And fat west as San Angelo and up to Blackwell. Also seen a couple around Sabine River bottom.

I'm glad you've killed a couple - but I'll bet my knowledge and experience with axis against yours any day, and twice on Sunday. I've studied and tracked them for quite a while. Hunted them all over the state, and killed more than I can remember. Worked on documenting their calls, behavior, and even making and using calls to bring them in. Know the area being discussed pretty well, as some of my hunting spots are in the area. So I would be respectful before you start hurling comments about being "out of your league". LOL

By the way, here are some of the hides I have from the past 14 months. Still have a few at the tannery.

And BTW, for the folks following this thread who don't know the area - South Grape Creek, Stolle Creek, etc. all come off the river - and are quite a ways from Hye - maybe 20-30 miles via paths Wes towards Fredericksburg. Certainly axis follow the rivers and creek beds. Near Hye, there is only the river - and the only consistent reports I've heard of have been near the river. Sure I bet there are occasional axis show up now and then anywhere in the area - but the OP poster ask about Hye. Not spots 20 to 30 miles west, and 10 miles south.

And theses areas the Creekrunner are referrring are very close or indeed south of Lindendale road - or 1888 as it is on the maps. Which is what I had mentioned in my original post.

Hye to Grapetown, as the crow flies and according to Google Earth, 16.23 miles. But, what could a landowner possibly know? You're the "expert".

Exactly! Not exactly "close" - and by road, 20+ miles (taking the nearest route). Thank you for proving my point. You're a local landowner and you don't know this? SMH And you believe that axis fly?

You know it's funny - you say you are "no where near the Pedernales" (your words, not mine), but yet the the river is only 6 miles away (even less "as the crow flies") - but you think that 16-20 miles is "close", or your little place is "near" enough to Hye to make your comments.

Frederickburg is closer than Grapetown (both by road and crow). So is Blanco. Kendalia is only about 3-4 miles further by road (but almost the same by crow). Sisterdale Road (south of 1888) is also closer than your place. Blanco river is WAY closer. Heck, Sisterdale itself is less than 10 miles further by road (and only a mile or two further by Crow).

So - by your analogy for Grapetown - the hunting and axis in Hye would be the same as Kendalia, Blanco, Fredericksburg, or Sisterdale? Your a landowner - and you don't know the area? SMH

We all appreciate you have a little piece of land, and you have shot an axis before. I sincerely wish you well with that - really. And I have no doubt you believe you are the "expert" just because you have a few acres of dirt.

And I apoligize to everyone - I typical don't after folks like this. I guess I'm just in a foul mood this week and didn't like being insulted. In reality, Creekrunner is a nice guy - and I'm sure he didn't mean his insulting comments, probably just poking fun (maybe he is a bad mood too). I'm just really touchy this week.

BTW, maybe in 2017 one of my new books, "The Axis Deer in Texas - A Definitive Guide" might get published. It covers everything from their original introduction, breeding, behavior, scoring, variants and sub-species, hunting, calling, myths, and current coverage maps, density, etc. Working on photos now.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm an axis nut - crazy for axis!

I don't know chit from shinola about axis behavior. For instance, I had no idea they only travel by roads.

OP asked if they were in the area. While I don't consider Hye "close", I consider it the general area.

They walk across my place and I shoot them. Don't believe I mentioned how many, or the size of my place. Certainly didn't want to imply I knew everything there is to know about them and that I'd killed a ton. That would just make me sound arrogant.

Sounds fun

just to add more fuel to the fire. Albert is pretty dang close to Hye & there are Axis all over Hye Albert Rd & all back in that area.

There are in fact a chit ton of axis in the Hye, luckenbach, grapetown area. Mostly free range, and a couple of landowners have very cheap hunts.

Kind of funny that someone thinks 20 miles is a "long way away".

It be a long way if you be walking

They are there. I hit one with my truck on our way home from Albert after we played a gig there a few weeks ago. On 1623 between Albert and Blanco.

I went and picked up some deer stands from a friend to move onto another property and wound up running into a herd of 50-60 Axis. A few good looking bucks, but their place is low fence.

Janis