I am going on my first hunt and am going to go for an axis buck I am a pretty good shot,but would like to know if you guys have any tips for hunting them. I am going to a ranch in Junction. I can't find any anatomy pictures of axis,so I can study it to get the best shot. I know to hit them right behind the shoulder and about 2/3 up.I plan to take the shot from a distance of 100 yards with a whetherby vanguard 7 mag and with leopould mark 4 m3 scope.That sums it up I guess.

shoot them in the shoulder. break them down.

a Mature axis will be considerably bigger than a hill country whitetail and are heavier boned.

there vitals are SLIGHTLY forward than that of a whitetail but a shot in the shoulder or tight behind is a kill shot. if your lung shooting them, aim no higher than halfway up the middle of his body.

as far as bullets go, anything in a 7mm mag should be fine.


Good luck on your hunt

I concur...shoulder shot. Can't run if he ain't got no wheels.

they can skid pretty far on their brisket though.....about 75 yards

Just like TT85 said. Shoot him right in the middle of the shoulder. If it is a doe shoot it in the head. If it flops around shoot it again.

Please do not shoot it up 2/3 of the way! This is what happens.
http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/u...ing_neig#UNREAD

Nice buck!

Do not shoot 2/3 way up. I've had countless clients loose big bucks by taking this shot even after my instruction not to while in the blind. Center shoulder is the "money shot" or a quartering away tight behind the shoulder is optimal. They are tougher animals but I've had luck with .243-.300. Shoot what you are most comfortable with. Good luck on the hunt and be sure to post up pics.

I've guided Axis hunts for over 10 years now. Good advice has already been given. Lower 1/3 shoulder shot is the way to go with a well constructed bullet. The big problem with Axis Deer is that if they do get away from you even dead on their feet they are very good at piling up in thick brush. They can be very hard to find. A 7 Mag is more than enough rifle as long as you shoot it well. Good luck!

7mm with a Nosler Partition will work well !!!

I took a decent sized axis last night with a 7-08... Took out the left tire and bottom half of his heart. It was my first axis and wasn't even thinking about there vitals being in a different spot

thank you for telling me,I would not want to do this!

I changed the gun to the stoner .308 because the accuracy on the whetherby was a bit off. I would have hit the bulls eye with is had it worked,but it went everywhere. with the stoner I hit all very close to the bulls eye and got a couple bulls eye. Plus with the whetherby, I had a muzzlebreak on it and that was pretty loud, I feel like I will not go deaf with the stoner.

going for the big one, plus their heads are smaller than the chest area and move more.

i meant 2/3 down ,but thanks. I will post pics as long as I bag one. If all goes poorly and it gets hit and shoots off,I'm going to be tracking it till the sun goes down,then pull out NVGs. thanks

Be prepared, even with a good shot - axis are nortarious for not bleeding much.

Well,I just hope mine doesn't get far

My wife killed a doe with 6.8 spc 120 grain bullet. Broke the left shoulder and she could not go more than 20 yards. It's all shot placement but I think you should be more than ok with the 7mm Rem. magnum even with a little off hit.

Use a good bullet.....like a Barnes TTSX, Nosler Partion or Accubond, or Hornady GMX!! That way you'll increase your chance at getting an exit wound.