Nilgai Hunting

[jaker_cc]

Last spring break a few of us went on a nilgai hunt on the kenedy ranch. My cousin mark and i both killed really nice bulls with a rifle. Im the only bowhunter on that side of the family.

When i asked the guide about bowhunting he looked at me as if i was crazy. He said that there was no way to get within bow range of a mature bull. Being 17 and just a lil cocky i told him that he had never seen me stalk before and it would be no problem to get close enough to one for a shot..

Later that day i stalked in within 35 yards of a bull that many ppl would have been tickled to death with but i did it just to prove my pt. My question i guess is, has anyone hunted nilgai with a bow. And if so any advice would be great.

Thanks JAKE

[Randy]

You might ask Michael Middleton. If I remember right back some year ago he layed one down.

[ghenson82]

I guided many, many nilgai hunts a few years ago but never had anybody hunt with a bow. I'm like you, I usually laugh on the inside when somebody says "you cant hunt those/this area/coyotes/whatever with a bow". Nilgai are tough to hunt with a rifle, but you can stalk up on them if conditions are right (I did it in a light blue polo shirt and jeans one time).

My advice would be to hunt over a fence crossing, water, or dung pile, and use the wind. Use your heavy arrows and broad heads, and be ready for some longer shots. Just pretend you are setting up your bow to shoot something the size of a quarter horse! I dont know if you have seen a Nilgai cape, but the leather on a mature bull's neck is extremely thick, so I personally wouldnt take any shot but broadside or quartering away. Good luck.

[Txnrog]

4 Arrows used to run Nilgai bowhunts on the king/kennedy. They no longer operate, but saw many success pics, and read some good stories on it - mostly spot & stalk, or waterhole/fence crossing hunts. I shot one with a rifle many years ago, but had I been bow hunting, I might have had an opportunity or two. I believe the king runs some hunts that allow bow hunting.

[BO-N-ARO]

I talked with one of the game biologist that is over the hunting leases at the King Ranch and he told me of a "sure fire" way to bow hunt them. This is not to mention the best way..... set around a water hole and wait. The hotter the better.
He said that nilgai have a really bad habit. Every time the go under a fence.... they apparently do not jump them....... they will stop and "poo". He said you find a crossing and set up on the side with the larges and freshes pile of "poo" and wait in a tent blind or brush blind down wind. (Hope the "poo" isn't to fresh! ).
The King Ranch gets $1500 for a three day archery nilgai hunt. This includes a guide and lodging. They are using the old 4Arrows place. This gives you any nilgai you want. You can shoot an additional cow for $500 or another bull for $750. They tell me the meat is out of this world and they have repeat hunters that come down to shoot cows only.
PM me and I can give you the contact info. Now is the time to book for this May/June hunts.

[jaker_cc]

yea im all about the challenge of the hunt, the harder it is the more it draws me in. I had heard bout the "poo" piles but i didnt really believe it. Its different and all but that would be a great way to hunt them. We hunted water holes and fencelines when i went last time

[Txnrog]

Think of a 'poo pile' as a whitetail scrape but maintained year round. Many antelope that maintain territories use them to mark their area. That's why you often find them at fence crossings, and other high-traffic areas, that's their way of claiming their turff. Blackbuck and impala do the same thing.

[stuntriderant]

Ive hunted nilgai when i was about 16. I was put on a set up in a ground blind in an opening along a sendero. I all have to say is stick em low and make them bleed!!!! They are very tough and elusive!

[The Crippler]

An ocelot or a jaguarundi take down a nilgai?

[JHanchera]

Like said before, 4 arrows used to do it but they're no longer around anymore. Its something I've always wanted to do. With the right conditions you can get it done.