The Nilgai Post

[HairyScandinavian]

2. Early morning edge of feeding area, prone 328 yds, 308 150gr SST, broke both front shoulders, dropped both lungs, liver lacerations from bone fragments, still alive, finished at 10 yds

Quoted so people will read it again lol. Damn!

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Why are you guys using shotguns? NWR restrictions?

Yea. I chose a muzzle loader on mine and wish I would have went the shotgun route.

 

[Fatcamp]

Yea. I chose a muzzle loader on mine and wish I would have went the shotgun route.

Ya, modern rifled shotguns are pretty impressive.

 

[Ozarkansas]

I just found out I drew a muzzleloader/shotgun hunt at Laguna atascosa for this year, I’m looking forward to learning all I can about nilgai in general and that area specifically.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I just found out I drew a muzzleloader/shotgun hunt at Laguna atascosa for this year, I’m looking forward to learning all I can about nilgai in general and that area specifically.

Which sub unit?

 

[HairyScandinavian]

I just found out I drew a muzzleloader/shotgun hunt at Laguna atascosa for this year, I’m looking forward to learning all I can about nilgai in general and that area specifically.

When are you going to be there? Shoot me a PM, we also drew that one and there's only two dates so it's a 50/50 we'll be there at the same time.

 

[Ozarkansas]

Which sub unit?

Edited for privacy

 

[Blackdog317]

I've had 3 successful hunts over the years. 2 bulls and a cow. 308 Win on the 1st (cup and core bullet), 270 Win on the others (130 gr Interbond). Both bulls were shot in the white patch on the neck.

1st bull was at 150 yds facing directly at me. My Dad's buddy/guide said to center punch the white patch. I was 15 yrs old and did what I was told. Rear legs buckled on impact, it sat on it's hind end and fell over dead.

Several years later, we bumped a bull from it's bed. It stood, very slightly quartering to us at 80 yds, staring right at me. 270 Win hit the white patch and it fell to the ground.

The cow also died from a hit to the neck with the same 270. But this was a lucky shot with the animal on the run. Not a CNS kill. She ran 100 yds and bled out.

I'm not recommending these types of shots... just sharing my experience as it happened. On the bulls, that was the only shot I had. On the cow, I should have passed. Thankfully, they all ended in a quick kill.


I helped a buddy on another hunt a few years ago. He killed a bull with a 338 Win Mag at 200 yds (bullet unknown). His Dad backed him up with a 300 Weatherby Mag (bullet unknown). 1st shot was in the vitals with the bull broadside, calmly feeding. Shots 2 - 4 hit the hip, brisket, and upper front leg as the animal turned and ran 150 yds, falling just before it reached the heavy brush. None of those bullets exited. Minimal blood trail. The bull ran at full speed as if it wasn't injured.

 

[mcfd45]

What’s the taste like?

 

[S-3 ranch]

What’s the taste like?

Better than deer and antelope for sure

 

[Cynoscion]

I’m not sure how I missed this thread but I’m a wildlife biologist/outfitter/hunting guide in south Texas. I hunt for a living and this time of year and I am literally guiding anywhere from 4-10 nilgai per month among all kinds of other critters. At one point in my career, I was responsible for filling a quota of 100-150 nilgai per year on a highly managed ranch. All this to say, after 25 years in the business, I have seen LOTS of nilgai die. Im going to guess over 1000 for sure without exaggerating too much.
Anyway, they are definitely tough and have a will to live like no other critter I’ve ever hunted. They are extremely nervous creatures by nature and always seem to be on pins and needles. I’ve stalked in on and snuck up on a lot of them and they really never seem at ease even when I know they have no clue I am there. I think this is a big part of why they make such long runs after being shot well.
10-15 years ago, I was a big caliber/big bullet proponent like most nilgai outfitters in south Texas but modern calibers and modern bullet construction have changed the game. I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot a big bull with any modern centerfire caliber as long as the bullet is a match type designed to fragment and make a big wound channel. As of now, the heavy for caliber Berger hybrids and ELd-m’s are among my favorite. All that being said, I must admit feeling under gunned when you sneak in on a flat and there’s a big ol gorilla out there at 300-400 yards and you can’t sneak any closer and “all” you have is a 6.5 of some flavor
I’ll post some pics of just my last few hunts to give y’all an idea of what we do down here. They are a blast to hunt on foot and without a doubt one of my favorite critters.

 

[DosAmigos]

I’m not sure how I missed this thread but I’m a wildlife biologist/outfitter/hunting guide in south Texas. I hunt for a living and this time of year and I am literally guiding anywhere from 4-10 nilgai per month among all kinds of other critters. At one point in my career, I was responsible for filling a quota of 100-150 nilgai per year on a highly managed ranch. All this to say, after 25 years in the business, I have seen LOTS of nilgai die. Im going to guess over 1000 for sure without exaggerating too much.
Anyway, they are definitely tough and have a will to live like no other critter I’ve ever hunted. They are extremely nervous creatures by nature and always seem to be on pins and needles. I’ve stalked in on and snuck up on a lot of them and they really never seem at ease even when I know they have no clue I am there. I think this is a big part of why they make such long runs after being shot well.
10-15 years ago, I was a big caliber/big bullet proponent like most nilgai outfitters in south Texas but modern calibers and modern bullet construction have changed the game. I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot a big bull with any modern centerfire caliber as long as the bullet is a match type designed to fragment and make a big wound channel. As of now, the heavy for caliber Berger hybrids and ELd-m’s are among my favorite. All that being said, I must admit feeling under gunned when you sneak in on a flat and there’s a big ol gorilla out there at 300-400 yards and you can’t sneak any closer and “all” you have is a 6.5 of some flavor
I’ll post some pics of just my last few hunts to give y’all an idea of what we do down here. They are a blast to hunt on foot and without a doubt one of my favorite critters.

Good looking Critters!!!

 

[Cynoscion]

Thanks, Bill.

Here’s a couple of pics from my last hunt. Big old post mature bull. He was covered from head to toe in old scars and a bunch of fresh cuts and pokes from recent battles too. A bruiser for sure!

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Thanks, Bill.

Here’s a couple of pics from my last hunt. Big old post mature bull. He was covered from head to toe in old scars and a bunch of fresh cuts and pokes from recent battles too. A bruiser for sure!

Nice bulls man. Hey, since you've clearly got a lot of kills under your belt can you speak to shot placement with the lighter cartridges shooting fragmenting projectiles? I've only take apart a handful of them and seems to me the lungs are easier to hit a little higher than I'd normally shoot for other animals as down low they seem to be tucked behind that shoulder. With larger rounds seems everyone prefers the high shoulder straight down from the hump. Our party has killed two with archery equipment and both shots were high and further back than they should've been but both died. Same with rifles mostly though one was put down with a follow up running neck.

 

[S-3 ranch]

Nice bulls man. Hey, since you've clearly got a lot of kills under your belt can you speak to shot placement with the lighter cartridges shooting fragmenting projectiles? I've only take apart a handful of them and seems to me the lungs are easier to hit a little higher than I'd normally shoot for other animals as down low they seem to be tucked behind that shoulder. With larger rounds seems everyone prefers the high shoulder straight down from the hump. Our party has killed two with archery equipment and both shots were high and further back than they should've been but both died. Same with rifles mostly though one was put down with a follow up running neck.

Not to interrupt the conversation but I have been in on or shot about 200
Nilgai and I have never seen one lost with a classic Africa shot / straight up the leg
“”

The "high shoulder" or "Hedren shot" ( "high shoulder") in hunting is a technique aiming for the area just above the front shoulder, targeting the brachial plexus (nerve bundle) and vertebraefor an immediate, humane drop, often called a "bang flop," sacrificing some meat for a fast stop, unlike standard lung/heart shots.

 

[Jmoore]

My son goes to tamuk studying range and wildlife mgmt. He works as a guide on a place down there. He was offered the chance to take a bull Saturday and jumped all over it.