Free Range Axis Deer Hunting
Alpine, TX
1-2 Guests • Lodge • Private • Guided
Description
Best Axis Deer Hunting Texas
3-Day/2-Night Meals and Lodging Included
Axis deer are one of the most common exotic species hunted in Texas, and if you’re looking for a giant axis deer hunt in Texas you’ve come to the right place! I hunt axis deer on several different ranches, but my ranch with the best axis deer hunting is 3600 acres in Real County. This ranch has the biggest axis deer I’ve ever seen and with 400-500 axis deer on the ranch, you will see numerous giant bucks to choose from while axis deer hunting. Because these axis deer are so big and score so well, I call this ranch my “super trophy axis” ranch.
Unlike a lot of people, I don’t refer to my axis deer based only on the main beam length. In my opinion, telling you my axis deer are 32” or 34” or 36” etc tells you very little about the deer, or the size of the deer. Because of this, when I’m talking about axis deer, I talk about them based on their SCI score. Much like giving you a B&C score on a whitetail, talking about the overall score of an axis deer gives you a much more accurate assessment of the deer. My average axis buck harvested on this ranch will score 160” +, which is well into the “Gold Medal” category for SCI. Every year we also harvest several axis bucks that break the 170” mark, which is an axis of a lifetime, as well as the occasional non-typical buck.
I also have management axis buck hunts available on this ranch which are huge body size, but don’t quite have the tine length to make them “super trophy axis”. These management axis bucks still provide you with a lot of great meat as well as a great hunt, but they save you a little money so you can come on another hunt.
Free Range Axis Deer Hunts in Texas
I’ve also got a couple of different ranches in the Hill Country with some great free-range axis. These axis deer are typically smaller than my super trophy axis bucks, but are still great trophies and are 100% free-range deer. Most of these ranches have hay fields that draw the axis in and during the rut, typically late May through mid-July, you never know what might walk out of the brush. Most of these hunts are done out of a blind, but occasionally we’ll spot and stalk hunt depending on the situation.
Axis Hunts Texas – Who is this hunt for:
Axis deer are considered an “exotic” in Texas and there’s no closed season on hunting exotics in Texas. This means you can hunt them year-round, but the best time for axis deer hunting in Texas is from May through September. During this time, the majority of my bigger axis bucks are going to be hard antlered.
The roads around the ranch are kept in very good condition, so as long as you can get in the cab of my Jeep Scrambler, or in the seat in the bed of my Jeep, you won’t have any issue getting around the ranch. Since the majority of my axis deer hunts are spot/stalk, if you really want to have a chance at a giant axis buck you will need to be able to walk on rocky terrain and shoot off of shooting sticks (out to about 250 yards) or while bracing off of a tree limb.
Spot and stalk axis deer hunting might be a little tough for a novice hunter, but if that’s the case we can always hunt out of a blind overlooking a feeder. But if you’re up for the challenge and want to get up close and personal with a lot of giant axis deer, this is the hunt for you!
Price is for 3-Day/2-Night Free Range Axis Hunt.
Included in all Axis Deer Hunts:
Meals
Lodging
Transportation around the ranch
Field care of your trophy
Not included in Axis Deer Hunts:
Valid Texas Hunting License (Non-resident Special 5 Day Hunting License – Type 157 – $48)
Gratuities
Transportation to ranch
Skinning, caping, quartering of your trophy
Drinks other than coffee and water
Additional services available for all Axis Deer Hunts:
Non-hunting guests
Skinning & quartering of your trophy
Caping & freezing hide for transport home
Texas Axis Deer – Animal Specifics:
Axis deer, or Chital, are native to the Indian subcontinent and were imported into Texas in the 1930s and now occupy at least 45 Texas counties. With their bright reddish coat and white spots, they are considered one of the most beautiful deer species.
Most axis bucks typically have simple antlers, with 3 points on each side, and typically weigh about 200 pounds. In May, before they run their fat off, my super trophy axis will be 250 lbs +! Axis does are smaller and typically weigh 100-125 pounds.
Axis Deer Hunting Texas:
Most of my axis deer hunting in Texas is done by spot and stalk. We drive around until we locate a nice herd or a great buck and then stalk into position for a shot. At times we try and call them in (yes you can sometimes call axis into you). When they are rutting, and bellowing/screaming at each other, it’s easy to locate them and then start stalking in their direction.
A typical day of axis deer hunting begins before sunrise with something quick and easy for breakfast (coffee, juice, pastries, fruit). As soon as we finish breakfast, we load up in my Jeep and we are hunting immediately upon leaving the lodge. We typically hunt until 9:30 or 10 AM, when the axis deer head to the brush for shade, and then come in for a nice, hearty brunch (Carne guisada tacos or breakfast tacos).
Because most of my axis deer hunting takes place in the summer it gets pretty warm during the day, so after brunch, we take a break from hunting until the early afternoon. This keeps the axis deer calm and gives us time to go swimming or fishing or just take a nap and relax around camp. About 4 PM I light the grill and start getting dinner ready. By 4:45 we’re eating dinner and then it’s back in the Jeep for the afternoon hunt. With the long days in the summer, we still get 4 good hours to hunt in the afternoon, avoid the heat of the day and we’re not eating dinner at 11 PM or midnight.
If we’re struggling to get in on the axis deer via spot and stalk, or if I have a hunter that can’t get around like they were once able to, we’ll head to the blind and wait for the axis deer to come to us. But I think the spot and stalk axis hunts are a lot more fun and exciting, so I’ll always try that type of hunt first.
Texas Axis Hunting Regions:
Axis deer can be found in over 45 counties in Texas, but the majority of my axis deer hunting occurs in the Hill Country. If flying, San Antonio International Airport is the closest major airport and from there it’s typically less than a 2-hour drive to any of my axis deer hunting ranches.
Axis deer are amazing animals and a great hunt, whether you are a beginner or an experienced hunter. Don’t wait too long, my Axis hunts fill up quickly and you should reserve your spot as soon as possible.
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Upgrades
Skinning & Quartering
$120.00
Transportation Prep
$60.01
Your Host
from $6370/Experience
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Base Price
$6370.00 Per Person Per Experience
$120.00 Per Item
$60.01 Per Item
$290.00 Per Person Per Night Per Item
Please note that there is a 50% non-refundable deposit included with your booking fee. In case of cancellation, and in accordance with the Host's cancellation policy, the remaining 50% may be returned to you or applied towards rescheduling a future trip.
Amenities
- Guide
- Meals
- Lodging
- Transportation around the ranch
- Field care of your trophy(s)
Location
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Gear List
- Valid TX hunting license
- Rain Gear
- Backpack – a water bladder in your pack is helpful
- Comfortable boots/shoes
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Rules & Guidelines
Axis Deer Hunting Texas – Packing List:
Please note that some of these links are affiliate links and I earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I use myself and find to be useful.
Since it’s typically pretty warm when axis deer hunting you are going to want to wear as cool and comfortable clothing as possible. I typically just wear jeans, snake boots (to keep the cactus and thorns/brush off my legs), and a long sleeve, lightweight camo shirt.
Since there is no closed season on axis deer hunting the weather will vary greatly depending on the time of year we will be hunting. If you are coming axis deer hunting anytime other than the summer months you will want to pack in layers as the days will warm up but the mornings and afternoons can be cool to cold.
For my hunts in the late spring, summer, and early fall (Axis, Blackbuck, late-season Turkey, early-season Elk, etc) one of the products I’ve found to be extremely important is Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent.
We spend a lot of time walking/stalking through tall grass and with Sawyer Permethrin I don’t have to worry about getting chiggers or ticks on me. You spray it on your clothing, and once it dries it’s odorless and colorless. Chiggers itch so bad that they can really ruin a hunt, but with Sawyer Permethrin you don’t have to worry. I LOVE this product, and literally never leave home without it!
Here’s my suggested packing list:
Valid TX hunting license
Rain gear
Backpack – a water bladder in your pack is helpful
Comfortable boots/shoes
Snake boots (I typically wear snake boots to keep the cactus/thorns/brush off my legs)
Binoculars
Jeans/Pants/Insulated Overalls (Lighter weight pants for the Spring/Summer and heavier weight for the Fall/Winter)
Camo shirts: Short & Long Sleeve Shirts & Insulated Long Sleeve Shirts (I really love these KUIU shirts!)
Jacket/Coat
Hunting Gloves
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Chapstick
Insect Repellent Sawyer Permethrin
Rifle & Ammo or Bow & Arrows
Uninsulated & Insulated underwear
Kuiu Socks and Darn tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion socks are my favorite. They last close to forever!
Comfortable camp clothes
Personal Toiletries & Medicines
General Hunting Regulations:
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/hunting/general-regulations/
In Texas, anyone of any age is required to purchase a valid hunting license in order to hunt any animal, bird, frog, or turtle. Exceptions to this rule apply in special circumstances. Hunters must also successfully complete a Hunter Education Course to obtain a license.
Additional information on bag limits, game-specific requirements, and other regulations can be found on the Texas Parks & Wildlife website.
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