Typical Day & Tactics

Get yourself to the ranch. Depending on arrival time be ready to change and head out hunting shortly after arrival. Pile into a supped up side by side with your outfitter and his trusty tracking dog on a classic spot and stalk free range deer hunt. Cruise the Sendero’s and ranch roads, glassing off high points and into valleys looking for groups of Blackbuck, but no doubt also encountering Axis and Whitetails, along with Scimitar Oryx, Catalina and other oddballs like Emus or varmints. It’s the hill country, so hunters almost never know what they might run into. Seeing young and female Blackbuck prance around initially reminds many of Springbuck or Impala in Africa, and it takes a moment to sink in and appreciate that this incredible free-range antelope resource is so close to home.

Shooter Blackbuck on these ranches are judged very critically and tend to range from 18-21+-inch strait-tape measurements sporting 3+ horn curls with little to no brooming. Guides are very experienced and most days a number of flashy mature bucks can be stalked into and inspected at a closer range. During their ruts in the winter months, mature male Blackbuck dawn their best coats. Look for suspenders past the ankles and halos around the eyes of sharply contrasting black and white. Sandy coats elude to a younger buck this time of year which makes judging easier. Tactics are classic spot & stalk, while typical shots are made off shooting sticks or in the prone, and are usually between 75-150 yards, but can extend past 200 yards at times. During the summer months outside the rut, shots have the potential be longer with the Blackbuck less concentrated. Archery hunting is also possible, especially during the November rut from a blind or stand for those keen on combining with free-range hill country Whitetails.

Lunch is usually back at the lodge, and as soon as the sun starts to slide, head back out for the evening hunt. Continue probing different corners of the ranches, glassing, spotting and judging Blackbuck along the way until a shooter is located. Blackbuck can be very jumpy but often do not go too far if spooked. Wind is always a factor and contending with herds as large as several dozen, Antelope can make getting into range a challenge sometimes. Before long it all comes together, and a good stalk produces an opportunity at a free-range trophy class Blackbuck.

Once successful, Blackbuck are dressed, caped, quartered and placed in a walk-in cooler until it’s time to leave. These target-rich hunts offer an excellent free-range Texas Hill Country experience, beautiful capes and horns, and excellent venison for very reasonable pricing. Being open-year-round with no real tags or limits, where is the downside?

Landscape & Climate

Gently rolling hill country mixed Savannah type terrain. It is generally brushy with patches of live Oak montes, dense juniper thickets or mesquite trees in the bottoms and valley floors are interspersed with small grassy meadows. The ground is also littered with prickly pear cactus colonies, clumps of Yuccas and seasonal native flowers. The fauna in this region are diverse, yet all uniquely able to coexist. In additional to the Axis, hunters are certain to encounter Whitetail Deer, Blackbuck, Scimitar Horned Oryx, Catalina, Hogs, Raccoons, Ringtail Cats, Armadillos, Skunks, Grey Foxes, Jackrabbits, Emus, Turkey Vultures, Rio Grande Wild Turkeys, Cardinals, Hummingbirds, Road Runners and the occasional Tarantulas, Scorpions, Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes and Coachwhips! In low fence Hill Country, any number of unexpected exotic species could also suddenly appear – keeping hunters on their toes!

With the season open year-round, the weather can vary greatly. During the winter rut its quite cool but frost is still uncommon in the mornings and it generally heats up during the day, but nothing aside from a sweater or jacket is required to stay comfortable. Late spring to mid fall weather has the potential to get quite hot. The sun can blaze in the midday which is the perfect time for a siesta. It’s not uncommon to hunt in T-shirts and shorts in the afternoon.

Meals & Accommodations

The outfitter bases these hunts from several private ranch style homes on active working ranches in the remote Texas hill country. AC, private bedrooms and bathrooms, common lounge and dining areas, fire pits, a swimming pool, full kitchen, fridges, freezers and catered meals provides comfort to guests. Also nice is the quiet, remote private setting directly in the hunting area. Cell phone service or wifi is available at most locations but not all.

Fresh home-made tortilla chips and salsa are available round the clock. Aside from quick coffee, toast, juice or fruit, breakfast is normally served once everyone is back in from the morning hunt. Breakfast burritos, waffles or western omelets are classic. Lunch is usually sandwiches, chips and salsa and other snacks. For dinner enjoy some Tex-Mex favorites such as BBQ Brisket, Cowboy Steaks, Axis Enchiladas or Fajitas! Cold drinks are always available.

Key Equipment Suggestions

This hunt only requires basic equipment. A day pack, 10x binoculars, rangefinder, thin pants and a sweater, comfortable walking boots, headlamp and flashlight, ballcap, sunglasses, perhaps some sunscreen or bugspray and a digital camera cover the essentials. Personal shooting sticks, rifle/bow are recommended but not necessary. Hunter orange is not required in Texas.