Yo So. Texas! I got Nilgai questions

[Where's Bruce?]

Be driven around on an elevated platform so you can shoot an animal with high powered rifle...this is an acceptable "hunt" in Texas. Want to try fair chase spot & stalk with a recurve...your "high and mighty attitude" is unacceptable. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

[Jaker_cc]

Well I recently moved here, and I can’t say I disagree with him. I’ll be packing up and headed north as soon as possible, not impressed with anything down here except Mexican breakfast for $3, that’s impressive for homemade.

It’s not high and mighty, I have chances to shoot(not hunt) animals down here, I’ve passed them all up. Working in Ag, I meet a lot of people who have hunts, want me to come out. Hard no on that, I’m not a stand sitter or a stand driver. No offense, I’m a hunter not a shooter.

When you’ve spent most of your life in AK, MT, it is one hell of a shock to walk into this style of “wild game”. Call it what you like, I call it farming not hunting.


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I was referencing high and mighty to his attitude on a different forum. He was being very arrogant and demeaning.

It’s different than Alaska and Montana for sure. In some places in south Texas there is no topography in the land at all. The brush is so thick and dense that you can’t walk through it or see more than 5 yards into it. Getting in an elevated blind is the only way to see through this stuff. Driving around on a high rack is preferred by some outfitters that have huge chunks of ground to cover looking for a specific animal, it’s certainly not the norm. Like mentioned above, we have the south Texas brush country, the east Texas piney woods, the coastal marsh country, big bend region, north west Texas plains, and the Palo duro canyon country. One hunting style won’t work for all these regions, the hunting style where he wanted to hunt unfortunately in south Texas is what it is.

 

[jspradley]

I've hunted them twice on public land in TX with my stickbow, one of the guys with us killed a young bull with his xbow at about 30 yards on the first hunt, a very lucky shot, him and the nilgai just happened to walk out on the trail at the same time. Needless to say I went home empty handed both times.

It's a TOUGH hunt, especially with a stick bow. They are nothing at all to get within rifle range on but any closer and they make the most wired whitetail you've ever seen look like they've been popping downers. They are antelope after all and they evolved being eaten by tigers...

I don't know about the place you would be hunting but where I hunter was wide open marshy plains with little patches of trees, very difficult to stalk on, most folks out there seem to have success sitting over poop piles, nilgai make big "patrols" during the day and poop in the same spots, some of those spots will be 10' across and several feet high.

Good luck! I know if folks are sticking auodad with the stugglestick then nilgai is certainly doable.

 

[MTElkChaser]

I don’t blame people for doing it here, I mean it’s 24 hour drive to most places so might as well hunt your backyard, it’s just not for everyone. I really want to eat a Nilgai, I just don’t want to pay $2000 for one, I can buy half an angus for that price lol.


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I paid $3 to draw for my Nilgai tag here, then $80 for the hunt. Not a bad deal ... and I grew up in Montana and my Family still has a ranch there. Have been in Texas for over 20 years now. And while it’s not Montana, Wyoming, or Alaska and most land is private, there are still millions of acres in public land to hunt here.

 

[MTElkChaser]

Not all land is Texas is flat and hunted in a stand or pop up blind either ...

This is in the far western Transpecos / Chihuahuan area of Texas:

 

[EastMT]

Not all land is Texas is flat and hunted in a stand or pop up blind either ...

This is in the far western Transpecos / Chihuahuan area of Texas:

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Yes I have been looking into some of the hunts on the west side, those interest me for sure.


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[arwhntr]

Headed down to south Texas in a couple weeks to chase Nilgai with my bow (compound) for the first time. Planning on a mix of sitting water/trails/dung piles and still hunting. Have certainly heard the horror stories of not recovering animals hit with an arrow (rifle as well). Definitely looking forward to it. Will let you know how it goes.

 

[MTElkChaser]

Yes I have been looking into some of the hunts on the west side, those interest me for sure.


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What part of Texas are you in right now Coop? There are several State Parks in those areas that are open if you want to glass, or even camp for a few days. Federal Parks are still closed, but the State Parks are open.

ALSO - If you have a Texas Hunting License, today is the LAST DAY to enter for the Guided Bighorn Sheep Hunt. It’s $10 ... BUT ... the last five years, only ~4,500 people have entered. I love those odds, but have yet to draw. It’s like playing the lottery - but WAY better odds! Good luck!!

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/hunt-category-details.phtml?OCat=BXX

 

[EastMT]

I’m in RGV. I’m headed to the family farm in MO for deer Sat, mostly sitting with my 5 year old, he’s like trying to get an earthquake to sit still, so if we get a forky will be mighty lucky hahaha.


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[MTElkChaser]

I’m in RGV. I’m headed to the family farm in MO for deer Sat, mostly sitting with my 5 year old, he’s like trying to get an earthquake to sit still, so if we get a forky will be mighty lucky hahaha.


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Good luck on the MO Deer hunt!! Look at my last post and enter in the Guided Bighorn Sheep Hunt if you can.

Also, there are several Youth Only hunts that you can enter for your 5 year old. Not very many people enter and my Son and I used to get drawn all the time when he was eligible. They are really great hunts for little to no money.

Drawn Hunt Catalog is here:

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/hunt-categories.phtml

And over 40 of the Youth Only Hunts cost $0 to enter. Too good to pass up!!

 

[EastMT]

Good luck on the MO Deer hunt!! Look at my last post and enter in the Guided Bighorn Sheep Hunt if you can.

Also, there are several Youth Only hunts that you can enter for your 5 year old. Not very many people enter and my Son and I used to get drawn all the time when he was eligible. They are really great hunts for little to no money.

Drawn Hunt Catalog is here:

https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/hunt-categories.phtml

And over 40 of the Youth Only Hunts cost $0 to enter. Too good to pass up!!

Thanks, I’ll def put one in for the sheep, hard to pass up any chance at those. I’ll start getting him some apps in next year as well.


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[jspradley]

As far as running off, I can confirm that if you shoot one with a direct frontal shot, with a crossbow and a huge ass mechanical they do not run very far... lol

 

[Where's Bruce?]

When I say I dislike the "Texas way" it's because they are not about the hunt, they are all about the coin. The guide wanted 150% of the going rate because I wanted to bow hunt and he was gonna have to get out of the vehicle and actually hike, perhaps even help pack out a nilgai. I said okay. Then he said i should shoot any nilgai I get close too and if I want to, shoot a second one with my rifle for $1880. more. If I wanted accommodations, the rate was $175 per night, with a one time $45 cleaning fee, and a 13% state tax.
With all fees, accommodations for 7 days and 2 bulls the total was $9,254.25 for the week. Still I said okay because I was getting the hunt I WANTED. Forget that the cost now is getting close to that of an actual SA hunt (which I am now researching) and I was being charged considerably more solely because I wanted to bow hunt spot & stalk instead of being driven around all day. The guide replaced me with 8 rifle hunters because the company that owns the property values dead nilgai and the fees associated with them more than they value actual hunting. It was a pay-to-play mentality kinda like those high fence guys...the animals were being sold...not the hunt. That's the "Texas way" I guess and yeah...I do look down on it. I would not require a surcharge for a bow hunter and hesitate to book bow hunters because they are less likely to kill an animal. I've been guided on hunts that did not involve a kill, so what? In the end I was unable to get the hunt I wanted and I have sour grapes about the abrupt way it went down. The guide actually told me ..."they (property owners) treat it like product business rather than a service." With 4 days of travel (round trip) I was gonna around 10K...now I'm not. Maybe I dodged the bullet. Opinions vary. Namibia is looking better than Texas.

 

[MTElkChaser]

When I say I dislike the "Texas way" it's because they are not about the hunt, they are all about the coin. The guide wanted 150% of the going rate because I wanted to bow hunt and he was gonna have to get out of the vehicle and actually hike, perhaps even help pack out a nilgai. I said okay. Then he said i should shoot any nilgai I get close too and if I want to, shoot a second one with my rifle for $1880. more. If I wanted accommodations, the rate was $175 per night, with a one time $45 cleaning fee, and a 13% state tax.
With all fees, accommodations for 7 days and 2 bulls the total was $9,254.25 for the week. Still I said okay because I was getting the hunt I WANTED. Forget that the cost now is getting close to that of an actual SA hunt (which I am now researching) and I was being charged considerably more solely because I wanted to bow hunt spot & stalk instead of being driven around all day. The guide replaced me with 8 rifle hunters because the company that owns the property values dead nilgai and the fees associated with them more than they value actual hunting. It was a pay-to-play mentality kinda like those high fence guys...the animals were being sold...not the hunt. That's the "Texas way" I guess and yeah...I do look down on it. I would not require a surcharge for a bow hunter and hesitate to book bow hunters because they are less likely to kill an animal. I've been guided on hunts that did not involve a kill, so what? In the end I was unable to get the hunt I wanted and I have sour grapes about the abrupt way it went down. With 4 days of travel (round trip) I was gonna around 10K...now I'm not. Maybe I dodged the bullet. Opinions vary. Namibia is looking better than Texas.

I’m not so sure that‘s the “Texas Way” as much as it is that particular “Private Corporate Ranch‘s Way”.

What’s the name of the Ranch? Who’s the Outfitter? We’d alll like to know.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I'm not out to trash the guide, the cancellation apparently came from the company controlling access to the Kenedy Trust Wildlife Sanctuary.

 

[rtp]

When I say I dislike the "Texas way" it's because they are not about the hunt, they are all about the coin. The guide wanted 150% of the going rate because I wanted to bow hunt and he was gonna have to get out of the vehicle and actually hike, perhaps even help pack out a nilgai. I said okay. Then he said i should shoot any nilgai I get close too and if I want to, shoot a second one with my rifle for $1880. more. If I wanted accommodations, the rate was $175 per night, with a one time $45 cleaning fee, and a 13% state tax.
With all fees, accommodations for 7 days and 2 bulls the total was $9,254.25 for the week. Still I said okay because I was getting the hunt I WANTED. Forget that the cost now is getting close to that of an actual SA hunt (which I am now researching) and I was being charged considerably more solely because I wanted to bow hunt spot & stalk instead of being driven around all day. The guide replaced me with 8 rifle hunters because the company that owns the property values dead nilgai and the fees associated with them more than they value actual hunting. It was a pay-to-play mentality kinda like those high fence guys...the animals were being sold...not the hunt. That's the "Texas way" I guess and yeah...I do look down on it. I would not require a surcharge for a bow hunter and hesitate to book bow hunters because they are less likely to kill an animal. I've been guided on hunts that did not involve a kill, so what? In the end I was unable to get the hunt I wanted and I have sour grapes about the abrupt way it went down. The guide actually told me ..."they (property owners) treat it like product business rather than a service." With 4 days of travel (round trip) I was gonna around 10K...now I'm not. Maybe I dodged the bullet. Opinions vary. Namibia is looking better than Texas.

So Bruce, for never hunting in Texas you sure paint with a broad brush. When you say you were replaced by 8 gun hunters are you saying you sent in your deposit for your hunt only to be kicked to the curb? If so, are they refunding you back your deposit? If not, how could you be replaced when you never had the hunt booked to begin with?

 

[Where's Bruce?]

After committing to the guide in writing and requesting a contract, he never responded until the following week to tell me I was bumped. But I see the issue more clearly now...I was trying to book a hunt and they were only interested in booking harvests. It's different down there.

 

[MTElkChaser]

I'm not out to trash the guide, the cancellation apparently came from the company controlling access to the Kenedy Trust Wildlife Sanctuary.

This Ranch??

https://kenedy.org/kenedy-ranch/

You obviously don’t know anything about this Family and the millions they donate in conservation funds for hunting and fishing in Texas every year. You‘re slandering them and painting them to be horrible people when it’s the exact opposite.

I’d go back and question the Outfitter before I’d drag this Texas Ranching Family through the mud.

That “Company” that controls the access to this ranch land is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation ...

 

[Jaker_cc]

This Ranch??

https://kenedy.org/kenedy-ranch/

You obviously don’t know anything about this Family and the millions they donate in conservation funds for hunting and fishing in Texas every year. You‘re slandering them and painting them to be horrible people when it’s the exact opposite.

I’d go back and question the Outfitter before I’d drag this Texas Ranching Family through the mud.

That “Company” that controls the access to this ranch land is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation ...

He doesn’t care about any of that, and on another forum he admitted to offering the guide 50% on top of the price of the hunt to be able to hunt spot and stalk with his recurve after the guide had hesitations. Now he’s saying he was charged 150%..... he never signed a contract or put down a deposit. He never had anything booked. He’s just butt hurt that he got told no is all.

And as far as that ranch just wanting your fees, that is laughable. They are rolling in the money and have been forever. The outfitter has that place leased because he can make the hunting operation run smoothly within the guidelines set by the board. He doesn’t need problems, that’s why you didn’t get the hunt booked.

 

[MTElkChaser]

He doesn’t care about any of that, and on another forum he admitted to offering the guide 50% on top of the price of the hunt to be able to hunt spot and stalk with his recurve after the guide had hesitations. Now he’s saying he was charged 150%..... he never signed a contract or put down a deposit. He never had anything booked. He’s just butt hurt that he got told no is all.

And as far as that ranch just wanting your fees, that is laughable. They are rolling in the money and have been forever. The outfitter has that place leased because he can make the hunting operation run smoothly within the guidelines set by the board. He doesn’t need problems, that’s why you didn’t get the hunt booked.

The Kenedy Family also donated the 21,700 acres of the Bahai Grande Unit to the State of Texas that I drew my Nilgai Archery Hunt at - and it cost me a whopping $83 for the entire hunt ... Yep, greedy Corporate Ranch my ass.