I posted this just a bit ago in the Exotic section, but figured I'd post here as well..

Taking my dad out to Double FF ranch outside Sonora tomorrow for a Free Range Axis hunt for his 60th birthday.

I know obviously their was a good number of die-off from the Freeze, but curious to know if anyone has seen any change/increase in numbers since?

Not that it really matters since we are already committed, but would like to go into it with realistic expectations.

Thanks in advance!

I'm no expert, but I think it has a lot to do with how open the particular property is that you're going to. I don't think the axis on my place between Junction and Menard were hit too awfully hard, but I have PLENTY of "thermal cover" with the cedar.

We are between Rocksprings and Sonora. Plenty on the cameras still.
I also think the amount of cover helped.
Also still see a ton on the drive out.

Most survived the freeze however, most have damage to antlers. Most of the ones I see around Menard have black, dried up looking antlers one half to one-third. I expect them to shed off the damaged antlers and be just fine next year.
Adios,
Gary

The freeze did that to the antlers??

Sold a ranch several years back about 30 miles south of Sonora.

For the past month they have been whacking and stacking the axis. No antler damage either.

Yes. I have a buddy who outfits for axis SE of Sonora and they have antler damage on many of his bucks there as well.
Adios,
Gary

I think that all of my mature bucks west of Menard have damage from the freeze.
Adios,
Gary

I hunt in Junction and we haven't seen a drop off in the Axis. No antler damage either. But we have very good cover.

Thanks for the info gentlemen, will definitely make that 8 hr drive a bit more bearable. Will post pics if we're successful!

It is always colder west of Menard along the San Saba River and other drainages than other areas around here. This is not just my opinion but also of Roger Edmiston with Bagley Pecans, San Saba. Roger always said that the pecan trees around Menard and especially west of town would freeze and loose blooms when none of his other trees would. 5-10 degrees can make a huge difference especially over several hours. This area is not far from the ranch that lost 80% of their axis herd and most all of the blackbuck.
Adios,
Gary

The bucks I've seen on our lease that were growing in velvet at the time of the big freeze got pretty jacked up from it.
I'm guessing it was so cold the blood circulation in them froze (frost bite so to speak). Some got black at the tips and actually looked like you to a chop saw and cut them off square. Some lost them completely.

Yes Sir, if the bucks were behind and not in velvet or just short stubs, there was little to no damage. The further along in the growth cycle they were when the freeze occurred the greater the damage. I asked a buddy who hunts a big ranch SE of Sonora what percent of his bucks had damage and he said at least 75%.
A friend has a ranch west of Garvin Store and they had damage there as well. If you don't have damaged antlers in your axis, consider yourself lucky.
Adios,
Gary

Well he got it done. Last day, last 30 minutes.

Hunted hard and put in a lot of miles. Tough hunting but the weather was phenomenal (especially for down there in June).

Saw plenty of animals, but at least half the bucks had freezer burn damage and they were really spread out.

Finally spotted him in a cluster of oaks with a few doe. The does keyed in on us pretty quick, but he finally presented a shot as they started to move out.

We had a hell of a time, and they run a top notch outfit. https://ffhuntingranch.com/

Congrats!

Congratulations to both of you! I bet is was an awesome hunt!

👍👍

Congratulations! Sorry to hear that you saw so many bucks with freeze damage to their horns. I know it is bad here but after hearing other reports on here, I was beginning to think that it was not as bad as I thought. I guess the good thing is that most of the freeze damaged bucks drew a pass for this year and will give them another year to grow.
Adios,
Gary

That’s a great point

Very nice gonna be good eating!

Congratulations!