Texas Exotics

[the blur]

Just did a free range Aoudad hunt in Texas. He has other exotics he claims are free ranging. Simitar Oryx, Mouflin, Axis, etc.
and alot of high fenced exotics as well. 100,000 acres, he says are considered free ranging anyway.
Seeing corn feeders everywhere was kinda strange, but widely accepted in TX.

Seems like an alternative to Africa, and I can drive there !!!
Anyone do a fenced or free range, TX exotics?

 

[LanceK]

Where did you go hunting?

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Just did a free range Aoudad hunt in Texas. He has other exotics he claims are free ranging. Simitar Oryx, Mouflin, Axis, etc.
and alot of high fenced exotics as well. 100,000 acres, he says are considered free ranging anyway.
Seeing corn feeders everywhere was kinda strange, but widely accepted in TX.

Seems like an alternative to Africa, and I can drive there !!!
Anyone do a fenced or free range, TX exotics?

What did you harvest? Post pictures and stories!

 

[MJT700P]

My dad is leaving tomorrow for a free range aoudad hunt in Texas as well . What outfit did you hunt with and what did you think of it? Post up some pics too.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I hunt exotics but in a high fence. I know what it is when I go and have no expectations otherwise. Axis and Blackbuck meat is tasty and that what I'm there to do; get some meat.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

I hunt exotics but in a high fence. I know what it is when I go and have no expectations otherwise. Axis and Blackbuck meat is tasty and that what I'm there to do; get some meat.

Mike do you get enough meat to cove the trip price per price? We love Gemsbuck, think that it is the best out of all meats. all depended what they are eating too.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Mike do you get enough meat to cove the trip price per price? We love Gemsbuck, think that it is the best out of all meats. all depended what they are eating too.

Axis yes, we shoot does for meat. They have gone up in price significantly since the big freeze we had in 2021 due to massive die offs. Prior to that we were paying $500 per doe with lodging, meals guide and game care included. It's almost double that now.

My wife shot a nice blackbuck in November and I'm going back to shoot an Axis buck next month.
hunting in general is expensive in Texas.

I was spending $5-6k per year to be on a lease to kill up to 5 whitetail deer per season so it's really abut the same cost but I don't have to buy the feed, maintain the blinds and equipment and I'm cooked nice meals the gutting/skinning/quartering is all done for me.

I haven't mustered up the gumption to pay what a Gemsbok costs but I want one really bad. Maybe after I get my Western States bucket list hunts done then I'll shell out the $$ for one.

 

[Elkeater]

Just did a free range Aoudad hunt in Texas. He has other exotics he claims are free ranging. Simitar Oryx, Mouflin, Axis, etc.
and alot of high fenced exotics as well. 100,000 acres, he says are considered free ranging anyway.
Seeing corn feeders everywhere was kinda strange, but widely accepted in TX.

Seems like an alternative to Africa, and I can drive there !!!
Anyone do a fenced or free range, TX exotics?

I've done free range exotics and high fence exotics. I actually have an annual trip coming up next month. I've decided at least in the hill country high fence vs low fence wasn't much different. Or at least if the high fence is big acreage. I've done free range Aoudad, javalina, Catalina goat, hogs, axis, and one random blackbuck doe. I've done high fence hogs, axis, Mouflan, Catalina, scimitar horned oryx. And no I'm not rich I've actually done this relatively cheap (except for west Texas Aoudad) by hunting around for deals on does, Nannie's, broke horns, etc. it's my idea of Africa where I get meat. They aren't hard hunts but can be fun especially with a couple buddies around to share a drink around the campfire at night. Doesn't hurt that my wife is from Texas and so I'm driving there anyway so I might as well hunt.

 

[Plinker147]

95% of hunting done in Africa is high fenced. Texas great alternative and great place. You can find Aoudad, axis, and black buck free range is Texas in places. pretty much everything else will be high fenced. As long as is a big enough property it's a good hunt it's worth while. Don't get hung up on the high fence if it's fun and you like it, do it!

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

If you ever hunted on a few thousand acres that is high fenced - it is the same as free range!

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Axis yes, we shoot does for meat. They have gone up in price significantly since the big freeze we had in 2021 due to massive die offs. Prior to that we were paying $500 per doe with lodging, meals guide and game care included. It's almost double that now.

My wife shot a nice blackbuck in November and I'm going back to shoot an Axis buck next month.
hunting in general is expensive in Texas.

I was spending $5-6k per year to be on a lease to kill up to 5 whitetail deer per season so it's really abut the same cost but I don't have to buy the feed, maintain the blinds and equipment and I'm cooked nice meals the gutting/skinning/quartering is all done for me.

I haven't mustered up the gumption to pay what a Gemsbok costs but I want one really bad. Maybe after I get my Western States bucket list hunts done then I'll shell out the $$ for one.

You can't justify a hunt by the meat you get and the cost of the hunt. I do know that when you get a 1,200 lb animal it is a lot of meat in your freezer. When I look at a hunt it is all about the ADVENTURE and if you harvest something all the better. We have been lucky to get a lot of hunting land without paying for a lease. The guided hunts we went one were fairly inexpensive and the Africa hunts were extremely cheap compared to a guided hunt in USA. It is getting to be a rich man's sport these times. Too bad the land owners and guide service have gone up so much, but they have to make money. It the charging $$$ by the animal or rack size that gets me.
If you have the chance to get a GemsBuck go for it. The meat is excellent but may depend on what they eat.

 

[Mike D Texas]

If you ever hunted on a few thousand acres that is high fenced - it is the same as free range!

I have hunted high fence ranches from 1,000 acres to 122,000 acres and yes there are no guarantees like some would have you believe.

 

[Ugly Dog]

Nice pictures

I have been thinking about doing some of this hunting. I like the idea of hunting some exotics. Ive been thinking about an Audad hunt. I do however wonder how they taste? I've heard some stories that the meat is not so good? I did have a chance to eat Gemsbuck and Blackbuck from a relative that hunted them in Oklahoma. That was good meat. Just not sure which ranch or where to go in Texas seems to be a lot of them.

 

[Plinker147]

Aoudad is not the best table fair. It's best to ground into breakfast sausage or similar then it's fine. African plains game are just about all really good eating.