Forums46
Topics537,952
Posts9,730,997
Members87,051
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
#6434104
09/01/16 12:08 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 52
bowman5000
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 52 |
How different is Axis hunting be whitetail? Is it just as challenging or not?
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6434191
09/01/16 01:25 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,947
Curtis
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,947 |
On my place, whitetails are a lot easier. I think axis overall are more nocturnal than whitetail. Axis seem to be more predictable to go into open fields. For a rifle hunter I don't see a lot of difference. For a bow hunter, I think axis can be harder to get on than whitetail.
Double Arrow Bow Hunting www.doublearrowbowhunting.comBow hunters welcome! Whitetail-Axis-Blackbuck-Fallow-Barasingha-Scimitar Oryx Located in Gonzales County. Visit our Facebook page for current updates!
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6434216
09/01/16 01:40 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 569
nyalubwe
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 569 |
I would give the axis a slight degree of difficulty more than whitetail. Other good points are they are often bigger, taste wayyyy better, are better looking to my eye, and at least for the visiting hunter, cheaper to hunt.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6434247
09/01/16 01:58 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 261
rbw1
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 261 |
I personally like the Axis taste and price and hunt over WT .
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6434269
09/01/16 02:13 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,203
CCBIRDDOGMAN
Bird Herder
|
Bird Herder
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13,203 |
Had Axis for the first time the other day. Delicious.
Haven't had it in years but never spit any out. I am a sucker for happy endings and strapped cowboys.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6434300
09/01/16 02:28 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12,547
chital_shikari
Minor in training
|
Minor in training
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12,547 |
Axis is more challenging than whitetail. On a 65 acre high fence place, they didn't stop long enough for hunters to straighten their guns. I've spent 7 hours hunting axis safari style on 3 ranches in Mountain Home/Hunt. Next day, we shot 2 WT doe in 20 minutes on the first ranch.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6434331
09/01/16 02:48 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,921
Armalite260
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,921 |
I killed two just a few weeks ago, both free range. They taste so good it's worth it regardless the difficulty.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6434743
09/01/16 08:16 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 52
bowman5000
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 52 |
I've never killed an axis and would like to. I had a hunt booked for one but switched it back to whitetail. I'm addicted to hunting whitetail. This year i am limited to not much whitetail hunting. That is why I switched. Now I'm questioning if I should call and switch back to Axis hunting. I know, I'm acting like a wishy washy idiot on this but I just can't make up my mind.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6434748
09/01/16 08:21 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 52
bowman5000
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 52 |
So let me tell you my situation. I have 2500 dollars to spend not counting licensing and gratuity on this hunt. That gives me an opportunity to harvest 2 8 or 9 points up to 129 inches and a doe or 1 whitetail up to 140 inches with a doe or one trophy axis buck. So with that being said, my brain is twisted up like a pretzel and I'm struggling to make a decision. 😂😂😂😂😂😂
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6434755
09/01/16 08:28 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,126
kdkane1971
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,126 |
You can kill a 30+" axis for the money you have allotted. In my opinion it's money better spent.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6434786
09/01/16 08:46 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,833
sparrish8
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,833 |
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6434790
09/01/16 08:50 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,935
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,935 |
I wouldn't spend $2500 to kill 2 120" whitetails, but that's me. For a 140" deer if given the choice I would pick the axis if the trophy quality was there.
If your in a blind, it's all gonna be the same challenge wise
Spot and stalk is the way to go for axis.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6434814
09/01/16 09:03 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 52
bowman5000
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 52 |
I wouldn't spend $2500 to kill 2 120" whitetails, but that's me. For a 140" deer if given the choice I would pick the axis if the trophy quality was there.
If your in a blind, it's all gonna be the same challenge wise
Spot and stalk is the way to go for axis. I'm compound bow hunting
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6434866
09/01/16 09:39 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 978
el_cazador713
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 978 |
I'd select axis for many of the reasons above.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6434914
09/01/16 10:19 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,950
don k
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,950 |
You can usually pattern WT. Axis I can't.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6434934
09/01/16 10:35 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287 |
Isn't it legal to hunt Axis with a spotlight? I would assume that would make it much easier. No Axis where I hunt. If there were I'd never shoot another whitetail.
Last edited by scalebuster; 09/01/16 10:48 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6435334
09/02/16 04:12 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12,547
chital_shikari
Minor in training
|
Minor in training
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12,547 |
Since your trophy hunting, the meat added from a second buck is worth nothing, as the rack is smaller. I'd go axis, because I like axis more.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6436147
09/02/16 10:05 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,476
huntnguide83
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,476 |
If you have the opportunity to take a Trophy 30"+ axis with a bow that is a far bigger feat than a whitetail. Axis have been tougher to hunt over the almost 2 decades I've been outfitting. Like others have mentioned Axis is way better table fare than any whitetail.
__________________________ Texas Elite Outfitters (979) 587-1024
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6436744
09/03/16 01:35 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,935
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,935 |
I wouldn't spend $2500 to kill 2 120" whitetails, but that's me. For a 140" deer if given the choice I would pick the axis if the trophy quality was there.
If your in a blind, it's all gonna be the same challenge wise
Spot and stalk is the way to go for axis. I'm compound bow hunting Pop up or tripod? Bow adds a different element. Personally I think axis are smarter and more wary than a whitetail, plus they are herd animals so you have to deal with avoiding detection by multiple sets of eyes/ears&noses. Without knowing anything else, I would say the axis will probably be more difficult. Do you have to chose the game now? Why not just go hunt and if you see a 140" whitetail shoot it and if you see a trophy axis, shoot that.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6436745
09/03/16 01:35 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,566
TexFlip
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,566 |
At our place you're more likely to shoot a trophy (silver or gold SCI) axis buck than a mature whitetail buck. We have a lot of whitetail and axis but the axis seem to thrive.
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: scalebuster]
#6439213
09/05/16 08:59 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 62
James Biggs
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 62 |
Isn't it legal to hunt Axis with a spotlight? I would assume that would make it much easier. No Axis where I hunt. If there were I'd never shoot another whitetail. Or thermal night hunt Axis?
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: James Biggs]
#6439225
09/05/16 09:09 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,935
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,935 |
Isn't it legal to hunt Axis with a spotlight? I would assume that would make it much easier. No Axis where I hunt. If there were I'd never shoot another whitetail. Or thermal night hunt Axis? Why would you want to? Blinding something with a spotlight or using thermal takes all the sport out of it If your doing control work or are starving and need the meat it's a different story but what fun is it shooting a trophy animal at night?
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: txtrophy85]
#6439765
09/06/16 02:42 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,265
maximus_flavius
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,265 |
[quote=James Biggs]Blinding something with a spotlight or using thermal takes all the sport out of it. If your doing control work or are starving and need the meat it's a different story but what fun is it shooting a trophy animal at night? 100% agree.
|
|
|
Re: Axis Deer hunting vs Whitetail
[Re: bowman5000]
#6439874
09/06/16 03:29 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12,547
chital_shikari
Minor in training
|
Minor in training
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12,547 |
I trophy hunt Jackrabbits at night. It's plenty fun.
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, TreeBass, txcornhusker
|