The Nilgai Post

[Ozarkansas]

All good info above. When I’m deciding where to hunt, wind direction is my first concern. I can fool a nilgai’s eyes and ears by using terrain, obstacles and wind velocity but you will never beat their noses. Wind direction is everything!
Nilgai travel very similar to cattle in that they repeatedly use the same trails. Find areas where multiple heavily used trails intersect and there you will find dung piles. Where you find trails and active dung piles, you will find nilgai. Put all of these together with open low spots or big open flats with Bermuda grass growing in the bottom and you have found yourself a nilgai honey hole. Animals will be moving in and out of these types of areas all day long. Sit tight, downwind overlooking these areas and let them come to you. The perfect day would be a cold, clear morning where the sun comes out mid morning and warms up to about 75-80. They will be out moving like ants on these days.
Good luck!

Just saved this post for future reference.

What you describe is where I was spending my time hunting, but I wouldn’t have known it checked all the boxes for a “Nilgai honey hole”

 

[Cynoscion]

I thought I’d share some pics from the last few hunts. We’re still killing some monsters even though the warmer than average temperatures have been making it tough. Hope y’all enjoy!

 

[dchum]

We stalked in from a long ways off to 45 yards on this big old bull. My first time ever seeing the 147gr Hornady match ammo in action. This was out of a 24 inch 6.5 prc. The bull went 20 yards.

The bullet shredded the lungs and exited. Not through shoulders. Just through Both ribcages. I’d now say the 147 match is very suitable…

This was a stud of an old silver back bull. With tons of secondary growth.

 

[UnckleBob]

Texas NWR hunt
12ga Hornady SST sabot slug
Shot at 4, hit 3, recovered 2
First was high shouldered and was DRT more-or-less.
Second was double lunged the second and it went 25 yards and piled up.
Third was hit, no idea where exactly, walked slowly into the brush never to be seen again.

I have been trying to draw the Nilgai public hunts for years. Glad you got one.

 

[UnckleBob]

I’m a TAMUK wildlife program alumni btw. I’m sure I graduated WAY before he was born though

A&I?

 

[dchum]

A&I?

Yes, but that was 36 years ago.

It’s been A&M Kingsville since then

 

[UnckleBob]

Yes, but that was 36 years ago.

It’s been A&M Kingsville since then

I am old enough to have been confused when I saw the TAMUK name for a minute.

I left Texas for about 15 years. When I came back, all the schools had changed names. The first time I saw "Texas State" on a college FB scoreboard, I was still living in Hartford and thought the name was a prank.

 

[Nutkin13]

I have been trying to draw the Nilgai public hunts for years. Glad you got one.

Thanks!I I drew it in my 4th year of applying. I'm not sure what the odds were, but I was told to go buy a lottery ticket afterwards. 4000+ applicants, 150 tags, and 20+ years worth of cubed points floating around.

 

[Esperanza]

This is from last weekend. I thought those that enjoy Nilgai hunting might enjoy.Nilgai Hunt Action Shot

 

[dchum]

This is from last weekend. I thought those that enjoy Nilgai hunting might enjoy.Nilgai Hunt Action Shot

Great footage! Perfect hard quartering shot.

What bullet did the hunter employ?

 

[Esperanza]

Great footage! Perfect hard quartering shot.

What bullet did the hunter employ?

175 ELD-X

 

[Short Track]

I did a TX heart shot. Ran 100 yards exactly. The guide was not happy. But tough nuggies. Still haven't got my meat back. Not sure what higglers does for a month with hanging meat. maybe they don't have help..?

 

[Cynoscion]

You sound like you’d be a blast to hunt with!
The processor is Hibler’s. You should call them if you have questions. Your meat doesn’t hang for months. It is skinned, quartered, deboned and frozen within a couple of days of them getting their hands on your animal. It then stays frozen until your number is up. They are a huge processor using top of the line equipment and are very efficient. I haven’t asked in a couple of years but my guess is that they process north of 1500 carcasses per year and it wouldn’t surprise me if that number was over 2000.
I think anyone who pays them a visit on a skinning day mid season would be super impressed with the amount of help they have and the efficiency with which their employees do their jobs.

 

[Cynoscion]

Meanwhile, at the ranch, we’re still killing some really good bulls. We finally got some very much needed rainfall and things are starting to green up. My season is just about over but I’m already looking forward to October when we start hunting them all over again! Hope y’all enjoy!

 

[Short Track]

You sound like you’d be a blast to hunt with!
The processor is Hibler’s. You should call them if you have questions. Your meat doesn’t hang for months. It is skinned, quartered, deboned and frozen within a couple of days of them getting their hands on your animal. It then stays frozen until your number is up. They are a huge processor using top of the line equipment and are very efficient. I haven’t asked in a couple of years but my guess is that they process north of 1500 carcasses per year and it wouldn’t surprise me if that number was over 2000.
I think anyone who pays them a visit on a skinning day mid season would be super impressed with the amount of help they have and the efficiency with which their employees do their jobs.

They cut 1/2 of it. The other 1/2 is still frozen..
In all my years hunting, I have used 10 different processors. All local to the hunt. FL, CO, NM, CO, WY, NY, NL, NY. etc. The carcass hangs for a few days .. if I'm lucky. and it's cut, and done. All within 3-4 days tops. Then I drive it home, or ship it home depending. Never have I waited a month, or 2 months.

 

[dchum]

You sound like you’d be a blast to hunt with!
The processor is Hibler’s. You should call them if you have questions. Your meat doesn’t hang for months. It is skinned, quartered, deboned and frozen within a couple of days of them getting their hands on your animal. It then stays frozen until your number is up. They are a huge processor using top of the line equipment and are very efficient. I haven’t asked in a couple of years but my guess is that they process north of 1500 carcasses per year and it wouldn’t surprise me if that number was over 2000.
I think anyone who pays them a visit on a skinning day mid season would be super impressed with the amount of help they have and the efficiency with which their employees do their jobs.

lol he is whining about it on another forum as well.

I told him pick up the phone.

From what I can gather from his post on two different sites,
he shot a baby bull up the ass

 

[dchum]

Also got to hunt this past weekend just south of the Sarita immigration Checkpoint

My buddy with his first Nilgai. Nice mature bull

Tried a new bullet as well. This was a 180gr Swift a frame out of a .308win. 24 inch barrel. Box says 2550fps I think? Loaded by Norma. Exited every animal we shot, Worked well.

 

[Cynoscion]

Like I said, he sounds like he’d be a blast to hunt with.
If you come back to south Texas to hunt again, might I suggest you bring coolers and ice with you. It sounds like you’d be better served if you let one of us skin/quarter your animal for you so that you can take it home and get it done “right”.

 

[Short Track]

I love internet stalkers. Please follow me around more @huntingstalker.

Baby bulls taste better. Nilgai is not a trophy regardless. they are just as ugly as turkey.

 

[Cynoscion]

Yep. I was right.