New Mexico Oryx Once in a Life Time Hunt

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Dunross said:
Why is there a huntable population of Oryx on the White Sands Missile Range?
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They were introduced as a game species in the late '60s. One interesting fact is that they have no natural predators in this country ( no lions!) so they did better than expected. About 25 years or so ago they started spreading outside the boundaries of the Missile Range and Ranchers and other landowners began to complain. They were considered Federal property and hunting them was not allowed. After a few years of that hunts on public land were started to control the ever growing population. These "off range" hunts are a regular draw hunt, not "Once in a Lifetime" like the White Sands hunts.
They are more difficult to hunt off range, they are much more dispersed and the military is not helping as they do on base. They are also more wary of vehicles which is not the case on range where there is substantial traffic. A good "accessory" when hunting off range is about an 8" stepladder. The rolling country is difficult to get a sight line in, a ladder in the bed of a truck gets you above the small dunes and hills allowing a way to glass for them. As with all other Antelope they have great vision and can be tough to stalk. You will see them 600 yds off, creep 200 yds up a draw, take a peek and they are 600 yds off! They also do not come to water like most species, most of their intake is in what they eat, so staking out a tank isn't very productive. And they don't migrate back and forth like deer or ELK, they tend to wander aimlessly everywhere. No game trails to follow or watch, their tracks are everywhere in every direction. Makes a challenge!
 
Juiceking said:
Ive heard either powerful general or science project...probably both lies but they thrive out here
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Neither...

Frank C Hibben was an avid big game hunter and the game and fish commissioner of New Mexico. He brought over several African species to NM and had them released in the 60’s for the purpose of developing hunting opportunities in NM. In fact he imported Oryx,Kudu and Barbary Sheep. The Kudu did not survive.

As mentioned above the state also released Persian and Siberian Ibex in NM.
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/download/education/conservation/wildlife-notes/mammals/oryx.pdf
 
Nice write up i like what you had to say... and your right about the ladders...ive been on 3 hunts 2 a long time ago and this year for mine and i never saw them previously...they also have these gravel covered small hills you can drive on top of and gives you some glass opportunities..
 
alsaqr said:
Congrats on the awesome Oryx.

Worked on the new firing ranges in 2010. Momma Oryx flattened a road grader tire when the machine came between her and the calf. .
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Hahah good story and ive never seen any young ones...thank you
 
They aren't just on the Missile Range anymore. They are outside the wire too. Actually, I watched a big one run full speed through the wire! Game and fish started having depredation hunts to control the spread since we don't have any lions (that may be the next import, lol). It's been awhile, but I used to run into them on a regular basis while hunting quail. My bird dog at the time, a chocolate lab named Murphy Brown, just loved them. She would try to get next to them whenever she saw them. I always called her off, That would not have turned out good.
 
H&Hhunter said:
Neither...

Frank C Hibben was an avid big game hunter and the game and fish commissioner of New Mexico. He brought over several African species to NM and had them released in the 60’s for the purpose of developing hunting opportunities in NM. In fact he imported Oryx,Kudu and Barbary Sheep. The Kudu did not survive.

As mentioned above the state also released Persian and Siberian Ibex in NM.
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/download/education/conservation/wildlife-notes/mammals/oryx.pdf
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Another good article and response... you think i would already know all this as long as ive lived hear...but learning has no age...i think it's true for Elk also... that they're not native and where brought here or am i wrong...good response though
 
HowieG said:
They aren't just on the Missile Range anymore. They are outside the wire too. Actually, I watched a big one run full speed through the wire! Game and fish started having depredation hunts to control the spread since we don't have any lions (that may be the next import, lol). It's been awhile, but I used to run into them on a regular basis while hunting quail. My bird dog at the time, a chocolate lab named Murphy Brown, just loved them. She would try to get next to them whenever she saw them. I always called her off, That would not have turned out good.
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No your right lab kabob would be terrible...As a hunter i love NM and our opportunities
 
Juiceking said:
Another good article and response... you think i would already know all this as long as ive lived hear...but learning has no age...i think it's true for Elk also... that they're not native and where brought here or am i wrong...good response though
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Not exactly,

Elk are native to NM but were market hunted to near extinction in the late 1800’s. They were then reintroduced, as they were in much of their traditional ranges across the west throughout the 1900’s. And of course they were reintroduced and managed thanks to hunters and the funds that we provide.

http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/download/education/conservation/wildlife-notes/mammals/elk.pdf
 
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I never knew they were out there! Really interesting. Sounds like a very cool hunt. I would worry with all the weird eco-suits these days that some environmental group would claim them non-native and demand the government remove them from federal grounds. We've seen plenty of so-called wild lands restoration projects which have done tremendous damage to animal populations like is happening right now with sheep and goats.

** edit fyi by eco-suit I mean the environmental lawsuits these groups bring under guise of helping nature which usually are just the opposite
 
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illinoisburt said:
I never knew they were out there! Really interesting. Sounds like a very cool hunt. I would worry with all the weird eco-suits these days that some environmental group would claim them non-native and demand the government remove them from federal grounds. We've seen plenty of so-called wild lands restoration projects which have done tremendous damage to animal populations like is happening right now with sheep and goats.
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You would have to be a really dedicated eco freak to even find your way out into the wilds of New Mexico to take a look. We are pretty out doorsy country here and we don't have huge cities anywhere.
 
H&Hhunter said:
Not exactly,

Elk are native to NM but were market hunted to near extinction in the late 1800’s. They were then reintroduced, as they were in much of their traditional ranges across the west throughout the 1900’s. And of course they were reintroduced and managed thanks to hunters and the funds that we provide.

http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/download/education/conservation/wildlife-notes/mammals/elk.pdf
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Ahh another interesting read thank you very much awesome
 
illinoisburt said:
I never knew they were out there! Really interesting. Sounds like a very cool hunt. I would worry with all the weird eco-suits these days that some environmental group would claim them non-native and demand the government remove them from federal grounds. We've seen plenty of so-called wild lands restoration projects which have done tremendous damage to animal populations like is happening right now with sheep and goats.

** edit fyi by eco-suit I mean the environmental lawsuits these groups bring under guise of helping nature which usually are just the opposite
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I agree with Howie..we're a unique place i would be surprised if many eco warriors even know about our Gemsbok
 
Oryx 002.JPG
Juiceking said:
They are impressive..just not something you ever see running around while hunting...thanks for the article about gemsbok and White Sands...i had never read that before
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Congrats, Juiceking, great bull you got there. Yes, they are great eating, African plains animals usually don't have that gamey taste North American game does. Am still waiting to get my tag drawn for White Sands, although I did get one on Ted Turner's Armendaris Ranch, photo above, a 'little' 30 inch bull. My guide said they sometimes find dead mountain lions on the horns of an Oryx, apparently in Africa lions go after them from the throat, here mountain lions jump on their backs, where the Oryx can just jerk their head back and boink them with their horns. The guide also said occasionally Oryx will be killed by stepping on unexploded ordnance in White Sands.

Supposedly there are more Oryx in NM than in the Kalahari region of Africa where they're from. I've heard of them being sighted off range as far north as Mountainair, NM.

They are very tough animals, and have a relatively small kill zone compared to elk. Bring your big gun if you're going to hunt them. They are said to be the only hoofed animal to ever kill an African lion.
 
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hq said:
Nice and tender like most antelopes. Even the old 40" bull I shot was great, even though the PH kept telling me that younger ones are so much better. My personal favorites of African game meat are wildebeest, eland and kudu, in that order. Giraffe is a real "experience", just not a pleasant gustatory one. Think rancid fat-flavored chewing gum. :eek:
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I've heard warthog is great, have you had that?
 
Patocazador said:
I had read the actual story about 40 years ago and, if I remember correctly, gemsbok (oryx) and Persian ibex were released by the New Mexico game dept. to fill a void in areas that didn't hold any native big game animals. The gemsbok went to White Sands and the ibex went to the Florida Mountains.

H&H Hunter here hunted the ibex when he was younger and everyone who has had to bust their butts since those mountains are so steep and treacherous. Evidently, the oryx hunt is easier.
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You don't want to eat Ibex, a guy told me once he had one head mounted and the mount still stunk two years later. Barbary Sheep either, from my experience at least.
 
Paul7 said:
View attachment 961589

Congrats, Juiceking, great bull you got there. Yes, they are great eating, African plains animals usually don't have that gamey taste North American game does. Am still waiting to get my tag drawn for White Sands, although I did get one on Ted Turner's Armendaris Ranch, photo above, a 'little' 30 inch bull. My guide said they sometimes find dead mountain lions on the horns of an Oryx, apparently in Africa lions go after them from the throat, here mountain lions jump on their backs, where the Oryx can just jerk their head back and boink them with their horns. The guide also said occasionally Oryx will be killed by stepping on unexploded ordnance in White Sands.

Supposedly there are more Oryx in NM than in the Kalahari region of Africa where they're from. I've heard of them being sighted off range as far north as Mountainair, NM.

They are very tough animals, and have a relatively small kill zone compared to elk. Bring your big gun if you're going to hunt them. They are said to be the only hoofed animal to ever kill an African lion.
Click to expand...
Thank you, Congratulations beautiful animal and nice back story...i didnt know Ted ranch has oryx...whats the rifle
 
Paul7 said:
View attachment 961589

Congrats, Juiceking, great bull you got there. Yes, they are great eating, African plains animals usually don't have that gamey taste North American game does. Am still waiting to get my tag drawn for White Sands, although I did get one on Ted Turner's Armendaris Ranch, photo above, a 'little' 30 inch bull. My guide said they sometimes find dead mountain lions on the horns of an Oryx, apparently in Africa lions go after them from the throat, here mountain lions jump on their backs, where the Oryx can just jerk their head back and boink them with their horns. The guide also said occasionally Oryx will be killed by stepping on unexploded ordnance in White Sands.

Supposedly there are more Oryx in NM than in the Kalahari region of Africa where they're from. I've heard of them being sighted off range as far north as Mountainair, NM.

They are very tough animals, and have a relatively small kill zone compared to elk. Bring your big gun if you're going to hunt them. They are said to be the only hoofed animal to ever kill an African lion.
Click to expand...

I don't know who they is, but Cape Buffalo and Sable Antelope kill lions too.
 
Paul7 said:
View attachment 961589

Congrats, Juiceking, great bull you got there. Yes, they are great eating, African plains animals usually don't have that gamey taste North American game does. Am still waiting to get my tag drawn for White Sands, although I did get one on Ted Turner's Armendaris Ranch, photo above, a 'little' 30 inch bull. My guide said they sometimes find dead mountain lions on the horns of an Oryx, apparently in Africa lions go after them from the throat, here mountain lions jump on their backs, where the Oryx can just jerk their head back and boink them with their horns. The guide also said occasionally Oryx will be killed by stepping on unexploded ordnance in White Sands.

Supposedly there are more Oryx in NM than in the Kalahari region of Africa where they're from. I've heard of them being sighted off range as far north as Mountainair, NM.

They are very tough animals, and have a relatively small kill zone compared to elk. Bring your big gun if you're going to hunt them. They are said to be the only hoofed animal to ever kill an African lion.
Click to expand...

I’d have an extremely hard time believing there are more Oryx in NM than in the Kalahari region of Africa. They might be confusing scimitar horned oryx with common oryx. There are far more scimitar in the US than in Africa. I’ve been on ranches in the Kalahari that have hundreds and hundreds of oryx roaming about. I could be wrong but it would be really surprising to me if that was the case.

Lions are killed by oryx but they are not the “only” hoofed animals that kill lions. I’ve seen film of a zebra killing a lion with a lucky kick.

To answer your question about warthog, I’ve eaten plenty of warthog. They are awesome!
 
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