EDIT- Full story:
This morning was the last hunt of a good weekend hunt. The main season is over, and we are in a special "extended season" for does and spike bucks. Since our lease is over-run with bucks, and I am out of buck tags, I was not really looking to shoot a doe. I wanted to get an Axis.
So I was out at the blind most of the morning, and saw one little doe walk through. I was getting some good reading done, and was about to pack it in when my brother texted from his blind (I know. Sign of the times) that he was going to shoot a corn-thief squirrel. I heard the shot, and thought "well, at least the hunt was not a waste."
I saw a similar corn-thief under my feeder, so I decided to lower the population by one more. So I brought up the iron sighted Ishapore Enfeild, lined up on the sucker, and scored a headshot on him from a laser measured 68 yards. Heck of a shot, I thought, and packed up all my stuff.
We drove out of the lease, and were almost gone when 45er's brother said, "Hey, there are Axis in the field." Looked out, and saw a herd of 10-12 axis does about 600 yards away.
I quickly re-camo myself, reload the rifle (NEF single shot .308 with Leupold 3-9x40) and take off. I work around the side of them, and get in close- like 40 yards. One of the little yearling does pins me down and stares right at me. I freeze, and they trot off. I slowly work through the brush, and get to the open. There was no more cover, and the herd was 200 yards away. All I had for a rest was a Stoney Point monopod. I made my decision, lined up on the biggest one I had a clean shot on, said a quick prayer, and fired.
The doe hit the ground, thrashed a bit, popped up before I could reload, and leapt the fence. After a short track, my brother found the doe 40 yards away.
If you follow 45er's blog, you may have seen this post from him a while ago:
An Open Letter to Hunters
We have had 2 deer taken off our lease that had been wounded shortly before.
Now, we had three:
Anyway, the wound and the deer were not infected, so the meat was still good.
Results couldn't have been better. I'm glad you both connected with some meat. Most especially Axis meat. Those tenderloins have a date with destiny.
ReplyDeleteNice! I have a great recipe for deer haunch coming up.
ReplyDelete45er- This was an outstanding hunt. I am already thinking that I am going to season, sear, and wrap the tenderloins in phyllo dough. Sounds like a easy and tasty faux-wellington.
ReplyDeleteBrigid- Thanks! I am editing for the full story now.
Great! Friend of mine has went to capacity on deer here.
ReplyDeleteKneads- I wish we had seen enough does to tag out on them. The land is just overrun with spikes, forks, and other "less desirable" male deer.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, that's not a bad idea. I have a bunch of phyllo left over from the spanikopita. That and the chili-cheese phyllo experiment. I may have to do some tenderloin wraps.
ReplyDeleteNext week, more of the same? I may sit up on a hill for more range.
If you need some help clearing out spikes and does, just drop me an email. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's cool that you have axis running free. I hear they taste awesome. It's on my agenda for 2012 to bag one (huzzah for exotics and being able to hunt them all year round).
- Hsoi
Great thank you all for sharing your views. The land is overrun with spikes, forks and male deer. Are you looking for axis hunts in Texas?
ReplyDelete