Do Axis typically still have their antlers late January/early February? Specifiaclly in West Texas....

I've always heard best time to hunt them was in the summer.

Some bucks have hard antlers in the winter but the majority have hard antlers in the summer. People say it's best in the summer because the odds are a lot higher. On my place I'll have 1-2 hard in the winter and 10+ hard in the summer.

As HCHunter said you can have hard horned bucks anytime during the year but the majority are hard horned in the summer. I like to hunt them in late May or early to mid June. Some bucks will still be in velvet but many will be freshly rubbed out and unbroken. The later the summer goes the more busted up bucks you will see due to the predominant rut starting in early to mid June! Baker

They can be hard antler any time of year. Most are in the summer but you can find places with hard antler in the winter. If it's a high fence ranch you need to just ask them what times the majority of their axis are in hard antler. It can be changed on HF depending on how much and what they bring in and how they manage the herd. On a low fence you need to inquire with the locals where your hunting and just scout your area.