Texas Hunting Leases

            I would have to say that hunting is a major part of my life.  However, I do put God, family and my country before all, but the chance to spend time in the great outdoors is a special part of my life.  As a youth hunting coordinator, summer camp director, guide and outfitter, I find it hard to find time for myself when it comes to hunting.  I look so forward to sharing what God has given me with others and there is one animal that I want to share with you in this article. 

            That animal is the elusive and most amazing of creatures and that is the Axis deer.  Of course this just my opinion, but after years of guiding and looking through glass at these magnificent animals, I have come to the conclusion that hunting these animals and finding a true trophy is an awesome adventure.  Not only is the Axis the best of table fare, but also one of the most elusive game animals I have ever hunted.

            The Axis deer is one that is on alert at all times.  Their nervous nature and need to retreat at the first glance of an intruder is so curious to me.  As we Texans love to hunt big Whitetail each fall and marvel at their intelligence level, I am hear to tell you that I have found a note worthy opponent.

            I am a Whitetail hunter till my time on earth is done, but to bide my time, I have found an animal that not only challenges me, but challenges me as a guide and hunter.  They are extremely smart and like a Whitetail they reach trophy stature in the most limited of number.

            Over the past several years we have run a number of hunts for Axis and I have found the best time to go looking for these great animals is May through September.  As most of us take the field during the October through April time frame, and then head to the lakes and cost for the fishing and recreation, the Axis deer is in their prime rut activity and most prolific at this time. 

            The Axis bucks are very rare when it comes to breeding and they do so at two major times of the year.  They do this in the late fall and early summer.  Therefore most of us take the field hunting in October and those of us that have Axis on our properties will harvest a fair share of quality bucks during this time.

            Now it does not take a rocket scientist to understand that most of these bucks are hitting the ground during this time, there are bunches that do not have antlers or are growing new ones in the fall and winter.  Therefore, there are far more trophies that go un-hunted during the early summer and throughout the dog days of our Texas heat.  With that being said there are more hunters that have figured this out and are booking their summer time hunt.

            As with hunting any type of big game animal you want to hunt them during their peak season and with Whitetail that is during late November and mid December in most of Texas.  That is when we are the most successful at taking or trying to take a quality Whitetail buck.

            With Axis I will not be the first to acknowledge this but maybe the first to tell you that you increase your odds during the early summer.  There are far more big bucks at this time for the simple fact that there are fewer hunters taking the field.

            The Axis buck is quite vocal during their mating time of the year.  Just like an elk they will tell you of their whereabouts.  That is what makes it both fun and challenging.  Yes, you may hear them, but then you must move into a position to intersect their path and the great hunt of a spot and stalk is now on. 

            Axis bucks are a great trophy for the wall, but also the best meat on the planet.  Of course this is just my opinion, but if you are looking to take a wonderful animal and are looking for a great hunt you need to look toward the summer for the chance of a lifetime at these wonderful creatures.

Michael Marbach is the Executive Director of the Christian Outdoor Alliance and is a member of the LeaseHunter.com Pro Staff.  For more information on COA, please see www.mycoa.org.

Brad Paisley’s hit song “Ticks” has come at time where checking for them on something other than a wife or girlfriend may be a good idea for South Texas hunters and ranchers.    Hunters along the Rio Grande from Del Rio to Brownsville as well as Starr, Maverick, Dimmit and Webb counties are being notified that the state quarantine zone has been expanded by the Texas Animal Health Commission.  Under this quarantine, landowners may be required to treat deer and exotic populations for the disease. Hunters should leave harvested animal hides behind and both are encouraged to call the TAHC for inspections.

The disease does not affect humans but can be devastating to untreated cattle.  Texas Cattle Fever has a history dating back to 1886 where cattle in Illinois were killed by infected herds moving in from Texas cattle drives.  Cattle in Texas have long been treated for ticks by using a dipping method developed on the King Ranch by Robert Kleberg.  However, Mexican herds still carry the disease over the border where wildlife can be infected.  Modern ways of treating deer populations include a “four-poster” method designed to distribute tickicide to the head, neck and ears while feeding.  This method was originated by some Kerrville scientists for other tick-transmitted diseases such as Lyme disease.  “Use of ivermectin-treated corn and 4-poster technology is vital to the ongoing campaign to eradicate cattle-fever ticks introduced to southern Texas on hosts such as cattle, horses, white-tailed deer, or exotic ungulate wildlife that come across the Rio Grande from Mexico,” says entomologist John George, who leads the research at Kerrville. “By using all our resources and knowledge, it will be possible to minimize or eliminate ticks on white-tailed deer and other ungulate wildlife, keeping U.S. cattle free of Texas fever.”

When hunting these areas of South Texas, make sure that you work closely with your land owner and the local state and health officials to keep this disease in check.  The Texas cattle industry is an important one to our state and is connected to providing private hunting lands that we all enjoy