As an update, I had him officially scored by an SCI Master Measurer yesterday and he grossed 187 1/8 which placed him #2 all-time but taking the 2% velvet deduction put him at 183 3/8 which is #5.

One thing I should have done was had him scored immediately. There's no drying time required with SCI and he would have scored higher. His size shrunk considerably (IMO). See for yourself below.

Either way, it was a MONSTER trophy that anyone would be proud of. It's not about a "book" deer for me. It was awesome sitting in a pop-up blind with my 5 year old and having her spot the deer first. It was alone and walking between the shin oaks and I only caught a glimpse of its non-typical side. My daughter was beside herself when she saw it and even more so when we retrieved it.

The great thing is that she doesn't care if it's a doe, a buck, a pig or a tin can...she just has a blast being out there with me. That's a trophy I'll always have in my heart.

Nice Axis!!! That is a CUTE Little Girl!

amazing animal

very nice!

outstanding axis!

That is a MONSTER Axis!! Congratulations my friend.....

The BEAST! Congrats!!!

Which taxidermist did you use?

American Taxidermy out of Terrell.

What a beast! I love the pedestal mount.

Thanks WBT. I knew I wanted something different and I feel those pedestal mounts look fantastic.

I used American Taxidermy because he happened to be at Kuby's here in Dallas as I was dropping him off for the meat processing. He's been very accomodating in working on this mount because the velvet's had a problem with stinking. He's taken it back and injected more formaldehyde in it to get the extra stench out.

Hey Bone,
I had the same problem of a smell on mine. I found a guy
on the east coast to put an artificial velvet that looks great. By the way, where did you hunt him?
David

My little girl is 2 now but I cant wait till she is ready for this!!!!! Great deer and you are a great DAD!!!!! Keep them outdoors and hunting!!!!


Later
TGT

I'd be curious to see any pics you've got of your artifical velvet. I've heard good and bad about it but was most concerned about whether it looks artificial or not. Either way, I need to wait until I get it in the SCI books and wait for any potential re-scores before doing that.

I shot it at the family ranch in Mills Co.

Very nice Axis
I have mounted several using fake velvet I will never do another with the injection method. No smell and the velvet is full from bases to tips of horns. It actually looks better then what mother nature did herself.

Where are they located in Terrell? I use Salisbury in Terrell for mounts and I was just curious