South Texas Nilgai hunt

[TaylorM456]

Thank you for all the helpful info. You guys have me even more excited for this hunt. What kind of boots/shoes do you recommend for there in Feb? I have my Obos hiking boots I wore in SA for my plains game hunt. I was leaning towards my light weight Lacrosse snake boots.

 

[Green Chile]

Lightweight hikers are great. There are areas of loose sand and sand dunes near the coast. I used gaiters to keep the sand and stickers out.

 

[dchum]

Thank you for all the helpful info. You guys have me even more excited for this hunt. What kind of boots/shoes do you recommend for there in Feb? I have my Obos hiking boots I wore in SA for my plains game hunt. I was leaning towards my light weight Lacrosse snake boots.

Snake boots are always safe. Killed a small rattle snake today on a hunt

 

[Tex .416]

If you have snake boots, wear them!

I am in the field in South Texas frequently both for hunting and for my work for ranches. You’ll walk by twenty snakes in the grass on a trail, brush, or cactus for each one seen in the open.

They hide on the edge of grass and brush lines waiting to ambush rodents and other prey. In the grass or brush, the rattlesnakes are close to invisible in the brush. Here is one I videoed last year. Watch as it goes back into the brush. I happened to notice its head as we drove by, so stopped to watch it.

Here is another:

Here is a classic rattle that causes an instant blood pressure spike. They can strike out 4’ - 6’ depending on the size, but will not unless provoked or stepped on. If you step on one, you will want to have snake boots on or even chaps. Also watch up too as they climb up off the ground to catch birds and lizards. I have seen one up high in a mesquite tree. Overall, stepping on them is the only really dangerous scenario. Usually the first guy in a line steps on it and number two in the line has all the excitement.

 

[Tex .416]

One other reason to wear snake boots is for protection from the thorn brush and cactus needles. Heavy thick jeans are helpful.

 

[CamoManJ]

Nilgai hunting is one of my best experiences stateside, great memories and will definitely do it again. I recommend the South Texas Nilgai hunt as a must do bucket list item for all hunters. I shot mine from an elevated blind on a small private ranch across the highway from the King & towards the coastline. 75 yard shot with a 300 WSM using Fed Prem 165 TSX, dropped it right there. It got up, made a second shot, spined it & it stayed down. Tough beast for sure, my bullets didn’t exit. It’s very true what has been mentioned many times…I’ve never hunted any other animal that didn’t want to die as much as Nilgai. Try skinning one yourself, it was an eye opener, helluva chore. Next time, I’d like to take one with a 458 B&M and hammer the crap out of one & someone else will process it!

 

[Trophyhunter01]

I like my snake boots in that country where the grass is usually knee high. I had to dig into and old drive for this pic I use in my avatar from 2007 of the best Nilgai I have taken. They are fun to hunt on the King Ranch or the surrounding properties. The nilgai have migrated west of hwy 77 and growing their footprint.

 

[Green Chile]

That’s a good bull! What rifle, bullet and distance?

 

[Trophyhunter01]

Remington 700 Sendero, 300 RUM, 180 grain bonded bullet, about 175 yards off short sticks sitting, about 3’ in length. I like the short sticks in country where you can use them. Sit down, lock in that right elbow, makes a solid platform.

 

[rafter3]

If you have snake boots, wear them!

I am in the field in South Texas frequently both for hunting and for my work for ranches. You’ll walk by twenty snakes in the grass on a trail, brush, or cactus for each one seen in the open.

They hide on the edge of grass and brush lines waiting to ambush rodents and other prey. In the grass or brush, the rattlesnakes are close to invisible in the brush. Here is one I videoed last year. Watch as it goes back into the brush. I happened to notice its head as we drove by, so stopped to watch it.

Here is another:

Here is a classic rattle that causes an instant blood pressure spike. They can strike out 4’ - 6’ depending on the size, but will not unless provoked or stepped on. If you step on one, you will want to have snake boots on or even chaps. Also watch up too as they climb up off the ground to catch birds and lizards. I have seen one up high in a mesquite tree. Overall, stepping on them is the only really dangerous scenario. Usually the first guy in a line steps on it and number two in the line has all the excitement.

I agree, I hunt these guys in Jan-March and always see a snake at some point and the grass is tall. Snake boots also protects against thorns.

 

[dchum]

Also time of year can really help you hunt if you are after a mature bull. Just like Kudu hunting!

Late December and all of January should make it a little easier then say November.

Big black bulls are starting to tend cows and move a lot more during day time. Love is in the air!

 

[TXhunter65]

King Ranch 2023, 28 Nosler, 195 grain Berger, shot was maybe 100 yards runing left to right.

 

[Hunt anything]

In the latest Sports Afield there is a pretty comprehensive article on hunting nilgai. It’s written by Craig Boddington, many enjoy his writings and some don’t. I happen to find it very informative.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I've posted these photos on others threads discussing nilgai, but never let the opportunity to post them again go to waste.

My first nilgai in 2009

Second nilgai, from a few years later, was very good, I think the horns measured a bit over 9 inches. I mounted this one.

A nice shoulder mount and people typically ask, "What is that?"

 

[Green Chile]

Awesome. That 2nd one is killer.

 

[shootist~]

I'm thinking of adding a cow to my hunt and donating the bull to local food bank (assuming I get one of course). Freezer space is limited.

Thoughts?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

King Ranch 2023, 28 Nosler, 195 grain Berger, shot was maybe 100 yards runing left to right.
View attachment 653918

The left to right crossing nilgai shot is one of the most difficult to execute.
Well done!

 

[dchum]

I'm thinking of adding a cow to my hunt and donating the bull to local food bank (assuming I get one of course). Freezer space is limited.

Thoughts?

In my experience the bulls and cows really don’t taste much different. Even old and young, rut no rut,

They are all clean and nice red meat.

And check with local processor and or food bank about accepting a whole Nilgai / donations

It’s a shame but many turn down and local processors will no longer do donations later in the year ect ect

 

[PARA45]

Boy, all this talk about hunting Nilgai has me all excited. I may have to figure out how to do one of these hunts.

Those of you who have hunted them and are out of state or had to travel. How did you do with the processing of the Nilgai? Did you have them shipped to you, did you quarter it, and had someone local process the meat? Thank you!

 

[Green Chile]

It depends on how much time you have to stay in the area. King Ranch is about 7+ hours from my place. We took 2 big coolers and quartered 2 nilgai and reduced them into the coolers. I processed my own and my friend had his processed by someone else back home. I had mine on the smoker the next day trying some ribs.