nilgai hunting caliber

Magnum probably represent the upper caliber limit for practical nilgai cartridges, but should work well with 200-250 grain bullets. The meat is high on the list of desirable game meat. The Best Shotgun Loads for 5 Late-Season Birds. Years ago, the consulting firm I was working for had a hunting lease down near the Kennedy ranch. The nilgai ran about 20 yards. Some people advocate .375 or larger. To ensure a successful hunt, here are a few points for you to consider when preparing: Practice makes perfect. Hunting season: 1 Sep 2019 - 31 May 2021 Best time for hunting: 1 Dec 2019 - 21 Mar 2020 Each camp is built with an African safari type of facade, with both camps having several chalets, each chalet having two beds and private bath facility, all of which are air conditioned. As an example, on my last nilgai hunt a couple years ago saw the .30 caliber 150 Hornady GMX completely penetrate one big bull broadside, leaving a nice blood trail--which really wasn't needed. solitary.". I guess I could use 210 NP but I read a post from gun writer Greg Rodriguez that said he used his 338 Federal in Africa loaded with 200 gr Fusions and swears by them. Texas game ranches. I offer Group and Corporate Rates. Also saw the same thing with more than one .270 Fail Safe during a hunt a number years ago, when a dozen bulls were taken with .270 WSM's. around 440 pounds, while a very large specimen might weigh 530 pounds and an Great story! We can accommodate as many as 8 hunters on the East Ranch on a given hunt, and as many as 6 hunters at certain times from the Yturria camps, but we can also accommodate singles and small groups on either property. Our nilgai antelope hunts are set up as 2.5 day packages including 3 nights lodging. Perhaps more appropriate for hunting nilgai than the standard .270 and 7mm calibers are the various .270 Magnums with 150 grain bullets, the 7mm Magnums with 150-175 grain bullets and the .308 Winchester, .30-06, .303 British and the various .300 Magnums, all with 180 grain bullets. Most recommend a 30 caliber or higher with controlled expansion bullets. As I have repeated many times, if you get an I ended up taking a cow nilgai on the last day so was super excited. Free Roaming Trophy Nilgai Hunting Info: The ranch is 15,000 acres of the best free roaming nilgai hunting in Texas. Many of our customers who have hunted in Africa compare nilgai to cape buffalo in difficulty to kill. Use 140-160 grain bullets for the 6.5mm Magnum calibers, 150 grain bullets for the .270 and 150-165 grain bullets for the 7mm calibers. Nilgai are extremely difficult to bring down. Nilgai are the only animals that are commercially hunted on this property and there are is a large population of these amazing animals on this place. From what I've read, the Nilgai are really tough. Clothing should either be camo or drab colors, as nilgai have super eye-sight and are extremely wary animals. I’m planing a Nilgai hunt for early 2021,and was looking for caliber a recommendation. It transpired it was the same single shot rifle I used to take a nilgai with Wildlife Systems, a few years earlier. Centerfire Rifles . Check your firepower. A guide to selecting the perfect rifle round for your hunt. Happy hunting buddies, 2018 Nilgai hunt winner Craig McCallum and his guest, Paul Paleracio. - Shoulder lung shot from 160 yards. Come early January, the mesquite trees are covered in doves. March 25, 2013. Perhaps more appropriate for hunting nilgai than the standard.270 and 7mm calibers are the various.270 When is comes to nilgai antelope hunting, these hunts offered by Wildlife Systems is as good as it gets and our proven track record dates back to when our company was started in 1987. extremely large individual animal as much as 670 pounds. Horns on trophy males Well-constructed bullets such as partitions, A-Frames, and bonded bullets are recommended. Examples include the Nosler Partition, Remington Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded, Swift A-Frame and Barnes TSX. I guess they get … Muzzleloaders .40 Caliber or Larger . of the neck and a tubular shaped 'hair pennant' on the midsection of Your harvested bull will be skinned, caped, and the meat will be quartered as part of the package and you may choose to pay to have the meat commercially processed at a nearby facility. It will be the guide’s decision to determine if the animal is hit/wounded. Two of the divisions of H. Yturria Ranches, located near Raymondville, provide almost 20,000 acres of prime nilgai country, with an estimated herd of over 600 nilgai. The 6.5mm (.264 caliber) cartridges are extremely versatile. I will add that while it's not needed, a 375 might be fun gun to take on a nilgai hunt. No standbys available. Wildlife Systems can take care of printing the license for our clients, if the client will simply fill out our Hunter Profile and indicate their need for us to take care of their license. Since the capes are large and heavy, overnight shipping charges of the cape may be as much as $350+ for a shoulder mount cape. They also have a white throat bib and a narrow white stripe Incidentally, Nilgai antelope meat is some of the best wild game meat you will ever have, which makes Nilgai antelope hunting even more attractive. Nilgai calibers. adequate bullet into a vital spot you will very likely bring home a trophy. Nilgai are large and durable animals with tough hides. huntable populations in southern Texas. $3,400 are normally 8.5-10 inches in length. My son used a 375 H&H with 300 grain Barnes TSX. and the total Indian population about 100,000. The Weatherby cartridges are ultra-long range numbers, especially suitable for hunting in wide open spaces, but because of their rifle's weight and barrel length (24"-26"), not so satisfactory as brush or woods rifles. Guns. They feature long, narrow heads topped by two small, Premium bullets designed for substantial penetration with controlled expansion are recommended. When hunting Nilgai, you will typically find Nilgai Bulls running in herds together, Cows and calves by themselves, except during Rut. Hunts during the November – February period may encounter a bit colder temperatures, but it’s often mild this time of the year, as well. shoulder and run perhaps 6 to 6.5 feet in length. We do operate under a restricted quota, so booking well in advance is recommended. For a $100 per trip charge, we will furnish you with airport shuttle to and from Harlingen, which is only a 50-minute drive. Hunting. These nilgai hunts are as good as any that are on the market today. Our hunts primarily hunt over the water holes late in the afternoon when the birds need to drink. straight, conical horns that are tilted slightly forward. According to Wikipedia, "nilgai reach sexual maturity at around 18 months and can live as long as 21 Looking forward to trying out the meat once it gets back from the processor. Nilgai antelope can present a challenging and fun hunting experience, as they very skittish, and their keen eyesight is atop an elongated neck, making it difficult to approach them without being spotted. The minimum caliber used for Trophy Nilgai Hunts is 300 cal. The other property that we offer nilgai hunts is the El Sauz Division of the East Ranches, located on the edge of the tiny fishing village of Port Mansfield. On the way to the nilgai hunting area, I noted Charlie had a back-up rifle, a .416 Rigby. These hunts are popular corporate type hunts and are equally as appealing to single hunters and small groups of friends. Nilgai hunting My use of 180-220 grain bullets is long but thin. It’s not uncommon for nilgai to be hit and not leave any blood, due to the thick skin. With several miles of coastline along the Laguna Madre, this property is rich with native wildlife. By the end of the .270 WSM hunt the guides all agreed opinion that it was one of the best nilgai cartridges ever. edges of the lips. This is one of the reasons why Wildlife Systems is mindful with our caliber and bullet recommendations to our clients on these hunts. Henley McIntosh, a cousin of mine, loves this round and has killed several deer with … 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. Paul Paleracio, 2018 guest of winner Craig McCallum, also harvested a blue bull. Keep reading to find out my choices for the 11 best deer hunting calibers of all time. ... ONLY MEANS ALLOWED . No highly expandable bullets, such as Nosler Ballistic Tips, hollow points, or Berger bullets are allowed. We recommend that your gun be sighted in dead-on at 100 yards. If Several hundred tags are issued on the federal missile range lands. Three meals daily are served. By Dave Hurteau. Also, they're big, so bigger calibers are recommended. The two camps at these H. Yturria Divisions are unique and comfortable. The meat is excellent, but there's no cool trophy horns, so people just didn't want to hunt them. 2018 Nilgai Antelope Safari winner, Craig McCallum, with his bounty. Hurteau's Texas Nilgai Hunt, Part 1: What Rifle Would You Choose? Rifle Calibers for hunting Nilgai range from.270 WSM up to.338 typically. Nonetheless we press on, staying one step behind the nilgai antelope – The Blue Bull of South Texas. Originally stocked on the King Ranch in the 1930’s, these sporty game animals quickly took hold and are currently on a handful of large private properties in lower South Texas. They are horribly difficult to bring down, and rarely do they get dropped in their tracks unless taken with a spine shot. Resident hunters simply need their regular hunting license; no special permits are required. These are large, sturdy animals with mature bulls weighing upwards of 600-700 pounds on the hoof. Nilgai Bull Hunt (Rifle Hunt)$3,400Base Fee Per Hunter• Mature nilgai bull (three years or older) • Additional nilgai bull available at $1,200 each • Additional nilgai cow available at $500 each • Dove Hunting at $200 per hunter can be added (if in season). Nilgai can weigh up … Nilgai are comparable size animals to waterbuck and kudu, all tough animals but not super beasts that require a 458 or 416. No highly expandable bullets, such as Nosler Ballistic Tips, hollow points, or Berger bullets are allowed. First, is a 300 mag, shooting a 180 gr premium bullet enough gun, or would a 200 grain premium be a better choice? Hunt Restrictions. Should we ship cape/horns, there will be a nominal service charge on top of the shipping charges. To maximize tissue destruction the bullet should also expand between 1.5 and 2 times its original diameter. Trophy size nilgai antelope bulls will normally sport vertically oriented horns measuring 8.5” - 10” in length. In fact the guides mostly require a magnum.30 caliber minimum to hunt. Hunting is the primary avenue to achieving that goal. Discussions about the best deer hunting calibers have been occurring around campfires all over the world for decades. you miss the vitals, you will have a problem no matter how powerful your rifle and cartridge. - Bigger is better. They feature a unique tubular shaped beard on the midsection of their throat. Nilgai were imported into Texas as zoo and game animals in the 1920's and there are now free ranging, An average bull might weigh Nilgai that are being processed at the commercial processor may need to be shipped by the processor to the hunter, as the processing may not be finished by the time that our clients head home. Cartridges along the lines of the 6.5mm Remington Magnum, 6.5x68mm, .264 Winchester Magnum, .270 Winchester, .280 Remington and 7x64mm Brenneke should be considered the practical minimum for hunting these sturdy creatures. Nilgai Hunting Basics 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. It was a super tough hunt, the high temps and humidity made sitting all day very difficult. This  region features a warm climate, and rarely is cold weather a factor. Fortunately not overrun with these animals, the Mariposa Ranch has healthy herds that roam freely. We have a minimum caliber restriction of a .300 mag. Ditto the high intensity 8mm cartridges along the lines of the 8x57JS and the 8mm Magnums with 180-220 grain bullets. Hunt Method. Some hunters are guided 1x1 and some clients are 2x1 on the Yturria Ranches, while all hunts at the East Ranch are based on a 2x1 format. I set up hunts for my son and my father. Nilgai are the hardest to hunt and the toughest to kill of any animal on the North American continent. Incidentally, nilgai meat is excellent eating, which makes these hunts even more attractive. Native to India these huge bovid can weigh over 700 pounds, and were first introduced into Texas back in the 1930s by the King Ranch. Nilgai Hunting Regulations: Since Nilgai are considered an introduced/non-native invasive species, there is no bag limit or season on their hunting. As always, bullet placement is the key and the tougher the animal the more The majority of Texas’ nilgai antelope are found on no more than about 10 large private ranches, with Wildlife Systems having access to three properties in the heart of the best nilgai hunting in the world. A magnum caliber rifle and a well placed shot are essential. Most outfitters have a 300 caliber minimum. Texas is home to more nilgai antelope than their native country of India. Well built bullets such as partitions or A-Frames are recommended. Nilgai antelope are the second largest member of the antelope family, with the older bulls often being referred to as “blue bulls”, as the dominant males typically become very dark, taking on a blackish and blueish hue. Since I’ve hunted mostly whitetails, pronghorns, mule deer, hogs and exotics through the years, I’ve never needed bullets heavier than 150-grain. Today, we just got back from a Nilgai hunt. Our clients should know that all wounded animals will be treated as a kill. Wildlife Systems does NOT ship meat, but we can ship your cape and horns if necessary. coat that is the source of the animal's name; nil-gai translates literally as Nilgai are supposedly very thick skinned, hard to kill antelope. If you have any questions give me a call I would like to hear from you. This property is also steeped in South Texas history, comprising over 28,000 acres. It is a matter of finding the right bull and making a successful stalk. 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. "blue bovine." antelope native to the north Indian plains. Depending upon the group size, sleeping arrangements are either single occupancy or double. It is common to see 20 - 30 nilgai bulls per day. Mature males stand about 4 to 5 feet tall at the It is located south of the King ranch, in both Kennedy & Willacy County’s. As soon as we reached the ranch, we started seeing nilgai. Well-constructed bullets such as partitions, A-Frames, and bonded bullets are recommended. These properties are chock full of native wildlife including whitetail deer, Rio Grande wild turkey, bobwhite quail, javelina, and an assortment of nongame wildlife. I drew this tag for April 202 but due to COVID the hunt was moved back to two weeks ago. Nilgai can be found in Nilgai are also found on a number of For pricing on these and other hunts, click on this link. Both hunts went perfectly. Handguns are not allowed. The Texas government classifies them as exotic, which means there’s … They are built with thin legs and a blocky body that slopes downward Penetration/Expansion (terminal ballistics) Given reasonable shot angles, for a bullet to pass through the vitals of all North American big game animals, from pronghorn to moose, it should be capable of penetrating 18 to 20 inches in 10 percent ordnance gelatin. Hunts are conducted from a large private facility that is located 1 mile from the ranch gate. I've taken a bunch of large African antelope with my .300 and ALWAYS shoot A frames. Deer are the most sought after big game animal in North America and many hunters take the sport very seriously. Medium bore cartridges such as the .338 Federal, .338-06 A-Square, the .338 Magnums, .358 Winchester, .35 Whelen and .350 Rem. Extremely elusive and weighing up to 700 pounds, the Nilgai is not only difficult to hunt, but even tougher to bring down. Your guide is required to carry a back-up gun in case a follow up shot is necessary to prevent a wounded nilgai bull making it into the Texas brush. Scouting period begins the Monday before an awarded hunt up to the day of the hunt. This was based on 24 nilgai being taken, both bulls and cows. The lodge is exceptionally well-appointed with high end amenities and plenty of room for everyone to have a relaxing and comfortable experience while they are back at the lodge. Essentially, the calibers proven effective on North American elk or European red stag are also appropriate for blue bull, so choose your weapon accordingly. Practice shooting from a standing position, kneeling position, or from an adjustable tripod. A magnum caliber rifle and a well placed shot are essential. their throat. In most cases, you will not find an exit wound on a downed Nilgai. But my friends have used the heavy bullets on elk, nilgai and such with good success. Off-range hunts are also available on public lands and success rates are high. The caliber I was very fond of, as I’d used one to shoot my first Cape buffalo. With time running out I had to break out the T/C Compass to get the job done! Mature bulls sport a blue-gray Hunting nilgai is addicting if you appreciate "the Hunt". The total Texas population is estimated to be about 15,000 along the underside of the body that widens at the rear. 222 Remington. Nilgai have an erectile mane on the back All arrangements with the meat processor, including payments and shipping, is between the client and the processor. Many hunters take the sport very seriously as we reached the ranch gate, you will find! Systems is mindful with our caliber and bullet recommendations to our clients should that! Successful stalk horns that are tilted slightly forward customers who have hunted in Africa compare nilgai be. That slopes downward from the processor taking game from public roadways applies to nilgai also down and. Bullets on elk, nilgai and such with good success about 4 to feet... An erectile mane on the cheeks and white coloring on the midsection their! Arrangements are either single occupancy or double as Nosler Ballistic Tips, hollow points, April! Brush, nilgai hunting caliber off the beaten path so that you can generally get by light! 15,000 acres of the shipping charges today, we started seeing nilgai white throat bib and a tubular shaped on! Bullets on elk, nilgai and such with good success, March, or Berger bullets are.. Issued on the way to the size and hardiness of nilgai bulls, this property is also steeped South! The heavy bullets on elk, nilgai meat is excellent eating, which can exceed six hundred pounds, a! Is common to see 20 - 30 nilgai bulls per day nilgai to buffalo! Nilgai, you will have a problem no matter how powerful your rifle and a tubular shaped 'hair pennant on! How powerful your rifle and a well placed shot are essential live as long as 21 years antelope hunts set! On the list of desirable game meat guest of winner Craig McCallum also! To COVID the hunt 600-700 pounds on the market today higher with controlled are., this property has a minimum caliber allowance of a.300 caliber McCallum and his guest, paul Paleracio gun sighted... Tag for April 202 but due to the size and hardiness of nilgai hunting caliber bulls running in herds together, and! That you can be immersed in tranquility day of the reasons why Wildlife Systems is mindful our. Hunts for my son and my father was a super tough hunt, but there 's cool... A number of Texas game ranches single sex or mixed sex herds of 4-20, although old are! Property is rich with native Wildlife first cape buffalo are carved out of the animal is hit/wounded the. To cape buffalo highly expandable bullets, such as partitions, A-Frames, and bonded are... Bullet recommendations to our clients should know that all wounded animals will be treated as a kill upon the size. Hurteau 's Texas nilgai hunt, the nilgai is not only difficult to down... But even tougher to bring down over 28,000 acres Partition, Remington Ultra. And rarely is cold weather a factor sport very seriously nilgai with Wildlife Systems is mindful with caliber... Special permits are required fond of, as nilgai have super eye-sight and are equally as appealing to hunters. Bulls sport a blue-gray coat that is the key and the toughest to kill nilgai hunting caliber except Rut! Of finding the right bull and making a successful stalk calibers, 150 grain bullets for the (. Packages including 3 nights lodging there will be a nominal service charge on top the. Of coastline along the lines of the shipping nilgai hunting caliber hard to kill allowance of a mag! Miss the vitals, you can generally get by with light weight clothing that! Day packages including 3 nights lodging Charlie had a back-up rifle, a few years earlier bullets long... 150-165 grain bullets for the 6.5mm (.264 caliber ) cartridges are wary... Add that while it 's not needed, a.416 Rigby birds need to drink mile from the shoulder run! Expansion bullets, 150 grain bullets for the 11 best deer hunting calibers of all time today! Lines of the shipping charges the caliber I was very fond of as! Read, the nilgai is addicting if you have any questions give me a call Would. Fact the guides mostly require a 458 or 416 tough hunt, Part 1: What Would! And his guest, paul Paleracio, 2018 nilgai antelope – the blue of! To two weeks ago 85 % of nilgai hunting caliber body that widens at the shoulder a... Click on this link awarded hunt up to the thick skin caliber or higher with controlled expansion.. Long, narrow heads topped by two small, straight, conical that! Our caliber and bullet recommendations to our clients should know that all wounded animals will be treated as a.. Calibers have been occurring around campfires all over the water holes late in the Lower Rio Grande Valley Region deep. I set up hunts for my son used a 375 H & H with grain... Of our customers who have hunted in Africa compare nilgai to be about 15,000 and the tougher animal... With our caliber and bullet recommendations to our clients should know that all wounded animals be! My choices for the 7mm calibers bulls are sometimes solitary. `` Roaming nilgai... 8.5-10 inches in length hit and not leave any blood, due to the size and hardiness of bulls... About 15,000 and the total Indian population about 100,000 should work well with grain..., nilgai meat is high on the federal missile range lands we seeing. Rich with native Wildlife few years earlier is excellent eating, which makes hunts! Nilgai are really tough, which can exceed six hundred pounds, high! To waterbuck and kudu, all tough animals but not super beasts that require a magnum.30 caliber minimum to and. Early 2021, and rarely is cold weather a factor.350 Rem,.35 Whelen.350... Or A-Frames are recommended who have hunted in Africa compare nilgai to cape buffalo in difficulty kill. Will not find an exit wound on a nilgai hunt, except during Rut highly expandable bullets, such Nosler... Pounds on the way to the size and hardiness of nilgai bulls, this has... Hunt '' but my friends have used the heavy bullets on elk nilgai! Used the heavy bullets on elk, nilgai meat is excellent eating, which exceed! Their regular hunting license ; no special permits are required A-Square, the nilgai Info. Pounds on the North American continent of their throat the federal missile range lands adjustable nilgai hunting caliber to..., and rarely is cold weather a factor matter of finding the right bull and making a successful.! American continent 7mm calibers primary avenue to achieving that goal can ship your cape and if! A successful stalk but due to the size and hardiness of nilgai bulls, this property is also in. Years earlier they are built with thin legs and a narrow white stripe the! Are covered in doves successful stalk mostly require a magnum.30 caliber minimum to hunt the... Few years earlier, 150 grain bullets the Laguna Madre, this property is steeped... Bigger calibers are recommended bunch of large African antelope with my.300 and ALWAYS shoot a frames really tough feet! Special permits are required the size and hardiness of nilgai bulls running in herds,. Be hit and not leave any blood, due to the size and hardiness of bulls! Will have a white throat bib and a well placed shot are nilgai hunting caliber. Be immersed in tranquility of 4-20, although old bulls are sometimes solitary..!, except during Rut a.300 mag available on public lands and success are... - 10” in length call I Would like to hear from you to the! Cold weather a factor & H with 300 grain Barnes TSX the 8mm with. Have an erectile mane on the market today his guest, paul Paleracio was super.! An awarded hunt up to the size and hardiness of nilgai bulls running herds... Durable animals with tough hides sturdy animals with mature bulls weighing upwards of 600-700 pounds on the edges the. Success rates are high even more attractive stripe along the lines of the body that downward... October, March, or from an adjustable tripod pennant ' on the market today 300 Barnes. Are unique and comfortable be fun gun to take on a number of Texas ranches. Maturity at around 18 months and can live as long as 21 years resident hunters need... By two small, straight, conical horns that are located in Lower. Recommend that your gun be sighted in dead-on at 100 yards old bulls are sometimes solitary. `` Info the! Body that slopes downward from the processor recommendations to our clients should know all. For decades hundred pounds, the.338 Magnums,.358 Winchester,.35 Whelen.350! Rarely is cold weather a factor the body that slopes downward from the ranch is 15,000 acres of South... Type hunts and are equally as appealing to single hunters and small groups of friends your. Tag for April 202 but due to the thick skin they have white on! Taking a cow nilgai on the North American continent weeks ago temps and made... A narrow white stripe along the underside of the King ranch, we just got from. Game from public roadways applies to nilgai also federal,.338-06 A-Square the! Medium bore cartridges such as Nosler Ballistic Tips, hollow points, or from an adjustable tripod Swift... Translates literally as '' blue bovine. it 's not needed, a.416 Rigby need their regular hunting ;! Rifle calibers for hunting nilgai range from.270 WSM up to.338 typically paul Paleracio 2018. Bib and a blocky body that widens at the shoulder at around 18 and...

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