Gday again guys,
Well its been a long time between drinks in regards to me pitting my efforts against the well honed natural abilities of our Axis deer herds ( we call them Chital here in Aussie ) of central western Queensland.
Im lucky enough to have hunted the same place now for over a decade and if it was not for the 7 hour drive I'd be hunting there week in and week out.
As you can see the drought has not left the deer in poor condition...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_8720_zps23fc0a66.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Longbow_lad/media/IMG_8720_zps23fc0a66.jpg.html)
I snapped these two showing off to the ladies...like we all did when younger...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_8702_zpsd7e0643d.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Longbow_lad/media/IMG_8702_zpsd7e0643d.jpg.html)
And I was lucky to get a pic of this doe. She is the only animal 'off limits' to me on the property. The owners like the look of her and are thinking of getting her fully mounted...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_8708_zps6e2695a1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Longbow_lad/media/IMG_8708_zps6e2695a1.jpg.html)
But as is nice as it is taking photos... I had work to do so the following morning I went for a stalk, staying low within the spring that flows through the basalt areas of rock and black soil country.
The deer always seem keep close to the clean running spring water due to the fresh grasses constantly shooting up. Making my way a long I heard a stag bellowing his intentions and I caught sight of him through the timber and had planned to follow him in order to see what unfolded.
Shortly there after a doe walked towards me as I was glassing the stag and started eating close to me at a range of just over 20 odd yards Id say. In the past Ive passed up on does in place of holding out on a shot at a stag but as it is with hunting my plans were never the same as my quarry's and I have come up empty handed more times then I care to remember.
So with those nagging thoughts I dew a number of times on this doe but each time I was ready to release she'd change the shooting angle on me. But alas... the planets lined up, and so did I on her shoulder and dumped 62# of well made recurved limbs all to have her jump the string on me ( yep... these deer are super sensitive to noise and movement )... and upon her turing away from the noise my arrow smashed into her neck, breaking it and dropping her in the dust.
And here is the end results...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_8634_zpsfee32cc5.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Longbow_lad/media/IMG_8634_zpsfee32cc5.jpg.html)
Gota love ASAT, silent footwear, hand made arrows and a well shooting 'curve I say!
Cheers guys and enjoy your hunting season,
ak.
Great story and congrats!
Great story and deer. Axis happens to be my favorite meat. :thumbsup:
Sometimes bad shots are perfectly placed. Congrats.
Love the pics and the story, pretty cool to see that little recurve get it done for you Al!! Nice!
Congrats Al! Great to read your stories again. I hear they are good eating too :)
Awesome Al!!!!!
Spot and Stalk Chital with a stick is as tough as it gets in our islands!!!!
Well Done Mate!!!
Congrats on Your Axis!
Way to go, Al!!!!
Congrats on some fine table fare!
Bisch
Nice Axis Al.... Man they are good to eat.
Congratulation! Beautiful animal!
al, you are the man! :notworthy:
chital with trad gear is a very difficult assignment. i've come very close but haven't sealed the deal yet. having evolved being hunted by tigers i know what you mean when you say super sensitive!
congratulations!
clint
Excellent, mate! Very happy for you!
Excellent brother, congrats!!
Way to go my friend.
Love your posts Al! Thanks again....
:campfire:
Al,since you are been back to your bowhunting ground you have made good things,congrats.
Congrats!
Congratulations! Axis are one of the most beautiful and best tasting deer.
Beautiful pics and story! Congrats!
Good stuff congrats Brother!
Thanks guys for the complements...
Chital deer do taste very nice and this is the first one I've not taken the skin from as I was processing all the meat. Plan on eating the back straps tonight for dinner.
Cheers,
ak.
AL
GREAT STORY AND PICTURES
CONGRATULATIONS
Nice!
Congrats Al glad to see you back up and running after the lost of your gear :thumbsup:
That's fantastic! Congratulations, Al!
Well done....!
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :archer2:
:clapper: :clapper:
Awesome!
Are you out of the sand box for good these days?
Good hunting!
Congrats Al on taking a fine animal. And thanks for sharing with us from down under.
Tony
Congrats on a fine axis! :thumbsup:
Nothing wrong with them Does for sure. Good luck on your next adventure.
Sounds like an awesome hunt. Congrat's.
Nice deer! congrats!
The deer family seem to be super sensitive the world over, well done and I'll bet the bbq is going to be a good resting place for some fresh steaks.