South Texas Nilgai hunt

[shootist~]

I'll be hunting the Kenedy ranch next month. I'm taking a 338 WM with 210 Barnes TTSX. My understanding is it's spot and stalk. They have a preference for Barnes bullets (plus some other premiums).

The below was Included with an informational note from my outfitter - LOMAS CHICAS OUTFITTERS:

When hunting Nilgai, one will want to use a premium bullet. All copper preferably. We have had very good luck with the Barnes Vor-TX ammo or if loading your own, then load the TTSX or LRX bullets. The Berger “HYBRID TARGET” works well also. Federal Premium with the gold tip has proven to be good as well as the Terminal Ascent.
Of course, any round and probably any caliber will take a Nilgai with placing the shot in the perfect place. But we have found that even with the 6.5 calibers and using the Barnes TTSX or LRX bullets that the bullet will go through both shoulders on the fully matured bulls.
The New Hornady CX round may prove to be a good bullet also.
It’s our believe for instance, if using the 375 HH round or one like it. That you may want to drop to a 235-250 grain bullet in order to get more velocity. We think that velocity is the ticket for these very tough critters. They have a will to live like no other.
We do not chase or shoot at the animals while running.
We do not offer any bow hunts.

 

[steve white]

Might be the perfect way for me to use some 250 gr A-frames in 375 that I just happen to have on hand. Besides, y'all are about to make me want to schedule a hunt! As an exotic, can they be hunted year round? Also, the King Ranch hunts begin pricing at 1 day hunt. Is it realistic to think a 1 day hunt will be sufficient to score?

 

[Zinz]

Had to go to the "way-back machine" to find this picture...can't believe how long ago this was. The wind was blowing pretty hard that morning and made stalking pretty easy. We got within about 70 yards and the .416RM 400gr Barnes TSX took him quartering away, entering behind the left shoulder and exiting the point of the right shoulder. The King Ranch guide was watching closely through his binos, "DAMN! that bull just rippled when he got hit!" The bull ran maybe 20 yards and down.

The hunt is a ton of fun and the King Ranch has so many huge whitetails, you see those as well. The guides told us, "if it's standing there, it's a whitetail, if it's running, it's a Nilgai". I was fortunate and got a pretty good bull.

The blue bulls make for impressive taxidermy, too.

Ed Z

 

[Altitude sickness]

These guys have been on my wish list for 30 years. How many days on average does it take to be successful

 

[Red Leg]

King Ranch is a wonderful setting in which to experience a nilgai hunt. Mine have all been taken with either 300 Win Mag or 318 WR. Both have worked great. Just shoot them where you would any true antelope - somewhat lower and more forward than a deer. However, If I were to suggest the perfect rifle, it would be hard to improve on a 338 Win Mag and a 250 gr premium bullet.

As long as he is up and visible hit him a second even third time. If he goes very far in that grass and brush, he simply won’t be found. Sadly San trackers are very rare in South Texas.

 

[Zinz]

These guys have been on my wish list for 30 years. How many days on average does it take to be successful

We pulled into the Norias Pasture at about 7:00AM. My friend Buddy had hunted them many times and just had that luck that follows him everywhere. As we pulled in the gate he told the guides, “we’ll be done by 9:00AM”. The one guide looked at him…”you ain’t never done this, have you???”

We had two bulls in the truck about 9:30AM


…your mileage may vary, but 1 day should suffice with a knowledgeable guide.

Ed

 

[Altitude sickness]

King Ranch is a wonderful setting in which to experience a nilgai hunt. Mine have all been taken with either 300 Win Mag or 318 WR. Both have worked great. Just shoot them where you would any true antelope - somewhat lower and more forward than a deer. However, If I were to suggest the perfect rifle, it would be hard to improve on a 338 Win Mag and a 250 gr premium bullet.

As long as he is up and visible hit him a second even third time. If he goes very far in that grass and brush, he simply won’t be found. Sadly San trackers are very rare in South Texas.

They don’t use blood tracking dogs on them ?

 

[Throwback]

We pulled into the Norias Pasture at about 7:00AM. My friend Buddy had hunted them many times and just had that luck that follows him everywhere. As we pulled in the gate he told the guides, “we’ll be done by 9:00AM”. The one guide looked at him…”you ain’t never done this, have you???”

We had two bulls in the truck about 9:30AM


…your mileage may vary, but 1 day should suffice with a knowledgeable guide.

Ed

I had a similar experience. We hunted in the Norias pasture too. Had 2 days planned for two Nilgai. We got both on Day 1 by mid afternoon. We ended up driving out right before dark and headed home.

 

[DPHunter4570]

This is something I've been thinking about doing, this thread may have sealed it.

 

[Green Chile]

1 day is usually enough. Ask them about that when you book the hunt. They told me 1 day is normally enough. My friend wounded and lost his and got a 2nd one on the same day.

 

[kdenn]

Bought auction hunt at SCI chapter for OX ranch nilgai. They don’t stay still long, don’t let you get very close but your experience might be different. Shot mine at 360 yards with 300PRC with 195 gr Hammer bullet. Dropped him. The meat is delicious like everyone says. Good luck.

 

[Hunt anything]

The ranch I hunted required a .300 WM for nilgai.
If you finish early take time to take care of the meat which to me is on par with eland. Do some birding and chase a javalina with a handgun or bow . In South Texas hogs are always an option as well.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Wildlife Systems is another large outfitter that offers nilgai hunts. I know several guys in the Houston area that hunted both nilgai and aoudad with Wildlife Systems and spoke highly of them.

Nilgai Antelope - Wildlife Systems Inc

Nilgai Antelope Texas is home to more nilgai antelope than their native country of India. Originally stocked on the King Ranch in the 1930’s, these sporty game animals quickly took hold and are currently on a handful of large private properties in lower South Texas. The majority of Texas’ nilgai...

www.wildlifesystems.com

 

[Hunt anything]

Wildlife systems is who I hunted with on the H Yutiria ranch that abuts up to the King ranch.

 

[Red Leg]

They don’t use blood tracking dogs on them ?

Not on any of my hunts.

 

[Green Chile]

Not on any of my hunts.

I also have not seen dogs used. We had some rough tracking on one of them and could have used it.

 

[dchum]

They don’t use blood tracking dogs on them ?

We have had good luck with blue Lacey’s. They are the state dog of Texas too. Black mouth curs are a good breed as well. I have used them both to recover Nilgai as well. Baying them while still on their feet.