Nilgai hunt

[flatwater bill]

Not yet. Pesky little problem called Work, has gotten in the way of calling. I know what rifle I want to use, but to list it here openly is asking for criticism......I am just after a hunt and a meat Nilgai, probably a cow I guess..............still open to any suggestion................FW Bill

 

[SETH RINGER]

Not yet. Pesky little problem called Work, has gotten in the way of calling. I know what rifle I want to use, but to list it here openly is asking for criticism......I am just after a hunt and a meat Nilgai, probably a cow I guess..............still open to any suggestion................FW Bill

I SHOT MY FIRST ONE WITH A 45-70

 

[375Fox]

Bergers...actually it's 195 grains and a 1:8 twist. Shoots 1/4 MOA way out there if I can call the wind right.

Looking at wildlife systems website on nilgai under guns and gear, they actually specifically list Bergers as not allowed on their nilgai hunts.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I know what rifle I want to use, but to list it here openly is asking for criticism.....

Are you coming out of the gun closet with a 6.5 CM????

 

[Cucuy]

Another vote for King Ranch. I hunted there twice a few years back. Great time! They are less expensive than most places and free range.

 

[Green Chile]

One positive thing about the King Ranch...there was a bad winter storm that killed a lot of nilgai before we hunted there. The ranch biologist called me and said you can come but I would rather you come later to see more nilgai. He said they lost 40% of the nilgai in the winter storm. So we rescheduled to the next year and while they were still rebuilding numbers, it had gotten a little better. That was nice to be given a heads up and option to rebook at no charge.

 

[wesheltonj]

Let me also suggest that you put in for one thru the TPWD public hunt drawing. If you happen to be drawn you have a cheap hunt on one of the two areas and if not drawn, pay an outfitter.

 

[WAB]

Looking at wildlife systems website on nilgai under guns and gear, they actually specifically list Bergers as not allowed on their nilgai hunts.

Understandable, probably not the ultimate bullet design for deep penetration on a heavy and heavily constructed animal.

 

[Green Chile]

I would use a different bullet next time and a heavier caliber as well after taking my nilgai apart and seeing it for myself. If he wouldn't have run behind the Mott we would have seen him fall and walk right up to him. My buddy shot his with a 9.3x62 and A-frame losing his nilgai. It's still about bullet placement as always.

 

[flatwater bill]

@375 Ruger Fan Don't ask, don't tell. But I'm after a meat hunt not a trophy bull, so that should help. I guess I could upgrade a little on the cartridge......FWB

 

[Inline6]

@375 Ruger Fan Don't ask, don't tell. But I'm after a meat hunt not a trophy bull, so that should help. I guess I could upgrade a little on the cartridge......FWB

Shot placement is key, they do not stay still for long, at least on the hunts we have been apart of.

 

[Connor Baumgarten]

McAllen Texas. You can hunt free range Nilgai on public land and you can hunt them at night because their nocturnal animals. My guides name was Tony, I didn’t set up the hunt I went on so I don’t know his information but if you can find him he’s very experienced at hunting Nilgai and he’s, I recommend him

 

[Red Leg]

Another reason a lot of these initial shots at Nilgai are muffed, is because they are often the first large animal that many clients have ever taken other than whitetail. Toss in the usual 300 Win Mag minimum caliber requirement which many of those same clients are using for the first time, the slightly different anatomy of a true antelope, and the difficulty of trying to track a wounded one in waist-high coastal grass and oak motes, and I frankly am surprised more are not lost.

Wildebeest is probably the best anatomical parallel I can think of with one major difference. The vast majority of free range Nilgai bulls will not be seen staring at you phlegmatically at 100 yards as the cruiser rolls past. The typical Nilgai will be seen first at three hundred yards as he slips into fourth gear while looking at you over his shoulder. Unless potting one through a thermal or shooting one behind a fence in the Hill Country, they are a magnificent and challenging game animal.

My King Ranch guides with my best coastal Nilgai. They are not a whitetail. Also note the high comb along the top of the backbone which, like a wildebeest, throws off the vertical aiming point.

 

[John Wasmuth]

….

 

[Derek049]

300 Win Mag Barnes VOR TX 180 Grains at 260 yards quartered away downed him after he walked about 10 yards. I'm going to be honest I think quartered away or head on shots just under the neck bell are the best on these animals. I've heard horror stories, and they're always broadside shots. There is a neck shot where the shoulder meets the neck that the guys down here in south Texas will tell you shuts the lights off. Something to talk over with your guide.

 

[flatwater bill]

Tomorrow I start making calls to arrange this. I'm going to start with King Ranch and call Texas Outfitters and Guides Assoc. I will call Lomas Chicas and look at Texas Hunting Forum. Gonna try to contact Wildlifesystems as well. I will post the result. Not sure if summer is the right time to hunt them, but I will find that out too.......FWB

 

[Green Chile]

I hunted them early in the year...Jan or Feb.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I hunted in November and it was hot then. Can’t imagine hunting in the summer time.

 

[Inline6]

Tomorrow I start making calls to arrange this. I'm going to start with King Ranch and call Texas Outfitters and Guides Assoc. I will call Lomas Chicas and look at Texas Hunting Forum. Gonna try to contact Wildlifesystems as well. I will post the result. Not sure if summer is the right time to hunt them, but I will find that out too.......FWB

Summer would not be my first choice. 1 heat is bad here like triple digits. 2 snake boots are a must, that much hotter. 3 ticks, they are thick. 4 meat hunt, would not want anything to spoil.

These are off the top, want you to know what you are getting into before you get to deep.

 

[Connor Baumgarten]

I hunted in November and it was hot then. Can’t imagine hunting in the summer time.

Lots of mosquitoes, after my hunt my left hand was completely swollen