I am thinking about trying to hunt oryx in New Mexico, any info,thoughts, or recomendations would be appreciated. Thanks!

http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us


Here is the New Mexico G & F website.

what do you want to know? There are opportunities on and off range, look at the proclamation and if you still have questions PM me.

It's a hard tag to draw, start applying.

I'd like to know a couple of things myself.
1. Assuming I don't draw, can I still hunt oryx in NM with LO permit?
2. Assuming I get a LO permit, is it good only for the same seasons as dictated by NM F&G?

1. Yes
2. The LO authorization/lic. is good for 30 days and has to follow the same as the off range dates.

Thanks!

Yes, and got a LOT harder a few years ago...

I am 12-0 as a resident once-in-a lifetime/ Depredation. Good luck and if drawn, it is the best meat a person can eat!

Geezuz! Over $1600 for non resident? You could fly round trip to S. Africa for that....and you don't have to wait for the lottery.

And you don't get to bring the meat home, which is why I want to hunt one here. I've shot 3 of them in Africa. I'm well aware what that costs.

You can fly to S Africa, and get a hunt and trophy fee to shoot one for under 1600? I would be amazed.

I"m with JG though, one reason I hunt is to enjoy the meat. Africa would not allow that.

rost495, I realize the restrictions on meat tansport and not suggesting one can partake in an all inclusive hunt to SA and back for $1600, just questioning the state of NM for such high non resident fees.

That is a real concern susequent to them having drastically reduced their numbers in recent years after complaints by ranchers.

Supply and demand my friend! It is sad but hunting will never get cheaper.....

How much time and money do you have?? With the Outfitter well-fare system in NM, if you sign on with a outfitters and apply for a off range hunt, you'll almost certainly draw a tag.

Off range hunts are fun, but you need to devote a lot of time and fuel to the adventure. If you've got the time, I'd recommend this approach.

I've heard the Stallian range has a lot of broken horns on it and the quality has gone down. Hunting on base can be nerve racking as well if they have operations and your hunt is cut short.

What's the favored way for a great experience & representative head; on or of White Sands?

If Ya score a White Sands tag can you bring a spotter (observer w/o tag)?

I drew the Stallion Range on White Sands back in 2011. I had a decent hunt I guess, but not as good as I had expected. I never thought I'd hunt Africa at that time, but in the last 3 years I have gone on 6 safaris in 3 different countries taking almost 100 animals, many of them gemsbok.

I can't really speak of the off range hunts except to say that I have heard it can be a rather tough hunt taking lots of time.

I took a observer, unless something has changed they just have to go through the same background check as the hunter.

As mentioned, the off range hunts have gotten pretty tough. The on range hunts are not what they use to be either.

If I were traveling far, I would go on range or a ranch hunt.

Yes, you can bring a visitor.

I would just stay there until I got it all ate up

If someone told me I could go over to NM and shoot an oryx for $1600 and take the meat home, I'd be there tomorrow.

I agree with JGRaider. That meat is the best.

Man! I'm glad that I got mine years ago when I lived there. I killed one once-in-a-lifetime Oryx and two on depredation hunts on the range. The last depredation was for a great bull on Stallion Range that they were afraid was going to tear down some fence. That is the best meat in the world as far as I am concerned. Cool critters.

Each hunt cost me $41 and a little gas.

Did you just decide one day that Africa was your new interest?

Last few years the on-range population ran around 1500 down from a high of 2500-3500. An important factor was a prolonged-killing freeze a few years ago that killed a whole age class of oryx. Now you see lots of broken horn and "mulie" ( no ear) animals as a result. Having said that I still saw multiple trophy animals while driving the range. Management of the oryx seems to also depend on the attitude of the Commander, some seem to like the oryx around and others not so much. Still a great hunt but you have to work a bit harder

You're officially banned.......from the WORLD!😆

I started working in Africa a little over 3 years ago. With my transportation already paid for, I decided to book a safari...

The rest is history.

A couple years ago I know you could bring two non hunters, I believe it's three now.

I've hunted em twice.
Wife and I had a wonderful time.
The meat is awesome. No matter the cut, it's all tender, and gamey taste free. Surprising, for what they eat.

lol!

FWIW, the on-range population "high" was actually 5,000 or so - at least it was 15 years ago when I talked to the WSMR biologist on my OLT hunt. That's when they really started to ramp up the permit numbers.

I don't know that the freeze (which was fairly recent) affected the herd numbers as much as the increased hunting did. I did hear that the freeze contributed to more broken horned animals.