Print Page | Close Window

Trophy Axis Hunt (Picture Heavy)

Printed From: OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc.
Category: Hunting, Fishing & General Outdoors
Forum Name: General Hunting
Forum Description: Techniques, tips, stories, general discussion, etc.
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=36551
Printed Date: March/28/2024 at 06:24
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Trophy Axis Hunt (Picture Heavy)
Posted By: Skylar McMahon
Subject: Trophy Axis Hunt (Picture Heavy)
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 12:33

I had the amazing opportunity to go on an Axis hunt in the Texas Hill Country at the beginning of April.  This has been a highly anticipated trip for me, that despite my quite nature, I was imploding to get out and hunt such a majestic animal.

Prior to the hunt, I had to do some fine tuning to the rifle. The rifle is a Browning A-Bolt .300 Winchester Magnum with the Boss muzzle brake system that I didn’t quite understand until I spoke with Ted (Rifledude). After learning how the system works, I quickly discovered exactly what he was talking about.

The trip was fantastic overall. Friday morning CF II and I pack up, fuel up, grab some necessary road worthy essentials and head out so we can make it in time for the Friday evening hunt.

 

When we arrived the guide was not present and we waited on the front porch until he came back.

He was there the entire time, but was guiding his father on his hunt from this morning.

Once the guide arrived we were quickly greeted by Jason Wallace of Alpha Outfitters.  He showed us around the “Lodge” and moved our stuff to our resting place for the evening.

 

After we got everything put away in our room, we loaded up to head over to what is known as the “Photography Blind”.

 

By this time it is about 4:45-5:00 PM and we begin to see movement.

 
 

The feeder wasn’t more than 120 yards away from us and we could see the timid Audad ready to rush in the moment the dinner bell began to ring.

All of a sudden the feeder starts to throw, and the guide wasn’t bashful with the corn. This thing must has run for at least thirty seconds.

 

After a while of not seeing anything of taking a shot on the first night, darkness was falling on us.

 




Replies:
Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 13:18
Fantastic! SUPER nice axis, Sky! Congratulations!

Thanks for sharing your trip with us! Good "through the optic" pics too!

Is that place located near Rock Springs?




-------------
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: Skylar McMahon
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 13:20
Ted it sure was.
 
Man! Everwhere you turned there was rocks everywhere.


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 14:02
Nice.  Sounds like you have a blast!

-------------
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln


Posted By: Kickboxer
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 14:04
NOBODY hunts with a 30 round magazine...

-------------
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living


Posted By: Skylar McMahon
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 14:15
Dan I said we were waiting on the pigs to come. No telling how many would show up.


Posted By: shooter07
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 14:44
Those are some amazing pics. Glad you guys had an awesome outing. Man i miss Texas. Always damn deployed to take advantage of the hunting down there when i was stationed in Texas/Arkansas.
 
 


-------------
Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum

"Issac Newton invented gravity because some asshole hit him with an apple"
-Chris Moltisanti


Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 15:03
Paul, am I mistaken, or did you say you were considering moving here (TX) in the near future?

If so, if there's anything I can do to help you in that regard, let me know.


-------------
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 15:08
Nice pics.  Axis is very good eat'in, much better than white tail meat.

I applaud your use of a 300WM, it kills stuff extra dead.

Turkeys looked to be in need of killing as well, gotta keep the population in check.

South Texas is indeed a great place to hunt, sorry no piggies wandered into your line of fire.  When they do, a 30-rounder is definitely a good thing.

From the wildlife/terrain/topography, it looks allot like the Sonora area.


-------------
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.


Posted By: shooter07
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 15:15
Originally posted by RifleDude RifleDude wrote:

Paul, am I mistaken, or did you say you were considering moving here (TX) in the near future?

If so, if there's anything I can do to help you in that regard, let me know.
 
Thanks so much Ted. I'm keeping my eye open on two of our terminal locations near Lancaster and Fort Worth for job openings. Nothing set in stone, but the wife and I agree, given that we do have some family down there already and a few friends, that Texas is the best bet if we do consider a big move.
 
I'll keep everyone posted if something does materialize.


-------------
Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum

"Issac Newton invented gravity because some asshole hit him with an apple"
-Chris Moltisanti


Posted By: Skylar McMahon
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 16:59
Paul I'd be more than happy to have you here.
 
Another hunting buddy.


Posted By: cheaptrick
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 17:18
OUTSTANDING!!! Excellent
Made my day just reading it and viewing the pictures! 


-------------
If at first you don't secede...try..try again.


Posted By: Skylar McMahon
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 17:26
anything for you Mark.


Posted By: 3_tens
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 18:14
Unbelievable how good the shots thru the range finder turned out. Congratulations on a spectacular hunt. (Turning Green)


-------------
Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.

Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow
Now the rules have changed again.


Posted By: Kickboxer
Date Posted: April/11/2013 at 18:30
Originally posted by Skylar McMahon Skylar McMahon wrote:

Dan I said we were waiting on the pigs to come. No telling how many would show up.

I was being facetious...

CFII looks "ready"...


-------------
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living


Posted By: Skylar McMahon
Date Posted: April/12/2013 at 08:02
Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

Originally posted by Skylar McMahon Skylar McMahon wrote:

Dan I said we were waiting on the pigs to come. No telling how many would show up.

I was being facetious...

CFII looks "ready"...
Big Smile


Posted By: Bigdaddy0381
Date Posted: April/12/2013 at 08:32
Nice!!!!! Looks like a fun trip.



-------------
P&Z Firearms , Pro gun cleanings and gun repair and wood refinishing.

Ecclesiastes 10:2


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: April/12/2013 at 10:05
 
   Excellent!!   CONGRATS,Skylar.
 
  Excellent photos and story.


-------------
"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: Glock
Date Posted: April/12/2013 at 11:29
Fantastic Skylar man I'm jealous, the Axis buck are stunning looking animals. Great pics they really help to show us your experience.

-------------
Regards Chris


Posted By: mike650
Date Posted: April/12/2013 at 13:10
We already spoke but congrats again Skylar!!!  Excellent

-------------
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear


Posted By: Skylar McMahon
Date Posted: April/12/2013 at 14:05
Mike our conversaion over the phone doesn't give the pictures justice.
 
I put all of them on Facebook, but I just did the highlight reel here.


Posted By: mike650
Date Posted: April/12/2013 at 14:12
Still great stuff my friend!!  Big Smile

-------------
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear


Posted By: bugsNbows
Date Posted: April/12/2013 at 16:48
Congrats Skylar. Great hunt, great pics, great write-up. Excellent

-------------
If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
               Anomymous


Posted By: Chris Farris II
Date Posted: April/15/2013 at 12:27
Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

NOBODY hunts with a 30 round magazine...
There was only TWENTY-FIVE rounds in it thank you very much! Well 24, since I expended a rather epensive match grade round on a jack rabbit. Hammer

-------------
One day your life will flash before your eyes; Make sure it's worth watching.


Posted By: Kickboxer
Date Posted: April/15/2013 at 12:55

You're safe then...

 
Better than me... I expended an expensive 375H&H round on air...


-------------
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living


Posted By: Skylar McMahon
Date Posted: April/15/2013 at 12:56
In his defense, I agged it on, I was pushing him.


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: April/15/2013 at 14:02
BS Flag
CFII ain't never needed "egging" on when it comes to shootin'

-------------
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln


Posted By: Skylar McMahon
Date Posted: April/17/2013 at 07:56
Meat came back yesterday.
 


Posted By: Glock
Date Posted: April/17/2013 at 10:32
Nice what do you typicaly do with your carcass, in other words how do you process it Skylar?

-------------
Regards Chris


Posted By: Skylar McMahon
Date Posted: April/17/2013 at 10:36
Chris I don't understand what you mean?
 
After the shot we loaded "Tom Cruise" up and took him to the barn. Jason had a friend with him, skined and processed him while we went his buck.
 
I didn't see what they did.


Posted By: Glock
Date Posted: April/17/2013 at 13:59
Sorry South African terms coming out there, do you tend to make more sausages or do you guys tend to cut out the various cuts of meat (roasts, ect). Most people in S.A tend to make Biltong, Dry wors and Boerewors. Basicaly the first two are dried meats, something like Jerky I guess, and the last one is a type of sausage.

-------------
Regards Chris


Posted By: Skylar McMahon
Date Posted: April/17/2013 at 14:14
Chris you can pretty much do it any way you like.
 
I spent a day trying to locate someone who was capable of processing. That was a chore in itself, because our whitetail season is long over and several processor shut their operation down, because there is not enough business to sustain keeping the doors open.
 
But when I got there, I explained that I have never had anything like this processed before and he made some suggestions based on what he has seen and done from previous customers who he's had success with.
 
I like hamburgers and steaks, and love to grill so, based on his suggestions, choose to do something I can pull out before I leave to come to the office. By the time I get home, I will start a fire and my meat will be thawed out.
 
Then like Ted, I will prepared a marinade, let it brew for about twenty to thirty minutes, grill, then eat.
 
While the meat is in the drink, that gives me ample opportunity to prep my vegatables. Recently I have become intrigued with several green vegetables. Mostly because of my diet.
 
I have made a diligent effort to cut out anything white, IE starches.
 
But I really like grilling asparagus now. And what I will do is take some white wine and butter and put that in some foil and what it will do is steam cook the veggies and still give them that grilled flavor. It's excellent.
 
I will be sure to keep you posted with how I cook it and will post pictures and recipes as well. Cool


Posted By: Glock
Date Posted: April/17/2013 at 14:27
Thanks Skylar I was really Inquisitive as to how you guys prepare your meat that side, you guys seem to to utilize the meat more for cooking. Here it is mostly dried or made into sausage, depending on what animal is shot. I really like the asparagus idea I must try that one.

-------------
Regards Chris


Posted By: Skylar McMahon
Date Posted: April/17/2013 at 14:28
Chris I will have to make a video for you now and show you how I do it.


Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: April/17/2013 at 14:28
Originally posted by Skylar McMahon Skylar McMahon wrote:


Then like Ted, I will...


Keep thinking along those lines, and you'll most certainly achieve great things in life, my young apprentice!Wink


-------------
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: bugsNbows
Date Posted: April/17/2013 at 16:44
Originally posted by RifleDude RifleDude wrote:

Originally posted by Skylar McMahon Skylar McMahon wrote:


Then like Ted, I will...


Keep thinking along those lines, and you'll most certainly achieve great things in life, my young apprentice!Wink


Ah Grasshopper, wax on, wax off. Big Grin


-------------
If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
               Anomymous


Posted By: tahqua
Date Posted: April/17/2013 at 17:12
Wow Sky! I am glad I finally got to this post. What a great read and pictures, thanks.

-------------
Doug


Posted By: Claus
Date Posted: April/18/2013 at 03:57
ExcellentExcellentExcellent  WOOOOW ExcellentExcellentExcellent

MAAAAN.... Im drooling over here, and it won't stop.
What a great trip you guys had. I dont know much about Axis cause we don't have em over here. They sure have great racks. Are they a Texas specialty?
Great story and fotos. Thanks for telling / showing.


-------------
Savage 93 17.HMR. Tikka Tac A1 308 Blaser R8 6,5-55 / 30-06. Beretta Silver Pigeon. Comming up-TIKKATAC A1 22LR

Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what the hell happened


Posted By: Skylar McMahon
Date Posted: April/18/2013 at 07:52
No, they are not native.
 
I cannot remember who did it initially, but they were brought over in the forties I believe and now several ranches market them for hunts from April-September. Perfect for the off season.


Posted By: Skylar McMahon
Date Posted: April/23/2013 at 10:02
Got the sunset photo cleaned up.
 
Now you can see the valley real nice!



Print Page | Close Window

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd. - https://www.webwiz.net