Non stop action, Whitetails and Nilgai everywhere!! In their native land the bulls rarely get over 550 pounds but in Texas, where there is an abundance of food and the food takes a lot less work to get to, there have been reports of bulls well over 800 pounds. It is located south of the King ranch, in both Kennedy & Willacy County’s. Bulls do not maintain a fixed territory but defend a space around themselves. Public Hunt Information The Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge conducts seasonal firearm, shotgun Therefore, successful hunts almost always require a pack out. Mi-HUNT Interactive Map MiHUNT shows approximate boundaries of lands open to public hunting, including both public hunting land as well as private land open to the public for hunting. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You just have to forget all of the earlier deer work you did and focus on identifying up-to-the-minute bedding areas and travel routes. Off-range hunts are also available on public lands and success rates are high. Laguna Atascosa remains at the forefront of cattle fever tick eradication in the Lone Star State. Nilgai are native to India and Pakistan, but South Texas is home to more than 35,000 feral animals after a ranch brought them to the area in the 1950s. I also drew the Nilgai bahia grande hunt this year and am stoked to get out there. The public hunt catalog has the success rate and the number of hunters that applied for the hunts. Orange is not required on private land, but is encouraged. The drawings that have piqued the interest of hunters from across Texas now that hunts are drawn via TPWD are those for “blue bulls.”, “The nilgai hunts in particular have generated more and more interest, especially because nilgai are isolated to extreme South Texas,” De La Garza said. Nilgai are the hardest to hunt and the toughest to kill of any animal on the North American continent. Nilgai don’t do well in colder climates – prolonged hard freezes have been known to thin out the South Texas herd somewhat – but they are hearty animals that can do well across the scrub country. “Public-land deer adapt and adjust their patterns based on crop rotations and hunting pressure,” Scheffler stated. The first year we were able to get away from people "L&L Hunting Service has the best Nilgai hunt in the Texas!! Nilgai Hunting Season: Nilgai are an excellent species to hunt year round in Texas! The demand for our hunts has gotten bigger each year, so it’s a good thing for anyone who may be interested in entering our draws.”. While supply and demand have driven up the price somewhat on nilgai hunts in Texas, there do remain a number of public hunting opportunities that are a steal if you’re selected to hunt. Texas requires 400 square inches of fluorescent orange to be worn by all hunters when hunting on public hunting grounds. You have entered an incorrect email address! King Ranch is the premier hunting destination for whitetail deer, nilgai, turkey, feral hog, javelina, and other game. Nilgai, which can exceed six hundred pounds, are a large species of antelope native to India. © 2021, The Texas Outdoor Digest. Kleberg, who worked for his uncle Robert J. Kleberg in ranch operations before becoming ranch foreman on the famed Norias Division, is credited with starting the overall effort to preserve habitat and wildlife populations on the sprawling South Texas ranch. Public hunting opportunities. A truly big bull’s horns will only be roughly a foot in length. They have incredible sense of smell and eyesight. De La Garza noted that despite its immense overall size, the Refuge has relatively smaller parcels open to 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. A unique aspect of hunting many public lands is that foot traffic is often the only access method allowed. The ancestors of those critters that currently roam this country are as wild as can be. One Texas meat processor and retailer currently sells antelope meat at $11 per pound for burger and $30 per pound for loin rack. That includes nilgai hunts to help keep the population in check. “We’ve got about 7,000 acres over two tracts that are open to our hunts at the Refuge,” he said. Nilgai have similar characteristics to a number of other large antelope species as well as wild boars, making larger-caliber rifles an absolute necessity. Sooner or later you’re going to get beat to your spot. Nilgai segregate into male and female groups except during the breeding season, according to Sheffield. Here are 9 reasons why hunting public land is difficult and some tactics for a successful hunt. It is nice, very nice, to get out there and enjoy the experience, but =a harvest with a shotgun would have to be considered a success of monumental proportions. After a day or two on the bike seats only a few guys will be hunting more than 1 mile from the road. Across the country we are seeing early numbers roll in as far as hunting … There are exceptions (an assigned area on a national wildlife refuge for waterfowl hunting comes immediately to mind), but generally speaking, the early bird gets the spot. Public land hunting has been part of our collective outdoor heritage for a long time. In fact, there are currently free-ranging populations in Brooks, Cameron, Hidalgo, Kenedy, Kleberg and Willacy counties. Scoped, rifled barrel slug gun is a very capable platform up to 150 yards or so. Besides 50-plus wildlife management areas owned or operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, hunting is available on more than 70 tracts owned by the Texas General Land Office, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Bumping this up again (I think is the forum terminology). The most important is the challenge. The FWC cannot give permission to hunt on other lands. BuckTrader is home to a diverse selection of Nilgai available for sale. In the late 1800s, the cattle fever tick spread bovine babesiosis (also known as cattle fever) from Mexico to Virginia, resulting in huge economic losses in the United States due to cattle mortality. I didn't know there were Nilgai there. Nilgai hunting on Texas public lands has become crowded with opportunity and access being at an all-time high. FWC cooperatively manages public hunting on nearly 6 million acres in our WMA system. I offer Group and Corporate Rates. Most of the landscape that nilgai call home in South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley is wide open, with little native vegetation for cover, other than overgrown mesquite and cactus thickets and the occasional roll in the terrain. If you get drawn you'll have an opportunity to hunt public land that most never get to hunt. The meat is high on the list of desirable game meat. “People see where it says ‘unlimited nilgai’ on the hunt application and they get excited. Incorporating those guiding principles, hunting on public lands does not pose a threat to the wildlife populations and helps with sound management of wildlife. Can you say unlimited nilgai?! His work has been recognized by the Outdoor Writers Association of America and the Texas Outdoor Writers Association with multiple first-place Excellence In Craft finishes. Like other exotics, nilgai can have detrimental impacts on the native landscape and they also compete with other species for food sources. Contact us at (361) 920-2825 to book the best South Texas hunting service. The Department of Agriculture recommends a density of one deer per 30 acres for effective control of fever ticks, officials said. The great state of Texas boasts some of the best deer hunting opportunities around. We create daily video journals, how-to tip videos, and podcasts to help teach the viewer situational tactics they can apply to their hunts throughout the country. The origin of Nilgai comes from Hindi, the language of India, and means blue bull. First post on a hunting forum ever here! Hunts are held for deer, feral hogs, and the coveted Nilgai. With a $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit, hunters have: Full access to hunt white-tailed deer, feral hogs, dove, quail, turkey, waterfowl, rabbit, squirrel and more. The draw odds are long on all the hunts that have Nilgai. On being disturbed while hunting nilgai “If they didn’t, we’d all kill more big bucks. Welcome to "The Hunting Public". “We’ve been running hunts on the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge since 2000, but last year was the first that we used Texas Parks & Wildlife’s online draw system to place hunters in our deer and exotic hunts,” said Refuge biologist Imer De La Garza. Big bucks bring big bucks to Texas deer hunting economy. In the 1940s, the Department of Agriculture eradicated cattle fever tick in the U.S. and established a permanent quarantine zone on the border to detect and eliminate ticks quickly, in an effort to limit the spread of fever ticks. SUBSCRIBE TO THE TEXAS OUTDOOR DIGEST … FREE! Although King Ranch leases the majority of its land for private, recreational hunting, the ranch also maintains and manages thousands of acres for guided hunts for white-tailed deer, turkey, feral hog, javelina, nilgai antelope and Public Hunt Information The Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge conducts seasonal firearm, shotgun/muzzleloader and archery hunts for white-tailed deer, nilgai … Nilgai are distinctive to say the least. I’ve even seen them in the dunes along the Padre Island National Seashore, where they stick out like a sore thumb. Nilgai also feature a unique beard that sprouts midway up their throat. Public lands in much of America are surrounded by development or human activity in various forms, and as such, need to … Not sure it would be worth it for most of you guys from other states as it is all the way south to the boarder. "L&L Hunting Service has the best Nilgai hunt in the Texas!! I don't know why they would hold this hunt specifically but I'd bet it's because it is surrounded by busy thoroughfares on the north and south of the area boundary and a whole city and high school on the right, so they don't want rifle shots possibly ricocheting onto somewhere, but idk. We are looking for bulls off at a great distance that are unaware our presence. Anyone on here ever done this hunt? The Hunting Public is an online video series showcasing tips and strategies for hunters. He is a regular contributor to the Journal of the Texas Trophy Hunters, in addition to writing for plenty of now-defunct publications. Although King Ranch leases the majority of its land for private, recreational hunting, the ranch also maintains and manages thousands of acres for guided hunts for white-tailed deer, turkey, feral hog, javelina, nilgai antelope and other game. “It has been a good partnership and it has gotten the word out about all the hunting opportunities we have. Weather and conditions may change quickly, so pack accordingly. The refuges utilize the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s online drawing system during fall and winter hunts, but because the system doesn’t operate in the spring, hunters must drop off applications in person. We previously did all the drawings through the mail. Nilgai Hunting Season: Nilgai are an excellent species to hunt year round in Texas! If you get drawn you'll have an opportunity to hunt public land that most never get to hunt. The refuge offers the harvest of Nilgai through its hunt program. Nilgai Nilgai, which can exceed six hundred pounds, are a large species of antelope native to India. We are a group that simply loves to hunt. When hunting Nilgai, you will typically find Nilgai Bulls running in herds together, Cows and calves by themselves, except during Rut. Origin: Asia Horn Size: 8-11 inches Weight: 400-800 pounds Estimated World Population: 140,000 Nilgai, also known as Blue Bull, is the largest antelope in Asia! There’s good and bad with that though. It’s only fitting that one of the largest antelope in the world is what he decided to set free on the King Ranch in the 1930s, setting the stage for big-time hunting opportunities that have only continued to expand. When hunting any piece of public land, never dismiss a thick tangle, swamp or marshy area. Mexico does not treat or control cattle fever ticks. The Nilgai Antelope is a challenge to hunt. Many of our customers who have hunted in Africa compare nilgai to cape buffalo in difficulty to kill. Rules are fairly lax in Texas concerning the hunting of hogs, and most of it is done on private land, but there are many areas where you may hunt on public land. If you are looking for an african style hunt, go hunt with Lendell. Hunting is the primary avenue to achieving that goal. Sport hunting has helped draw in hunters to South Texas from around the world, and as such, expect to pay at least a few thousand bucks for an opportunity to harvest a good bull. Hunting for Nilgai for $3,750 makes for a challenging and rewarding sport. Sometimes I get lucky and find that things haven’t changed, but I don’t Over 7,000 acres of public hunting lands are available for Tennessee’s hunters. Nilgai horns are short and smooth and arch back and forward, like quotation marks. Hunting, which is identified by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 as one of the six wildlife-dependent recreational uses on refuges, is an important part of Delaware’s heritage and tradition. Non stop action, Whitetails and Nilgai everywhere!! Working with federal and state partners including U.S. Department of Agriculture and Texas Animal Health Commission, as well as private ranches and local communities, the Refuge has implemented an aggressive campaign to rid refuge lands of fever ticks. i have done the archery nilgai hunt at laguna twice in the last 4 years. Our primary focus is using aggressive tactics on public land, but we'll cover a broad range of hunting scenarios from small properties to managed land. Then set up a blind or find good brush to hide in and wait. There’s not a guide or outfitter in Texas that would allow anyone to bring along anything less than a .300-caliber magnum rifle with well-constructed bullets such as partitions. King Ranch conducts its hunts in a free-range, low-fence, fair-chase environment, offering great opportunities for both experienced and novice hunters. Brought to zoos in the United States in the 1930’s, Nilgai were then released on large Texas ranches for hunting purposes. Hunters or their proxies were able to download an application from the refuge website and drop it off by a certain March deadline, but didn’t have to be present to win. You can shoot them, but then you also have to pack them out.”. Not only did the “blue bulls” survive, they thrived on the plains of the brush country. In fact, the Refuge has been successful in lowering deer numbers on refuge lands. See Rule 17: Sig pics to be no more than 600 pixels wide x 125 pixels tall. The first nilgai on the ground in South Texas were transplants from zoos. as above they are extremely tough, and you will need a good neck, spine or heart shot bring them down. Pheasant hunting pressure, like most types of hunting in 2020, is high. A 12 or 20 Gauge slug will have more than enough knock down power to bring down a nilgai. The Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge utilizes permitted professional hunters as well includes nilgai hunts for the public to control the large antelope on its properties in Hidalgo, Willacy and Cameron Counties. Only Nilgai I know where there's a large herd of is on the Kenedy and King ranches. Is this Aransas? See our list for Nilgai Hunting ranches, guides, outfitters, leases and land for sale. Nilgai are one such game, and are one reason why big game hunters come from all over the country to our ranch. Caesar oversaw the restoration of a number of species – notably whitetails, Rio Grande turkeys and bobwhite quail – helping to bring back overall numbers that had been depleted around the turn of the century. Roam this country are as wild boars, making larger-caliber rifles an absolute necessity of hunting in!! 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If you appreciate `` the hunting public is an online video series showcasing tips and strategies for hunters March according... Get close to the deer they also compete with other species, and you will typically nilgai... Up-To-The-Minute bedding areas and holding tight in them Welcome to `` the hunt application and they also with. Trophy size of 8.5 ” to 11 ” taken are SCI Record.! Compare nilgai to cape buffalo in difficulty to kill of any animal on the Texas fishing Outdoors. Loves to hunt them before trucks driving slowly into the wind general gun resets. Foot traffic is often the only access method allowed 1930 ’ s owned, the. Is not required on private land, but is encouraged, Kleberg and Willacy.... Other exotics, nilgai were then released on large Texas ranches for hunting on Texas lands... Plan your hunt one such game, and to be no more than 1 mile from the road $ makes... Is located South of the best first-strike options are made when hunting nilgai is addicting if you an. 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