South Texas is home to more free-range Nilgai antelope than their native country of India. Originally stocked on the King Ranch in the 1930s, these sporty game animals quickly took hold and are currently free ranging on a handful of large private properties in lower South Texas. Texas Nilgai antelope hunting is indeed very challenging hunting, and this is certainly a hunt destination you will want to add to your schedule.
MORE ABOUT NILGAI ANTELOPE
Nilgai antelope is the second largest member of the antelope family. Some people refer to the mature Nilgai antelope males as “blue bulls” as the dominant male Nilgai antelope typically become very dark, taking on a blackish and blueish hue. These are large sturdy animals with mature Nilgai antelope bulls weighing upwards of 600 pounds on the hoof. Trophy size Nilgai antelope bulls will normally sport vertically oriented horns measuring 8.5 to 10 inches in length. They feature a unique tubular shaped beard on the midsection of their throat. Nilgai hunting can be a difficult task as Nilgai antelope are very skittish, and their keen eyesight is amazing. Nilgai antelope are horribly difficult to bring down and rarely do they get dropped in their tracks unless taken with a spine shot.
Nilgai antelope is the second largest member of the antelope family. Some people refer to the mature Nilgai antelope males as “blue bulls” as the dominant male Nilgai antelope typically become very dark, taking on a blackish and blueish hue. These are large sturdy animals with mature Nilgai antelope bulls weighing upwards of 600 pounds on the hoof. Trophy size Nilgai antelope bulls will normally sport vertically oriented horns measuring 8.5 to 10 inches in length. They feature a unique tubular shaped beard on the midsection of their throat. Nilgai hunting can be a difficult task as Nilgai antelope are very skittish, and their keen eyesight is amazing. Nilgai antelope are horribly difficult to bring down and rarely do they get dropped in their tracks unless taken with a spine shot.
LOCATION OF TEXAS NILGAI ANTELOPE HUNTING
Nilgai antelope hunting takes place on a famous 25,000-acre ranch near Raymondville in lower South Texas and 170,000 acres of the Kennedy Ranch. Both ranches allow clients and guide to freely move about which creates a heightened sense of mystery. This area is chock full of native wildlife including whitetail deer, Rio Grande wild turkey, bobwhite quail, javelina, and an assortment of nongame wildlife. Other exotics here include one of the state’s largest scimitar-horned Oryx herds, as well as waterbuck, lechwe, blackbuck antelope, springbok, eland, addax, kudu, gemsbok, beisa oryx, white-bearded gnu, and sable.
Two fully furnished unique camps make this a well rounded, comfortable hunting experience. Each camp is built with an African safari type of facade, with both camps having several chalets, each chalet having two beds and a private bath facility, all of which are air-conditioned. Each camp also features a central building for dining and lounging, and a fire ring provides a perfect evening venue for relaxing with a cool drink and enjoying the endless supply of stars. Both camps are carved out of the South Texas brush, well off the beaten path so that you can be immersed in tranquility. This is likely the finest all-inclusive Nilgai hunting destination in Texas.
It is not uncommon to see 20-30 Nilgai antelope bulls per day. It is a matter of finding the right bull and making a successful stalk. Some hunting takes place on high fenced areas and some on low fenced. This is one of the finest nilgai hunts in Texas.
WHAT IS FURNISHED ON NILGAI HUNTS?
Nilgai antelope hunts are set up as 2.5-day packages including 3 nights lodging. Most hunters are guided 1×1 but on larger groups, some clients are 2×1. Three meals daily are served. For a small per trip charge, you will be furnished with airport shuttle to and from Harlingen, which is only a 30-minute drive. Your Nilgai bull will be skinned and caped as part of the package and you may choose to pay to have the meat commercially processed at a nearby facility. Incidentally, Nilgai antelope meat is some of the best wild game meat you will ever have, which makes Nilgai antelope hunting even more attractive.
Due to the size and hardiness of Nilgai bulls, this property has a minimum caliber allowance of a .300 caliber. Well built bullets such as partitions or A-Frames are recommended. No ballistic tip type bullets are allowed. Your guide is required to carry a backup gun in case a follow-up shot is necessary to prevent a wounded Nilgai bull making it into the Texas brush.
