I would love to do this hunt one of these days. Is there a TBH group that could use another hunter?
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Nilgai Time = King Ranch Time
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Originally posted by rladner View PostI would love to do this hunt one of these days. Is there a TBH group that could use another hunter?
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Originally posted by Landrover View PostSir please accept my apologies. I had gotten your PM and totally forgotten. We hunted the NORIAS unit about 235,000 acres for bowhunters. Our drive from Houston area was an easy 4 hours with a stop in Kingsville at the Whataburger before meeting Joey our guide. We (3 of us) were the only bowhunters out there...…….been that way for 3 years actually. Oscar did not come out this year, but Joey did a great job getting us on stands. Morning hunts continued to be slow...…..fence lines are not as productive as waterholes. We all passed on one morning hunt and slept in. We all passed on the last days hunt also...……...we were wore out and packed our gear. Every night we got back to the camp around 10:30 pm.
Don't totally remember but I think the 3.5 day hunt was about $2,300 or $2,800 this year...…..that includes a BULL and a female. You can pay for additional nilgai if you see a bigger one or just want more meat. Tons of hogs, especially around waterholes. Saw quite a few coyotes but none got within bow range this year. They provide nice lodging and we brought our own meals/drinks, etc. You are allowed to bring a camp cook if you have one......we are not that fancy. We are re-booked for next year as once you give up your dates it is difficult to get back on the books. I am not sure why they don't take on more bowhunters as the place is immense in size...…...and the animals are definitely there in large numbers...…...approximately 40,000 nilgai on all units combined of the KING RANCH with zero high fences!!!
One waterhole in the evening I had 73 nilgai . Some as close as 15 yards, some hung up around 140 yards. I never saw less than 20 nilgai. Trying to get the best shot on a big bull is tough nontheless. Heck, it is even hard to figure out which one is bigger as it is difficult to see the chevron size at the base of their horns.
Overall, it is a must do hunt for a bowhunter. Be ready to sweat, long days, lots of snakes if stalking(Rob nearly stepped on one while tracking his bull), and good meat! I don't see myself doing this hunt for 10 plus years straight like my buddy but it is a good way to fill in the bowhunting lull!!!!
Thank you Oscar!!! You shot your bull in the first evening right? How long do you typically sit each hunt? How tough is it to draw when they come in?Last edited by IDFWU; 05-24-2018, 12:06 PM.
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Originally posted by IDFWU View PostYou shot your bull in the first evening right? How long do you typically sit each hunt? How tough is it to draw when they come in?
We left camp at 3 pm. Settled in by 3:45 pm and sit till pitch dark in evenings. 4 hours or so. Morning leave at dark and sit about 4 hours. I use the same techniques I use when hunting any mammals...…...draw when they are looking away or hidden behind another animal, or head down.Last edited by Landrover; 05-24-2018, 12:13 PM.
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Originally posted by IDFWU View PostThanks Oscar...and thanks for the tips on packing for SA.
If you are going back to the King Ranch next year and need an extra hunter, let me know. I may be interested.
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