I got picked for the first hunt (Jan 3 - 5.) I am hoping that the February freeze didn't kill a lot of axis out there. Its a rifle hunt and I believe that you are assigned a blind. Anyone else ever hunted there before?

Congrats on the draw. I hunted Gardner before but it was 20+ years ago, so no help from me.

There is a solid herd of Axis there, however they hang out near the ranger station. We go out there twice a year and that is the only area I have really ever seen them. Now when they shut a portion of the park down for hunting I don't know if they roam into the closed area.

yep, I hunted there in 2018. You draw for the compartments. There is a good population of Axis, but it is definitely hit and miss. I saw 3 deer for only 2-3 seconds and as I waited to see a buck , they walked out of sight in the brush , didn't get a shot off. I hunted the area away from the park. I don't remember what they called it, but I was told it was better than the park.
They take you out early in the back of a pickup truck, so be prepared, it actually rained on us. I'd recommend brining a lunch with you and staying in the blind all day. They do come check on your at lunch and you can go in for lunch and then back out for an afternoon hunt. Great park regardless.

I'm all ears and will wish you well. If you score the guy who runs the big gas station in town also has a cold locker where you can store your critter. Good advice on bringing your lunch with you and stay in the blind all day. We were told DO Not Move the carcass so the Hunt Master can see where the critter was taken. I replaced someone who failed to adhere to that rule. I was out there umm some 20+ years ago and never been back. Be prepared to take a shooting test off a picnic table to prove you can hit at 75 yards with no prep. The Biggest Axis I ever saw anywhere was feeding inside the gate fence out in front of the check in building...JeezLouise that was a bigtime Stud Hoss of an Axis. So they ARE out there for sure.
Ron

Did you hunt right across the river in the property that has the large shelter on it? You take a right out of the park, cross the bridge and it's right there on the right?

yep, that's the area. I was the first blind, right on the highway. I was next to a creek and did have an opportunity. I wish now I had shot the first thing I saw. I'll post some pics of some of the deer that were taken.

I was drawn for the exotic hunt 6 years ago or so. it was really green that year and the axis didnt move much. I think only 1 was killed. They do drive you to and from your assigned blind.

My son got drawn for the youth hunt over New Years. He's excited and hopeful to see some spots!

Will they allow you to put feed out to attract them at Garner SP? What is the best feed to use?

they do allow feed, most folks agree alfalfa is the best.

Hey Mr T. Are you able to post any pictures of the axis taken back in 2018?

We’re at Garner now. Been here since Friday and had a successful hunt.

My son killed a Buttton buck axis and a spike whitetail. His buddy killed an axis doe. One kid shot a 200lb axis buck in full velvet.

They have corn feeders running at all the stands. No real need to bring much. We’ve pit out some chaffhaye and they’ve eaten it but I don’t know if it’s any better than the corn.

The west he change should be good. It was hot until this morning and the wind is 20mph and nothing is moving.

Good luck. The staff here are great.

Congrats. Sounds like y'all are having a great hunt. Hope a big buck shows up for y'all in that last hour.

Sounds like ya'll are having a great time, and enough opportunity's in a totally different experience from mine all those years ago. I have a lot of family stories about Garner SP ...and was where I learned to swim in the river, in the late late '40's and early'50's . BTW check out the General Store/Gas Station on the east side of the street as you go into town from the south ...they have a Cold Storage Locker rental service and were great guys to swap BS Stories with. They also had a Childrens Hunt Prize Contest worth entering .

Mebbe I ought to try and score a spot next year...35 miles one way from Uvalde though is a hike at 4am though, to put up with what I put up with years ago, and still leaves a bad taste, need to find some place closer to sleep. Keep us posted on your Hunt Experience when it's all over.
Ron

Right on

Sounds like ya'll are having a great time, and enough opportunity's in a totally different experience from mine all those years ago. I have a lot of family stories about Garner SP ...and was where I learned to swim in the river, in the late late '40's and early'50's . BTW check out the General Store/Gas Station on the east side of the street as you go into town from the south ...they have a Cold Storage Locker rental service and were great guys to swap BS Stories with. They also had a Childrens Hunt Prize Contest worth entering .

Mebbe I ought to try and score a spot next year...35 miles one way from Uvalde though is a hike at 4am though, to put up with what I put up with years ago, and still leaves a bad taste, need to find some place closer to sleep. Keep us posted on your Hunt Experience when it's all over.
Ron