The Nilgai (Boselaphus Tragocamelus), an Antelope native to India that is hunted for trophies, can now be hunted in Texas with Texas Hunt Lodge. The majority of the hunts at 5CR are by safari, however, Axis, Fallow and Blackbuck are also hunted from blinds. HISTORY OF THE NILGAI ANTELOPE IN TEXAS In 1930 a few Nilgai were turned loose on the King Ranch & in 1941 another small herd was released onto the Norias Division. Nilgai have very keen eyesight, remarkable hearing, and an eerie sense of approaching danger. They are creatures that are constantly moving, as well. The Nilgai Antelope is a large antelope (male’s average 500 lbs) with short, sharp horns. Have that thrilling hunting adventure you have long been yearning for. Safari-style is done from high-racked 4×4 trucks driving slowly into the wind, looking for bulls at distance, unaware of any presence. In Asia, they eat mainly woody plants. Nilgai hunting may be one of the most exciting adventures you can embark upon. H. YTURRIA RANCH $3,400. A.S. GAGE RANCH - $4,300 . If you’re interested in a hunt that is guaranteed to make your heart race with excitement, 303 Ranch Outfitters is the choice for you. Many people with cholesterol problems choose to include nilgai meat in their diet because it has a very low cholesterol count. They offer an extremely challenging hunt thanks to their keen sense of smell, great hearing, and impressive vision Our Nilgai hunts are fair chase on over 18,000 acres of Texas Hill Country! A native of … Nilgai can be very challenging to hunt. Check your firepower. Our best selling game meat is South Texas Antelope. S TUMBERG RANCH. Females and young animals are paler brown. NILGAI ANTELOPE. Optimal calibers like .338 – .375 are perfect. Bring your "A" game for this exciting trophy hunt. This first pair did not yield any offspring, so a decision was made to obtain 5 bulls and 7 cows from the San Diego Zoological Garden. Email subscriber privacy policy PBGSO offers some of the finest pronghorn hunts in Texas We have access to over 50,000 acres of prime Antelope hunting in The Texas Panhandle near Dalhart Texas. Most important of all, prepare to fill your freezer with exquisite Nilgai meat for you to enjoy if you are successful! Home to a huge number of whitetail deer, Javelina and Rio Grande turkeys, and, of course, Nilgai antelope. The Nilgai Antelope is a challenge to hunt. Content of this site copyright Texas Parks and Wildlife Department unless otherwise noted. They have incredible sense of smell and eyesight. More often than not, they will run after being hit, and, boy, can they run! About this hunt We offer the Nilgai hunts from December thru May Because of the huge numbers of Trophy Nilgai on the Ranch the Trophy Nilgai hunts are one day hunts, but I schedule them for two days just in case we need the extra day due to weather or unforeseen problems. Nilgai Hunting Regulations: Since Nilgai are considered an introduced/non-native invasive species, there is no bag limit or season on their hunting. Home to a huge number of whitetail deer, Javelina and Rio Grande turkeys, and, of course, Nilgai antelope. Most successful Nilgai hunts are done either safari style or spot and stalk. Only the males bear horns, which are 6 to 10 inches in length, smooth, black, slightly curved either forwards or backward and quite sharp. any personal information to the agency. Only males possess horns, measuring anywhere between 5 and 10 inches long. They have a reputation for being extremely resilient and tough to put down. Children under 13 years of age must have a parent/guardian's consent before providing An exotic hunting adventure awaits you at 303 Ranch Outfitters with our Texas Nilgai Hunting trips. Hunting Nilgai in Texas is different from deer hunting. The same laws in regards to taking game from public roadways applies to Nilgai also. Another area where Nilgai can be vulnerable is where they relieve themselves. They stand with their legs about a yard apart, their rumps lowered, and their tails almost vertical. Nilgai Antelope hail from southeast Asia and can top the scales at 700 lbs. Over 85% of the Nilgai taken are SCI Record Book. They are frequently tagged as “devil horns.”. Nilgai Antelope Hunting in Texas I was very fortunate in 1995 when I was invited on a deer hunt at King Ranch in South Texas. In 1929, 12 nilgai antelope were released on King Ranch. Kill ratio is 100% if you wound an animal he’s counted as your trophy. For the weeks leading up to the trip, I had nothing but whitetail bucks on my mind – large ones oozing from the dense brush country. Other Hunts . nilgai bull hunt $2300 nilgai bull hunt $2300 nilgai bull hunt $2300 nilgai bull hunt $2300 The animal’s band together in three distinct kinds of groups: one or two females with young calves, three to six adult and yearling females with calves, and all-male groups with two to 18 members. The cow’s gestation period is from 240-258 days and usually produces twins or triplets. Having plenty of guns is important, and many Nilgai hunting operations have a minimum caliber requirement of a .300 magnum. Mailing Address: 6400 Hwy 39 Hunt, Texas 78024. p. 830.640.3200 e. businessoffice@lazyckranch.com We make your dream hunt a reality, call our office today. Nilgai antelope can present a challenging and fun hunting experience, as they very skittish, and their keen eyesight is atop an elongated neck, making it difficult to approach them without being spotted. Note: Big Time Texas Hunts entries will be available again starting May 15, 2021. King Ranch first acquired nilgai brood stock principally from the San Diego Zoological Garden in the late 1920s. It’s also a popular place to get a chance at hunting for more exotic species. In Texas, they eat mesquite, oak, partridge peas, croton, nightshade, and a variety of grasses. Manage My Subscriptions, archive  Expect to cover some territory and expect to take long shots, as well. | See temporary closures and business changes, Texas Farm and Ranch Land Conservation Program. Very rarely will a shot drop them in their tracks, unless it’s a spine shot or brain shot. Hunting nilgai is addicting if you appreciate "the Hunt". Many of our customers who have hunted in Africa compare nilgai to cape buffalo in difficulty to kill. Extremely elusive and weighing up to 700 pounds, the Nilgai is not only difficult to hunt, but even tougher to bring down. Today, there are over 12,000 nilgai on King Ranch’s Norias division, which is a popular pursuit for any hunter. While some people think Nilgai deer, they are antelope and have adapted to Texas from their native India. The Nilgai is active mainly during the day. Nilgai bulls are challenging to hunt and delicious to eat. We offer some of the largest Nilgai bucks in South Texas! Nilgai, also known as blue bull origins from Asia. They have been clocked at a top speed of 29 mph. It is also a must to have well-constructed bullets that provide adequate bullet expansion, at the same time, retaining most of the bullet mass. The thrill of the hunt and the promise of its exceptional-tasting meat are more than enough reason to join a Nilgai hunt. Trophy size nilgai antelope bulls will normally sport vertically oriented horns measuring 8.5” – 10” in length. It is quite possible to take a couple of hundred pounds of meat off a good-sized bull. Have thick hides and leave little to no blood trail. A.S. GAGE RANCH. Location of Our Texas Nilgai Antelope Hunting Our Nilgai antelope hunting takes place on two historic properties that are located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley Region of deep South Texas. Origin: Nilgai Antelope are native to India and were introduced to South Texas in the 1940s.. Characteristics: Nilgai are the largest of the Indian antelope and are challenging to hunt due to there keen senses.Nilgai meat that has been compared to a leaner version of beef. These innate characteristics of the Nilgai make it an animal that is as challenging and rewarding to hunt as any exotic animal out there. The horns are usually found in males only and average in 6-8 inches in length. Texas Nilgai Hunting An exotic hunting adventure awaits you at 303 Ranch Outfitters with our Texas Nilgai Hunting trips. Patience is a big key to success. Enjoy a challenging free-range hunt in south Texas and be rewarded with some of the best wild game meat you will ever have. Nilgai . Price: $4,000 They can live up to 20 years in the wild. Operations like King Ranch began offering hunting packages to trophy hunters, which can require a special five-day exotic hunting license. Nilgai Hunting Prized for its hog and ram hunting opportunities, 4 Amigos Ranch is one of the most popular places to hunt in South Texas. Nilgai bulls are challenging to hunt and delicious to eat. The maximum weight recorded is 679 lb. Bulls mature earlier, around 2 ½ years of age, but do not compete with other males until about 4-5 years of age. Note: Big Time Texas Hunts entries will be available again starting May 15, 2021. Though generally quiet, Nilgai has been reported to make short guttural grunts when alarmed, and females to make clicking noises when nursing young. Physical Address: 563 Bobby Shelton Ranch Rd Mountain Home, Texas 78058. It is located south of the King ranch, in both Kennedy & Willacy County’s. They were originally introduced to the King Ranch in the 1930's by a family member who decided that South Texas … Benefit from the expertise of professional guides throughout all hunts. Your contact information is used to deliver requested updates or to access your subscriber preferences. We offer you over 2,000 acres of terrain. Nilgai, also known as Blue Bull, is the largest antelope in Asia! The Nilgai, or Blue Indian Antelope, has proliferated in South Texas. Native to India these huge bovid can weigh over 700 pounds, and were first introduced into Texas back in the 1930s by the King Ranch. "Nilgai" means "blue bull" in certain East Indian dialects. NILGAI Hunting. We offer you over 2,000 acres of terrain. La India Ranch in Falfurrias, Texas offers one and two day guided Nilgai hunts for small groups. The origin of Nilgai comes from Hindi, the language of India, and means blue bull. Another hunting option is to hunt Nilgai during their rut when, like most animals, they become less concerned with caution. Males and females are usually separated, with bulls joining the cows only during the breeding season. The meat is high on the list of desirable game meat. Spot-and-stalk hunting is usually done in and around feeding and watering areas. Although the males are gray to brownish gray, as they approach maturity, they sure enough look blue. These animals are officially named the "nilgai" antelope and originate in India and Nepal. According to a study conducted in 2005, the population of nilgai had increased to an estimated 38,000 found in free roaming populations and high-fenced game enclosures across 25 Texas counties and in five Mexican states. Axis Deer (Chital) Axis deer are still the undisputed tastiest exotic wild game in Texas. Alarmed juveniles below 5 months, give out a coughing roar that lasts half a second but can be heard by herds less than 1,600 ft away. COMBS RANCH AOUDAD SHEEP - 400,000 Acres. The very pretty females and their brood are brown to orange or yellowish brown. Nilgai typically stands between 3.3–4.9 ft at the shoulder, and the head-and-body length is usually between 5.6–6.9 ft. The adult males tend to be a darker bluish grey coloration, which also gives them their other name, “blue bull.” The legs are black. FREE RANGE TEXAS ELK. Basically, their range today is the King Ranch and most contiguous ranches. Pronghorn Hunts In Texas. Females are lighter, weighing 220–470 lbs. Mature Nilgai bulls are difficult to bring down. This area is home to an incredible amount of Nilgai Antelope, Whitetail Deer, Javelina and Rio Grande Turkeys. They prefer areas with short bushes and scattered trees in scrub forests and grassy plains, although they can adapt to a variety of habitats. Females can conceive as early as 18 months of age, but only a few mate before 3 years of age. You can hunt them whenever you want so long as you have a valid hunting license. From this nucleus the Nilgai have prospered and spread. E-Newsletter Archive. BOOK NOW This is an animal, which is genetically built for the mountains. Trophy Exotic Hunts in South Texas In addition to our world-class Elk bulls, 5CR is also home to trophy Axis deer, Fallow deer, Blackbuck Antelope, Scimitar-Horned Oryx, Gemsbok, and Nilgai. and cookie statement. Don’t forget your Texas hunting license if you are a resident, and for non-residents, a 5-day special hunting license is required. 2X1 GUIDE $5,300 1X1 GUIDE $5,800 PRONGHORN ANTELOPE. Cow $2,000. Enjoy complimentary food and 3-nights lodging during the 2.5 day hunt. Season: Year round. To ensure a successful hunt, here are a few points for you to consider when preparing: The Texas government categorizes Nilgai as exotic, meaning that there is no closed season, no bag limit, and no possession limit on the animal. They are grazers and browsers, with grass as the main source of their diet. By the 1990s, hunters saw nilgai, the meat of which is known as “Texas antelope,” as an opportunity. Nilgai are challenging to hunt, given their impressive eyesight, hearing, and sense of smell. Nilgai antelope were first brought to Texas in the 1920s, primarily as a gift to Caesar Kleberg of the King Ranch it being the custom of the time. Take your bull home skinned and quartered or choose to pay to have the meat commercially processed at a nearby facility. account_circle  The Nilgai hunt takes place on the historic H. Yturria Ranch near Raymondville in lower South Texas. Depending on Ranch $9,900-$10,500 DESERT MULE DEER . Fortunately not overrun with these animals, the Mariposa Ranch has healthy herds that roam freely. A column of pendant coarse hair hangs from the dewlap ridge below the white patch. Nonetheless we press on, staying one step behind the nilgai antelope – The Blue Bull of South Texas. Females and juveniles are orange to tawny in color, while adult males have a bluish-grey coat. The animal’s hide is extra thick, not unlike that found on wild boar. They will remain in this position for around 10 seconds after finishing relieving themselves, making for an easy target. Trophy Fee: $3,000. The Nilgai, or blue bull, is the largest Asian antelope and is native to the Indian subcontinent. Nilgai are one such game, and are one reason why big game hunters come from all over the country to our ranch. Mature females average 300 to 400 pounds while mature bulls will get close to 700 pounds. Practice shooting from a standing position, kneeling position, or from an adjustable tripod. Males weigh between 240–635 lbs. They typically herd in small groups of about 10-12 animals, but it is not uncommon to see larger groups of about 20-50. Nilgai are big animals. South Texas is home to more free-range Nilgai antelope than their native country of India. Originally stocked on the King Ranch in the 1930s, these sporty game animals quickly took hold and are currently free ranging on a handful of large private properties in lower South Texas. It is a sturdy thin-legged antelope characterized by a sloping back, a deep neck with a white patch on the throat, a short crest of hair along the neck ending in a tuft, and white facial spots. Texas Nilgai Hunt Reservation You may hunt our Trophy Nilgai Antelope using any method you prefer, including Spot and Stalk, Bow Hunting, Rifle Hunting, Pistol Hunting, Safari Style, or from a Blind. Trophy Nilgai Hunt: $3,850 They usually do this on the same spot and behave in an unusual manner. They have a very muscular front to their body and are designed for running up mountains and jumping from rock to rock. Free Roaming Trophy Nilgai Hunting Info: The ranch is 15,000 acres of the best free roaming nilgai hunting in Texas. You are more likely to find success stalking to within range during this period as bulls have their attention on the cows. This breeding season usually occurs from November through to April. Nilgai Antelope Safari Nilgai Antelope hail from southeast Asia and can top the scales at 700 lbs. The pronghorns harvested in our pronghorn hunts in Texas will score on average from 65-85 B&C and some will make the B&C book. From those few animals back then, the Nilgai population in Texas is now up to more than 50,000. I offer Group and Corporate Rates. Practice makes perfect. Highly recommended are Nosler partitions, Barnes Triple-Shock, Swift A-Frames, Winchester Fail-Safe, Trophy Bonded Bear Claws, or Equivalent type bullets. Bring along a hunting guest who may fully participate in hunting activities. They were introduced to Texas in the 1920's. 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