Axis quest....the final chapter

[tuthdoc]

The last day of the lease is July 6th. My grandson's BD party is the 5th. So, that last weekend is definately out. I could have waited for this weekend and hunted til Thursday, but I figured I would be alone the whole time. The third weekend was our Junco weekend. I decided to take off the following week. Bobby, Blade and I would fill the feeders on the Junco and I should be on my way to the lease by noon Saturday. Originally, my plan was to do three ranches in 10 days, ending at San Angelo. My hunt at the axis lease ran so long and hard, that I was just too pooped to handle several days of humping protein and corn. The San Angelo deer will just have to wait.

I just got in, so there's pics to be captured and stories to tell. First, I have to wait until my wife clears my garage so I can unpack and get the Ranger in the garage. Later.

[Jaspro]

At least a teaser?

[Heath]

Originally Posted by tuthdoc

........ First, I have to wait until my wife clears my garage so I can unpack and get the Ranger in the garage. Later.

I love this line.

[tuthdoc]

Lol

[cheez]

Doc, I don't know you but through the Green Screen, but I was thinking about you earlier today. These Axis Quest threads are awesome. Can't wait to read more!

Why was I thinking about you? I had an idea for a feeder filler that just might work really well. When I get one built I want you to field test it for me. The idea popped into my head and I thought of you (and me) hauling bags up a ladder or off the tailgate filling feeders.

I drew a sketch and everthing

[tuthdoc]

Great. I'm getting too old for the manual labor stuff. This last week I had my nephew blade to do all the heavy lifting. He's STRONG and I worked his butt off. LOL. Maybe let him kill a cull at the Junco. He earned it.

[tuthdoc]

This was a week that started out kind of iffy. A case of "almosts". Started badly when I went through my complete laundry regimen getting ready for my camo as the finale. I ran several loads of towels, then underwear and stuff in A&H perfume and dye free and dried them with no dryer sheets. Thursday morning, after my camo had run the second cycle with a second soap (can't be too careful with these animals), I got up to put them in the drier with an earth sheet. I opened the drier door and there, before my eyes, was a drier sheet. I asked the wife if she used the drier and she said "The drier belongs to everyone and yes I did". Crud. Too late to start over and I didn't want to put my clothes in the drier with a fresh drier sheet. I bit my tongue and loaded the clothes in a garbage bag. The Junco gets REALLY hot this time of year. They dried in minutes as I spread them out.

Another "almost" was on the way to the axis lease. As I was leaving Uvalde, I put my cruise on about 71 mph and was just casually tooling down the road. An oncoming Highway Patrol pulled over and turned started to turn around. He had to wait for traffic and I didn't see him again until he pulled up behind me and turned on his lights. What was I doing? Inspection sticker current. Liscense current. No warrants out for my arrest. I wasn't speeding, or if I was it wasn't but a mph.

He walked to the window and asked me to follow him to the back of my truck. I asked him what I did and he said we'd discuss it out of traffic. (No traffic). He said I was speeding and would give me a warning. I told him I had my cruise on 70 (acutally 71 and I didn't even hit the brake to take it off cruise when he pulled over to turn because I KNEW he wasn't after me.) He said I was doing 74. NO WAY. I didn't argue because he said it was a warning, but I WAD NOT doing 72, much less 74. So, I almost got a ticket.

You know how they say things run in 3's? Well, the "almosts" do too.

[mesquitecountry]

Keep it coming doc. This has been an awesome summer hunting series!

[Brian H]

surely we don't have to wait 'til morning to hear more

[txtimetravler]

well, you almost ....got us ALL hooked for another Axis Quest!!

[tuthdoc]

I have to capture pics in chronological order. So, since I'm beat (I finally got to the garage and got my stuff unpacked), the story will continue tomorrow, at least until we have to go to Mailman's house and put up a swingset.

However, here's a pic of a buck I REALLY wanted to kill. James said we'll call him One Eyed Jack. His left eye looks like it's out. He's a super axis. He came within 30 yards, but all my shooting holes were filled with other axis and whitetails, and he sauntered off. I didn't get him, but saw him one more time which will be later in the script. LOL For your viewing pleasure, One Eyed Jack. Good spread. Good cottles. Good beams. Good mass. Good brows. Heck of an axis. Almost







You rascal, I know where you live. Next year.

[txtimetravler]

do you need some help with the swing set? Maybe that will get the story on here sooner.

[WCB]

Dang Doc, you have some luck. Some great, some not so good...
What's the word??? Did you get him??? I can't wait till tomorrow!!
We love you stories and pics so keep them coming.

[Ricky T]

I'm seeing spots waiting on the finale.

[KingsX]

Patiences is a virtue ....I guess! lol
Good Luck!

[Redraider28]

doc you have to be the worst tease on this site

[Cajun Blake]

Wake up Doc ..... so did you harvest that one-eyed Marty Feldman looking axis ???



pic from Young Frankenstein - a true classic

cb <*)))>{

[mesquitecountry]

TD,

Man I hope you closed one out! Cant wait for the finale!


Blake,

What was the name of the brain that you took? I dont know abby something? Abby Normal! One of the greatest flicks of all time.

[Gold]

Doc,

WAKE UP!!! We're waiting on the story...



P.S.
We got the photo you sent and replied back, thanks!

[JimN]

Doc - this thread so far may be the ultimate tease...

[bowhuntertex]

Come on Doc, spit it out.......I vote Doc for the the threads of the year.....

[tuthdoc]

I got to the ranch in time to visit, change my worn out Ranger tire (with the help of Mark), get settled, bathe and head out.

My Ranger tire had sprung so many leaks that I couldn't plug them all. The sealer just threw up its hands and gave up. Mailman made a road trip to get me a tire and rim during my short turn around so that I could hunt without using my pump every time I needed to make a trip.

I thought I was going to have to get our my truck manuel to get to my jack, but Mark was a little quicker, or I stalled long enough, that he got his out instead.

My plan for the week was to quit waiting and to kill one. I had planned to kill either Long Beam (the first one I passed and the one I've passed about 10times since), Five Deuce (the one I've passed several times and tried to shoot a couple), or Skid Mark (the one under the feeder in my last thread and the one that I saw when I was in the tree). No fooling around, just take the shot. I had until this Monday to get it done, but I didn't want to come down to the last minute as is my normal way of operating.

I hunted the Spring Blind where Bobby shot his buck and where Long Beam and 5/2 hang out. Next morning I was going to hunt there and then set up my Skid Mark blind. I just KNEW I had that buck pegged and could kill him. He's the one I had my sights one, but I was going to TRY to kill the first one that turned broadside.

I got to the blind, set my gear up in the blind, put my Chaffehay, corn, and the big Antlermax pellets that I had to dump out of the Junco Boss Bucks in my shooting holes, ran the road feeder and settled in for the evening.

It didn't take long. First the whitetails. This is the farthest along that I've seen on this ranch so far.



I didn't get video because he was too close for me to move my tripod and I was afraid to take it from the tripod and hand hold it. Noise. But, Long Beam was there within minutes, in my right side shooting hole. Dang. Did I tell you it was cloudy and lots of thunder? Well, it was. I was torn between shooting him and waiting. What if I shot him and it rained? That would wash out my blood. Dang, but he's giving me a shot under 17 yards and broadside. But what if 5/2 comes in. I probably would rather shoot him. But, dang it's as good a shot as you could want. Yeah, but I've got a week. But, you said you were going to kill the first one of the three and he's first and he'd one of the three. Yeah, but what about Skid Mark. He looks like a giant. But Long Beam is here and he's ready. Yeah, but I can't video out that hole. But, for you it's not all about the video. While kicking all that around in my head, he left.

A buck that Mark would later name Cry Baby came in to my left and started eating. The axis were moving early. Lots of roars.



Then, wouldn't you know it, LB comes back and is in my video shooting hole. Still thundering. Still cloudy. Still the same excuses, and could you ask for a better pose than the last one to shoot?





Well, it looks like LB might be the one. What's he looking at? He suddenly leaves and behind him I see 5/2. OK, now I wait. I WANT 5/2.





They kind of paralleled each other, demonstrating dominance and left. Crud, they were gone.

Little later, LB comes back. I get my camera off the tripod and video him at 17 yards. Boy, he's tempting. Still thundering though and still have the same indecision. Then he leaves.

I may be an idiot.



Still early. Who knows what could happen.

[tuthdoc]

Cry Baby was still feeding.



Then, 5/2 walks right in front of my blind, crossing over to Cry Baby.



Man he looks good.



He posed.



Yeah, but what if it rained? What about Skid Mark? Do I REALLY want to be through the first evening?

Then he turned toward me, fed a bit, and left.



He came back. Fed, turned broadside at 20 yards. Gave me a shot, but it was still thundering. Then he left.

Cry Baby got tired of waiting and bedded.



Then, a little after 6, he came back in. He posed....perfectly at 18 yards.



A little sun popped out to the north and west of me. Rain threat over? What more could I ask for. It was time to play this domino.

[huntinfool]

Yeah, and then what...

[Cull]

I know how the story ends and the suspense is killing me. Great read Doc.

[Stins]

very nice.....waiting for the punch line though

[Chance Love]

Come on already!!!

Steve, give me a call!

[RonaldB]

Man talk about a long tease. Keep it coming.

[kfd82]

You gotta be kidding!!! Whats "the rest of the story"? This is so not cool!

[JimN]

come on already!!!!

[mboltm]

Tuthdoc, you're killin me

[Tuffbroadhead]

Come on DOC!!!!

[low_tec]

Keep on typing, looking good so far.

[Jaspro]

Its like pulling teeth!

[Krivoman]

Someone Call Domino already!

[cheez]

Originally Posted by Jaspro

Its like pulling teeth!

That there is Funny

[Krivoman]

I am going to make a prediction....

[huntinfool]

I'm pretty sure he FINALLY took one...but it would be nice for him to confirm it.

[low_tec]

Originally Posted by Krivoman

I am going to make a prediction....
Attachment 43658

[Full curl]

Whats-up Doc! Great story.

[SCRIBNER]

Come on Doc, I gotta go to work.

Let's see this monster LDP !!!!

[tkuehn5410]

I thought I would surely see pics by now but I am still waiting!!!

[mesquitecountry]

Out with it!

[W-L-F]

Doc out with it cant wait any more

[huntinfool]

OK last post at noon... this is officially a TEASE POST!!!!!!!!!!

[kfd82]

Looking at his avitar pic he appears to be an "experienced" person, maybe someone should call him and remind him that he didnt finish the story.
He may be taking a nap!

[roberts]

Awesome pics and story. Thanks for taking us along, but the suspense is killing us. Waiting for the rest of the story..

[Green Arrow]

Still no update
Looking foward to the rest of the story.

[Tmag]

Doc has left the building!

Gonna be a great finish tomorrow.

[mboltm]

He must be waiting for page 2