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Judging/scoring Axis bucks
#7678001
12/02/19 09:04 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 72
Jeff in TX
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My buddy and I are signed up for a South Texas Axis buck hunt this spring. As far as I know from reading and watching videos most folks say a 30" or better main beam is great buck. However, I never read or see folks give the actual official score of the Axis buck they've harvested, just the main beam measurement. I'm assuming the overall measurement is more of a mute point, it's all about main beam length. Is this fairly accurate?
On the flip side anyone know what a good to great overall score would be?
Thanks
Jeff
Distance is not an issue, but the wind can make it interesting!
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Re: Judging/scoring Axis bucks
[Re: Jeff in TX]
#7678838
12/03/19 06:58 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,933
TexFlip
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SCI Gold with a rifle is 159 5/8" , Silver is 148 3/8" and Bronze is 127". Most 30" axis will be at least Bronze if not Silver. For a 30" buck to go SCI Gold it needs to be heavy and wide and have good brows and caudals. A short and wide buck with good 2nds and 3rds can easily outscore a 30" buck that is weak everywhere else. I suggest looking at a LOT of pictures of bucks of known length and having them saved on your phone for easy reference while hunting. To a first time hunter, a 25" axis can look HUGE.
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Re: Judging/scoring Axis bucks
[Re: Jeff in TX]
#7678846
12/03/19 07:06 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,933
TexFlip
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This is a 36" buck. Notice how far swept back his main beams go. The red dot is my preferred point of aim on axis. ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2019/12/full-38597-210099-screenshot_2017_08_08_19_36_50_1.png) This is a 31" buck. ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2019/12/full-38597-210100-full_38597_48852_20151111_193917_1.jpg) This one was 30". ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2019/12/full-38597-210102-20180823_194617_1.jpg)
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Re: Judging/scoring Axis bucks
[Re: TexFlip]
#7678855
12/03/19 07:14 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 558
Adchunts
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Tracker
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To a first time hunter, a 25" axis can look HUGE. That is the truth! I've had my eyes on a lot of axis bucks, and I still do not feel comfortable sizing one in the field. They are just so freaking huge compared to the whitetails that my bird brain cannot compute...
Last edited by Adchunts; 12/03/19 07:14 PM. Reason: spelling
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Re: Judging/scoring Axis bucks
[Re: Jeff in TX]
#7678877
12/03/19 07:50 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,737
Creekrunner
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And when they turn and run, they all look huge from the back; 'guess it's that elk effect. Judge from the front on only.
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Judging/scoring Axis bucks
[Re: TexFlip]
#7678949
12/03/19 09:25 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 72
Jeff in TX
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SCI Gold with a rifle is 159 5/8" , Silver is 148 3/8" and Bronze is 127". Most 30" axis will be at least Bronze if not Silver. For a 30" buck to go SCI Gold it needs to be heavy and wide and have good brows and caudals. A short and wide buck with good 2nds and 3rds can easily outscore a 30" buck that is weak everywhere else. I suggest looking at a LOT of pictures of bucks of known length and having them saved on your phone for easy reference while hunting. To a first time hunter, a 25" axis can look HUGE.
Thank you, that's exactly what I was looking for. We're doing our homework looking at pics and videos. Gonna tell the guide what we're looking for and put our interests in his hands. Should be a fun time.
Distance is not an issue, but the wind can make it interesting!
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Re: Judging/scoring Axis bucks
[Re: Jeff in TX]
#7679226
12/04/19 02:44 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 601
JCO
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Go with the guide’s recommendation. You get three in a bunch that are decent and they all look huge on the hoof. Hard to judge the best of the best if you don’t see them all the time.
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Re: Judging/scoring Axis bucks
[Re: JCO]
#7679416
12/04/19 01:24 PM
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 161
fishdfly
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Woodsman
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How many actually have them measured and submitted for the record book?
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Re: Judging/scoring Axis bucks
[Re: Jeff in TX]
#7682466
12/07/19 03:55 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 63
spanish13
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So what would this axis score? ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2019/12/full-44075-210577-ef815468_4763_4aa4_872a_304fd4dd86c2.jpeg)
Last edited by spanish13; 12/07/19 03:56 PM.
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Re: Judging/scoring Axis bucks
[Re: Jeff in TX]
#7682859
12/07/19 11:48 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 545
Shaner
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Re: Judging/scoring Axis bucks
[Re: Shaner]
#7683152
12/08/19 04:32 AM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 63
spanish13
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Re: Judging/scoring Axis bucks
[Re: Jeff in TX]
#7683253
12/08/19 12:58 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 12,235
don k
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He has great length on his main beam but he is lacking on brow and caudel tines which will not help his score.
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