Typical Day & Tactics

Arrive to the ranch in time to settle in, enjoy a nice dinner. Wake up before dawn, grab breakfast and jump into the outfitters rigged-out 4×4 truck with plans to be in the specific hunting area by sun up.

When conditions are prime, say during the rut, hunts are generally conducted by vehicle-assisted spot & stalk. First-time Nilgai hunters will quickly appreciate these antelope for their keen senses and near impeccable camouflage. A few failed stalks later confirm it. Nilgai are difficult to get close to! Adaptive tactics include sitting over a crossing or feeding area, or the willingness to take quick, moving or brushy shots. Outside the rut, or as needed, thermal night stalking can be an effective strategy. And in the summer, waterhole hunting is an excellent way to see nilgai at close range, especially for archery hunters. It should be noted that Nilgai are incredibly tough, and little short of a perfect shot will bring one down quickly.

Each mature bull has a unique look. Some are silver, some are nearly all black. Others are the classic grizzled blue, but body shape and big triangular horn bases are the best indicators of age when judging a trophy. Horns in the 7–9-inch range are very respectable. 10-11+ inches is an SCI monster. Fortunately, the outfitter and his guides specialize in Nilgai, and assist in the judging process. Come late morning, head back to the lodge for lunch and a nap, until its time to venture out again for the evening.

While adding a second Nilgai is possible, other free-ranging native and exotic species are sure to be encountered on this hunt. Open year-round, hunters can expect to bump into trophy Scimitar-horned Oryx and Javelina, available as targets of opportunity on a trophy fee basis. Whitetail season peaks November through January, and can also be added to any Nilgai hunt during those overlapping months.  In addition, wing shooting and fishing opportunities can complement any South Texas safari! Doves, Quail, and Waterfowl are all available in the fall and early winter, and the nearby Gulf coasts is another great year-round resource. Popular inshore fishing targets Red Fish, Speckled Sea Trout, and Flounder in the warm shallows of Laguna Madre. But Tuna, Spanish Mackerel, Dorado and Billfish can all be had offshore.

Upon success, Nilgai are often kept whole and taken directly to a combination taxidermy studio and meat processing facility. There is no additional price for the delivery, and all preparations for meat & trophies can be made directly and simultaneously. If planning on caping, quartering or processing your Nilgai yourself, the ranches are equipped with winched gambrels and walk-in coolers where clients are welcome to store their Nilgai until the hunt concludes. These unique antelope sport beautiful grizzled capes, with characterizing scars and makings, and the venison might be some of the world’s best!

Landscape & Climate

This is a land of thick, flat South Texas scrub, mainly mesquite or oak tangles which provide these species the exceptional cover they need to thrive. The scrub opens into mixed grassy meadows with scatterings of wildflowers, Yuccas, and prickly pears, giving way to open pasture and worked crop fields. The many Sendero’s provide wide viewing and shooting lands through the thick scrub. An assortment of migrant birds thrive here throughout the winter months, and other iconic species like diamondback rattlesnakes, roadrunners, javelina, armadillos live here year-round.

Since Nilgai season is open year-round, the weather can vary greatly depending on the time of year. The summer months can understandably get quite hot, calling for midday siestas. During the winter rut, conditions can turn quite cool in the morning or evenings, and the leafless vegetation allows for greater visibility.

Meals & Accommodations

These hunts are based from several private ranch-style lodges, usually on active working ranches in remote south Texas. AC, private bedrooms and bathrooms, common lounge, dining areas, porches, fire pits, full kitchens, fridges, freezers, and catered meals provide all the comfort for hunters. Also, enjoy the remote and private setting directly in the hunting area. Cell phone service or wifi is available at most locations.

Breakfasts are quick, usually comprised of breakfast burritos, bacon, coffee, tea, or juice to get hunters out the door. Lunch is usually back at the lodge where fresh tortilla chips and home-made salsas are made daily, along with local finger foods and other snacks. For dinner enjoy some classic Tex-Mex favorites such as Nilgai Enchiladas or Fajitas, various handmade tacos, or steak night, usually served with beans, rice, and fresh guacamole. Cold drinks are always available.

Equipment List

This hunt only requires basic equipment. A small day pack, 10x binoculars, rangefinder, suitable layered camo clothing, comfortable hiking or snake boots, headlamp and flashlight, ballcap, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellant, a hunting knife, and digital camera covers the essentials. Personal shooting sticks, rifles/bows can be recommended. Hunter orange is not required.