Probably 2 of what are going to be the largest Axis bucks I have seen around here. But I could not load them and you can't eat antlers. I did not have my camera with me so you will have to take my word on it. And to make matters even worse I shot it with a 223. FYI it weighed 125#. Skinned,legs and head removed 105# Gutted 75#.

I'd offer to help you with those others...

X2 Axis is on my bucket list!

Well done Sir!

Nothing wrong with that, or a 223.

It's just a baby...still in spots. LOL.

Good job sir. Congrats.

Nice One!!!

The hide on ANY axis is a beautiful trophy. Place in San Antonio can tan the hides.

Excellent work!

Well done Don, If you say they are some of the biggest you've seen I'm sure they are giants. Merry Christmas my friend!

Talk about good eating!

Loading problem solved: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/i...system?a=681080

(FYI, there are a million of those things out there that are made. That is just the first one that came up in a google search).

congrats on the meat!

No kidding Roland. There were 4 bucks. This one,another two year old like this one still in velvet and then the other two. They were what looked to be about 3/4 grown. Were very wide and close to or already at 30". And some very big bodied deer. First time I had seen them and probably never will again. But if I do it is going to be a tough call on trying to take one or not. I don't think my freezer would hold all that meat. And Merry Christmas to you and your family Roland. And have a safe and prosperous new year.

'Understand the loading situation Don; discretion is the bettor part of valor.

I'm still learning about UTV's - couldn't you hook a come-a-long to the crossbar of that headache rack and load almost anything you want, or are those roll-cages not built for that kinda strain?

Merry Christmas and good eating.

I would think it is plenty strong. I really don't want to have to process that big a deer. Antlers don't mean that much to me anymore. I just like to eat Axis.

Congrats on the Axis buck. As for passing on bigger ones, that is why I carry my phone and have good enough friends that will drop what they are doing and help me drag/load a monster if I shoot one (and I would do the same for them).

I shot an Axis this season and was glad other lease members were available to help load it into their UTV. No way I could have loaded it by myself onto the back of my 4wheeler, and it was right before dark. I've decided that if I'm by myself at the lease, I won't shoot an Axis in the evening. If it's the morning, then I would have time to dress and quarter it up in the field and haul in pieces.
If you do a search for "UTV deer loader" you will see some that use a winch on the back that pulls the animal into the tilted down bed. No reason you can't do that with a come-along manually. One guy I hunt with has a Hook-a-Rack on the front of his ranger. It's like a front end loader for your UTV.

Well done. I don't need any more antlers so I would have made the same choice.

Very nicely done. Congrats and that deer must not have had it's soul removed by the 223 and still feels pain because only .338" bullets kill deer and nothing less.