New Mexico Oryx Once in a Life Time Hunt

[Paul7]

Thank you, Congratulations beautiful animal and nice back story...i didnt know Ted ranch has oryx...whats the rifle

The rifle is a 1968 Sako Finnbear in .30-'06 with Zeiss Conquest 3x9 scope, 24" barrel. I've since had the stock refinished and a new Sako recoil pad put on. I took a cow elk with it last Tuesday here in NM.



The Armendaris Ranch hunt was pricey, but at my age there's no guarantee I'll ever draw the White Sands once on a lifetime hunt. I hear you have about a 5% chance of doing so each year, not like it was in the early days. It was quite an experience, my guide and I were the only ones hunting on the 362,000 acre ranch that day.

See https://www.tedturner.com/turner-ranches/turner-ranch-map/armendaris-ranch-new-mexico/

I believe there are several hundred Oryx on it, and Buffalo and Desert Bighorn sheep. My hunt was delayed a few days because a guy was hunting Desert Bighorn there, guess they didn't want us to bump into each other, lol. Lots of quail too, Ted is big into that and has a house on the property.

 

[HowieG]

'They' is the LA Times, about on par for their accuracy rate if Cape Buffalo and Sable kill lions to.

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-feb-25-mn-30068-story.html

Oryx are certainly the only wild North American hoofed animal capable of killing an African lion.

LA times. They wouldn't know an Oryx if one trotted in and tried to place an ad.

 

[HowieG]

'They' is the LA Times, about on par for their accuracy rate if Cape Buffalo and Sable kill lions to.

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-feb-25-mn-30068-story.html

Oryx are certainly the only wild North American hoofed animal capable of killing an African lion.

Weeeeeelllllll, maybe not? https://www.texashuntlodge.com/hunt...e,which makes it a suitable trophy year round.

Sable in Texas. Cape buff too. Asian water buff in Texas and Florida. What do you think about Bison? Maybe, maybe not. They are certainly big enough. Alaskan moose? Maybe. They handle the big bears.

 

[Speedo66]

It was quite an experience, my guide and I were the only ones hunting on the 362,000 acre ranch that day. See https://www.tedturner.com/turner-ranches/turner-ranch-map/armendaris-ranch-new-mexico/

Rhode Island covers 1,214 square miles…. or - 776,960 acres. So Ted Turners ranch is almost half the size of Rhode Is. That's impressive.

KY also has elk and bison, and there is an elk quota hunt..

 

[Paul7]

Weeeeeelllllll, maybe not? https://www.texashuntlodge.com/hunting-packages/sable-hunts#:~:text=Sable Hunting in Texas - Texas Hunt Lodge,which makes it a suitable trophy year round.

Sable in Texas. Cape buff too. Asian water buff in Texas and Florida. What do you think about Bison? Maybe, maybe not. They are certainly big enough. Alaskan moose? Maybe. They handle the big bears.

Really, there are wild, free ranging Sable, Cape Buffalo and Asian water buffalo in North America? I don't think Bison or Moose and African lions have ever confronted each other.

 

[Paul7]

Rhode Island covers 1,214 square miles…. or - 776,960 acres. So Ted Turners ranch is almost half the size of Rhode Is. That's impressive.

It is, his Vermejo Park Ranch alone is 590,000 acres, he owns a total of 1,150,000 acres in NM.

 

[HowieG]

Really, there are wild, free ranging Sable, Cape Buffalo and Asian water buffalo in North America? I don't think Bison or Moose and African lions have ever confronted each other.

They are as wild and free ranging as the missile range Oryx are. They certainly don't let you hunt domestic animals. Actually, you can hunt Oryx in Texas also. The only difference I see is that you pay a lot more for those big private ranches than you do for a Missile Range hunt.

Wasn't the discussion about hoofed game that could take a lion, or was it about the ones that have met a lion? The New Mexico Oryx are generations old and have never met a lion either. I am wondering about a bull moose or a bull bison. They are both pretty darned big. Bison run bigger than Capes. I guess we need to import a pride of lions and drop them on the missile range. A once in a lifetime draw hunt for lion. That would be something. I'll hold out for a depredation hunt.

 

[Paul7]

They are as wild and free ranging as the missile range Oryx are.

The missile range is only one spot in NM they are, Oryx aren't fenced at the Armendaris Ranch, or at least no fence that can stop an Oryx, and there are a lot of other off range Oryx as far north as 60 miles south of Albuquerque, and into West Texas living in the wild. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are no wild, free ranging Cape Buffalo, Sable or Asian water buffalo in Texas.

The only difference I see is that you pay a lot more for those big private ranches than you do for a Missile Range hunt.

That and you can actually hunt them anytime you want to pony up the money.

Wasn't the discussion about hoofed game that could take a lion, or was it about the ones that have met a lion? The New Mexico Oryx are generations old and have never met a lion either.

Their cousins in Africa have, so we don't have to speculate.

 

[HowieG]

The missile range is only one spot in NM they are, Oryx aren't fenced at the Armendaris Ranch, or at least no fence that can stop an Oryx, and there are a lot of other off range Oryx as far north as 60 miles south of Albuquerque, and into West Texas living in the wild. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are no wild, free ranging Cape Buffalo, Sable or Asian water buffalo in Texas.



That and you can actually hunt them anytime you want to pony up the money.



Their cousins in Africa have, so we don't have to speculate.

The Texas ranches manage their populations so they do have a rationed number of hunts based on that. Money is most things, but still not everything, luckily.

 

[Paul7]

The Texas ranches manage their populations so they do have a rationed number of hunts based on that. Money is most things, but still not everything, luckily.

Amazing what all you can hunt at those TX ranches.

 

[HowieG]

Amazing what all you can hunt at those TX ranches.

And Florida. The Asian species are big down there including water buff, sambar, axis deer and the like.

 

[LNF150]

That is pretty frickin' awesome!!! Congratulations!! I lived and worked down in that area for 10 years, never could score that or an elk tag. Ex wife sends me pictures of those Orxy standing outside her place down by Chaparral NM, told me to come on back to shoot one. Told her the $1,650 dollar out of state for private land tag was too steep for me.

 

[hps1]

The missile range is only one spot in NM they are, Oryx aren't fenced at the Armendaris Ranch, or at least no fence that can stop an Oryx, and there are a lot of other off range Oryx as far north as 60 miles south of Albuquerque, and into West Texas living in the wild. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are no wild, free ranging Cape Buffalo, Sable or Asian water buffalo in Texas.

Free ranging? How many acres constitute free ranging? ETA: This is a question for my own edification. I have always considered the exotics on these three ranches to be free ranging because, while they are confined by the border fences, they are free to roam the entire acreage within, and in S. TX brush country, they can sure make themselves scarce . These are not pen raised, wild animals, similar to those on White Sands, and a far cry from those pen raised animals released into small, fenced pastures just prior to a "hunt".

I help w/ADC on three family owned non-contiguous ranches which cover over 21,000 acres, each high fenced. The largest is 11,000+ acres of S. Tx brush country w/a healthy variety of exotics, which include Eland, Sable, Roan, Kudu, Scimitars, Lechwe, Nilgai, Waterbuck & Zebra roaming freely within the boundary fence.






Love to photograph the wide variety of wildlife on these ranches. It's amazing how many exotics' curiosity gets the best of when they hear a coyote call (circled) vvv. Arrow points out the wildebeest bull that led stampede to call.

 

[hps1]

The smallest ranch, consists of 5,400 acres and boasts healthy herds of Gemsbok, Springbok, Wildebeest.

They are as wild and free ranging as the missile range Oryx are. They certainly don't let you hunt domestic animals. Actually, you can hunt Oryx in Texas also. The only difference I see is that you pay a lot more for those big private ranches than you do for a Missile Range hunt.

In addition to native game, have hunted Eland, Gemsbok, Nilgai and Scimitars on these 3 ranches.

34" Gemsbok bull ^^^^^^_________________ 38" Gemsbok cow ^^^1900# Eland Bull ^^^
30" Scimitar cow vvv_______ Typical herd of Scimitars vvv________ 37 1/2" Scimitar cow vvv


Regards,
hps

 

[Paul7]

Free ranging? How many acres constitute free ranging? ETA: This is a question for my own edification.

If you're asking me I would say not fenced. There is about a 300 mile stretch from about an hour south of Albuquerque to West Texas where wild, free-ranging, unmanaged Oryx can be found, and other areas with Barbary Sheep and Ibex.

I have always considered the exotics on these three ranches to be free ranging because, while they are confined by the border fences, they are free to roam the entire acreage within, and in S. TX brush country, they can sure make themselves scarce . These are not pen raised, wild animals, similar to those on White Sands, and a far cry from those pen raised animals released into small, fenced pastures just prior to a "hunt".

I help w/ADC on three family owned non-contiguous ranches which cover over 21,000 acres, each high fenced. The largest is 11,000+ acres of S. Tx brush country w/a healthy variety of exotics, which include Eland, Sable, Roan, Kudu, Scimitars, Lechwe, Nilgai, Waterbuck & Zebra roaming freely within the boundary fence.View attachment 963038



View attachment 962921View attachment 963039
View attachment 962923View attachment 962924
View attachment 962925 View attachment 962926 View attachment 962927 View attachment 962928
Love to photograph the wide variety of wildlife on these ranches. It's amazing how many exotics' curiosity gets the best of when they hear a coyote call (circled) vvv. Arrow points out the wildebeest bull that led stampede to call.
View attachment 962929View attachment 962930

Amazing, thanks for sharing. I would never call those hunts not a 'real' hunt just because they are fenced as some would, they are truly wild animals. Did you ever get a Nilgai? I hear those are good eating.

 

[Juiceking]

If you're asking me I would say not fenced. There is about a 300 mile stretch from about an hour south of Albuquerque to West Texas where wild, free-ranging, unmanaged Oryx can be found, and other areas with Barbary Sheep and Ibex.



Amazing, thanks for sharing. I would never call those hunts not a 'real' hunt just because they are fenced as some would, they are truly wild animals. Did you ever get a Nilgai? I hear those are good eating.

So first off great photos and yes Texas is a special place for hunting but its different..my hunt was a once in a life time public draw hunt...its 150$ for resident if you draw + 100 base access fee...this was my 2nd year putting in for it so really lucky..but where they mostly hang out on White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) is a lot of typ 3 strand barb wire so they could all leave...some have which is why we now have like 3 public draw hunts off range you can put in for yearly.. just smaller herds harder to find.....so Texas gemsbok hunt is different because these are large ranches with fence preventing game from leaving but you typically get huge variety of game to choose from, going to cost a lot more than mine but its guaranteed they have those animals there its still hunting...i have bow friends that just wouldn't have many opportunities without Texas hunts..its a cool place to hunt if you have $$$....but if you're releasing animals into a small fenced-in pasture to shoot thats not hunting...something totally different

 

[hps1]

If you're asking me I would say not fenced. There is about a 300 mile stretch from about an hour south of Albuquerque to West Texas where wild, free-ranging, unmanaged Oryx can be found, and other areas with Barbary Sheep and Ibex.

Amazing, thanks for sharing. I would never call those hunts not a 'real' hunt just because they are fenced as some would, they are truly wild animals. Did you ever get a Nilgai? I hear those are good eating.

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, they are excellent table fare. As a (deer) lease member, we were allowed to take cow nilgai, and occasionally female Scimitars to help keep those herds in balance. Bulls are guided hunts only.

Gotta be really careful in determining sex before shooting either. Mature bull Nilgai are black, but young bulls are brown, as are the cows. A "button" can only be seen from full broadside view at normal shooting ranges.

Mature bull ^^_Mature (pregnant) cow ^^^ If she were not pregnant, I would not shoot this one as it would be easy to overlook a button at this angle. Button would be more visible at angle of the hanging cow on the right.


Only sure way to establish sex of Scimitar is their plumbing. To illustrate difficulty, the nearest oryx above is a bull. His plumbing can be seen above the base of the young bull behind him. They don't stand still long and high grass can make it impossible to be sure. The right hand one could be a cow, based on the longer, slender horns, but I would not take the shot without absolute identification.

I would rate Eland tops, Gemsbok very close 2nd, Scimitar and Nilgai tied for 3rd. They are all very lean and have no "game" taste.

Have never shot one, but was given a Zebra backstrap once and was very pleasantly surprise...it was very good!

Regards,
hps

 

[Patocazador]

Free ranging? How many acres constitute free ranging? ETA: This is a question for my own edification. I have always considered the exotics on these three ranches to be free ranging because, while they are confined by the border fences, they are free to roam the entire acreage within, and in S. TX brush country, they can sure make themselves scarce

I can't agree with you on that. The only exotic I ever "hunted" was at Thompson Temple's place in the hill country. Although they have miles to range in, they hang out at tanks and will sometimes come towards a truck because trucks on most ranches offer supplement feed.

I shot an axis deer near a watering tank and Thompson kept saying, "Shoot, shoot, he's a trophy." I made a routine 75 yard shot and he dropped. "Oh, they are usually much harder to kill. What a great shot."
I got the impression that the buck would have walked up to the truck if I had dropped the tail gate.

 

[hps1]

I can't agree with you on that. was at Thompson Temple's place in the hill country. Although they have miles to range in, they hang out at tanks and will sometimes come towards a truck because trucks on most ranches offer supplement feed.

I shot an axis deer near a watering tank and Thompson kept saying, "Shoot, shoot, he's a trophy." I made a routine 75 yard shot and he dropped. "Oh, they are usually much harder to kill. What a great shot."
I got the impression that the buck would have walked up to the truck if I had dropped the tail gate.

That would leave a bad taste in my mouth, as well, but that's all on individual ranch management and on your "guide" (apparently the owner). As you stated, it was the only exotic you ever "hunted" but fortunately all ranches are not operated in that manner. So sad, but definitely not hunting.

I've hunted on these three ranches for 16 years; totally different management. There are no supplemental feed trucks, furthermore there is no hunting allowed in vicinity of water tanks. All the critters do run when they see or hear a vehicle, but they run in the opposite direction! I was on foot when I took all of these pictures.



As in your case, Pato, my exotic hunting has all been on this one family operation, and I am so happy that there is no similarity to the experience you had. I'm sure there are other operations out there that offer honest to goodness hunting experiences, as well.

ETA: Did a little research and see where you're coming from, Pato. No similarity at all between the two operations.

As we got back down, the two guys from TX and one of the guys from the Colorado Casa were seated at the blind/bench that overlooked the creek and the “Trophy pen”. The “Pen” as we called it was a 60 acre high fenced portion of the ranch that Thompson had a large amount of tagged rams in. There was no tags as well, but most had tags. He also had 3 red deer he had just bought and 2-3 large whitetail bucks in the pen with the rams. Since we lucked out before lunch and after we fed Thompson lunch, he decided to guide us in the “Pen” to get our two no tags.
https://davidthehunter.wordpress.co...ompson-temple-ram-hunts-near-barksdale-texas/

Regards,
hps

 

[HowieG]

All of those pictures are just super. I think we can probably all agree that the bottom line is that we have some great hunting opportunities in this country and that you can pick based upon what you are able and willing to pay. If you just an ordinary schmo like me, an in state missile range hunt is perfectly affordable, but there are hunts in Texas and other places that are a pretty good deal if you shop around and aren't necessarily looking for a trophy to mount.

As far as free ranging goes, that's any distance that I can walk in an average day. That distance, and the average day, gets shorter by the year for me!

 

[Juiceking]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, they are excellent table fare. As a (deer) lease member, we were allowed to take cow nilgai, and occasionally female Scimitars to help keep those herds in balance. Bulls are guided hunts only.

Gotta be really careful in determining sex before shooting either. Mature bull Nilgai are black, but young bulls are brown, as are the cows. A "button" can only be seen from full broadside view at normal shooting ranges.
View attachment 963112 View attachment 963113 View attachment 963114
Mature bull ^^_Mature (pregnant) cow ^^^ If she were not pregnant, I would not shoot this one as it would be easy to overlook a button at this angle. Button would be more visible at angle of the hanging cow on the right.

View attachment 963115 View attachment 963116
Only sure way to establish sex of Scimitar is their plumbing. To illustrate difficulty, the nearest oryx above is a bull. His plumbing can be seen above the base of the young bull behind him. They don't stand still long and high grass can make it impossible to be sure. The right hand one could be a cow, based on the longer, slender horns, but I would not take the shot without absolute identification.

I would rate Eland tops, Gemsbok very close 2nd, Scimitar and Nilgai tied for 3rd. They are all very lean and have no "game" taste.

Have never shot one, but was given a Zebra backstrap once and was very pleasantly surprise...it was very good!

Regards,
hps

Wait a minute hold the phone...that thing on back of jeep and truck is what i need!!! Did you make it, buy it..any more pics..i could have seriously used something like your animal jack on my oryx hunt..please more info

 

[hps1]

All of those pictures are just super. I think we can probably all agree that the bottom line is that we have some great hunting opportunities in this country and that you can pick based upon what you are able and willing to pay. If you just an ordinary schmo like me, an in state missile range hunt is perfectly affordable, but there are hunts in Texas and other places that are a pretty good deal if you shop around and aren't necessarily looking for a trophy to mount.

As far as free ranging goes, that's any distance that I can walk in an average day. That distance, and the average day, gets shorter by the year for me!

, Howie! Never was too concerned about trophy hunting, that's why I lost interest in deer hunting. Coyotes are much more of a challenge and more exciting to me, then take an occasional exotic to fill the empty freezer floats my boat. No records here, just lots of fond memories.


At 84 YOA, the jeep may be out of sight, but just barely! That may have an influence on my definition of free roaming. Still long to get outdoors, just not able as often as I once was.

We are truly blessed in this country to have a wide range of hunting opportunities to fit just about every hunter's means, expectations and abilities. Terms like "free roaming" and "canned hunts" are just that....terms.

The WSMR hunt sounds like a really great opportunity with the bonus of hunting Gemsbok on their native terrain. The last time I was at Bliss was in 1961 or 62 with 49th AD AMU for a regional rifle match. Stayed in the transient quarters. The mess hall there displayed a plaque "The Best Mess Hall in USCAC" (if I got the initials correct), and they lived up to expectations. Talked to the mess Sgt. and he sent a crew to Donna Anna range for our team. Dug a pit and grilled steaks for us! Great chow, but we didn't make any points with the other teams, though.

Good hunting, and Merry Christmas to all!

ETA:

Wait a minute hold the phone...that thing on back of jeep and truck is what i need!!! Did you make it, buy it..any more pics..i could have seriously used something like your animal jack on my oryx hunt..please more info

I built it...will start another thread on that so as not to hijack the Oryx thread.

Regards,
hps

 

[Paul7]

View attachment 963383, Howie! Never was too concerned about trophy hunting, that's why I lost interest in deer hunting. Coyotes are much more of a challenge and more exciting to me, then take an occasional exotic to fill the empty freezer floats my boat. No records here, just lots of fond memories.
View attachment 963384

At 84 YOA, the jeep may be out of sight, but just barely! That may have an influence on my definition of free roaming. Still long to get outdoors, just not able as often as I once was.

We are truly blessed in this country to have a wide range of hunting opportunities to fit just about every hunter's means, expectations and abilities. Terms like "free roaming" and "canned hunts" are just that....terms.

The WSMR hunt sounds like a really great opportunity with the bonus of hunting Gemsbok on their native terrain. The last time I was at Bliss was in 1961 or 62 with 49th AD AMU for a regional rifle match. Stayed in the transient quarters. The mess hall there displayed a plaque "The Best Mess Hall in USCAC" (if I got the initials correct), and they lived up to expectations. Talked to the mess Sgt. and he sent a crew to Donna Anna range for our team. Dug a pit and grilled steaks for us! Great chow, but we didn't make any points with the other teams, though.

Good hunting, and Merry Christmas to all!

Very true about being blessed with hunting opportunities here, in Europe it is a rich man's game. If I ever got a hankering to hunt a number of exotics I'd go to a place like your TX source way before I went to Africa, much less hassle and you get to keep the meat. Yes, the WSMR is a great opportunity to have a unique big game hunt experience for many otherwise unable to afford it, for those lucky enough to get drawn. I'm still waiting for that to happen to me.

 

[Juiceking]

View attachment 963383, Howie! Never was too concerned about trophy hunting, that's why I lost interest in deer hunting. Coyotes are much more of a challenge and more exciting to me, then take an occasional exotic to fill the empty freezer floats my boat. No records here, just lots of fond memories.
View attachment 963384

At 84 YOA, the jeep may be out of sight, but just barely! That may have an influence on my definition of free roaming. Still long to get outdoors, just not able as often as I once was.

We are truly blessed in this country to have a wide range of hunting opportunities to fit just about every hunter's means, expectations and abilities. Terms like "free roaming" and "canned hunts" are just that....terms.

The WSMR hunt sounds like a really great opportunity with the bonus of hunting Gemsbok on their native terrain. The last time I was at Bliss was in 1961 or 62 with 49th AD AMU for a regional rifle match. Stayed in the transient quarters. The mess hall there displayed a plaque "The Best Mess Hall in USCAC" (if I got the initials correct), and they lived up to expectations. Talked to the mess Sgt. and he sent a crew to Donna Anna range for our team. Dug a pit and grilled steaks for us! Great chow, but we didn't make any points with the other teams, though.

Good hunting, and Merry Christmas to all!

ETA:


I built it...will start another thread on that so as not to hijack the Oryx thread.

Regards,
hps

Awesome ill be looking forward to it

 

[Juiceking]

A 38-incher too, wow! Congrats! Nice trophy! I had to travel 13 hours on a plane, five hours on a truck and several hours on foot for mine. Oryx is a funny animal, it looks way better as a shoulder mount than it ever did when it was alive. I'm not sure if I need new glasses but their body composition reminds me of a hog and not an antelope, but the head sure is pretty.

Hello i have a question....i had a friend recently tell me i was exaggerating my oryx horn length, left horn measures 38 1/16 and right horn was frayed and splintered measures 37 1/4...friend says you go by lower number so 37" Bull is more accurate....i realize its kind of like who cares but at the same time i want to know if that's true or not...so long story, if you know, how do you determine correct horn length