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.