Primary Rut Axis questions

[be12hunt]

We hunt in the hill country and talking with a friend I just learned there is a primary rut for axis. Im thinking about scheduling some time in the summer to go chase some.
I have a few questions for those with experience.

Should I look at getting a call? If so what?
Any ideas on when would be the best time?
Are there any easy pointers like avoid feeders, find water etc?

[be12hunt]

Anybody? Any advice on axis hunting would be appreciated

[Antlers86]

Every herd is different. You will probably see a variety of hard horned, velvet and bucks that have just shed. May/June is a great time. I have seen a couple threads here recently of calling axis.

When I killed my buck we set up on a feed area where the doe frequently came in. Hearing that buck roar closer and closer sure will get the heart thumping!

[Antlers86]

https://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=727725&highlight=Axis+call

[Antlers86]

https://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=728635&highlight=Axis+call

[Hills of Texas]

Check out the ezy axis deer call. I’ve heard from several people that it works. Haven’t tried it personally. Axis can breed anytime they are in hard antler, but they do have an early summer rutting period.

[Antlers86]

Ezy Axis call. Here is a video from the maker.

https://youtu.be/R4WlbV21eiQ

[Antlers86]

Check out the ezy axis deer call. I’ve heard from several people that it works. Haven’t tried it personally. Axis can breed anytime they are in hard antler, but they do have an early summer rutting period.

Does come into estrous multiple times throughout the year. Bucks can breed even when in velvet.

[Hills of Texas]

That’s good to know. Learned something new.

[Deerguy]

Does come into estrous multiple times throughout the year. Bucks can breed even when in velvet.

Does only enter estrous multiple times if not bred. If breeding is successful, just 1 estrous per year.

When bucks are in velvet, testosterone levels are too low to successfully reproduce. The best indicator for when levels are high enough is when bucks shed their velvet (increase in hormone levels restrict blood flow to the pedicles causing the velvet to dry and fall off). So, bucks breed when hard-horned.

[JB_Archery]

I wouldn’t worry about getting a call... the biggest thing is doing the pre-scouting to find where they like to bed and feed. They will be screaming telling you where there at... get the wind in your face and slowly move there way. Don’t be afraid to take breaks and take your time. High winds are your friend... if there not moving then stay still, move when they move... always be on the look out for does and other axis. If you have water on your property than set-up a tree stand on it. I have found early July to be the peak. Also they move right at daylight until mid-morning and then start moving around 4 or 5 in the evening. Be careful to not bust them out of their bed. Good luck!

[jeffpg]

I wouldn’t worry about getting a call... the biggest thing is doing the pre-scouting to find where they like to bed and feed. They will be screaming telling you where there at... get the wind in your face and slowly move there way. Don’t be afraid to take breaks and take your time. High winds are your friend... if there not moving then stay still, move when they move... always be on the look out for does and other axis. If you have water on your property than set-up a tree stand on it. I have found early July to be the peak. Also they move right at daylight until mid-morning and then start moving around 4 or 5 in the evening. Be careful to not bust them out of their bed. Good luck!

That’s spot on.

[be12hunt]

I’m not sure we have enough activity/land to do a spot and stalk hunt. We are on 200 acres but we don’t see axis activity very often. We have had a few come into some of our bow stands but no shooters yet. Have had a few decent ones on game camera.
We do have a water trough but never had pictures of axis there. There are lots of watering holes around us but none on our land.
I picked up on of the ezyaxis calls to maybe try to locate/draw them in.

[Mr. Whiskers]

Bait the water you have on your property and throw a camera up. Hunt when it’s hot.

[be12hunt]

Bait the water you have on your property and throw a camera up. Hunt when it’s hot.

Bait the water?