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I might be going to Texas for business in April 2014. I've had a hankering for stalking blackbuck for some years.
Does anyone have any recommendations for free-range exotics, especially blackbuck? Options for self-guided are interesting as well. I'll be in the San Antonio area.
Thank you in advance.
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I'm not from Texas, so I have no personal knowledge other than what I have read. The vast majority of Texas is private land (90%?). I would be surprised if there is such a thing as free range blackbuck. Google an outfitter and you're off to the races.
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Yes, there are free range blackbuck hunts in Texas, I've done it and have a friend that guides a few of these hunts each year.......I sent him a link to this thread.
Cancer Sucks
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I'm not from Texas, so I have no personal knowledge other than what I have read. The vast majority of Texas is private land (90%?). I would be surprised if there is such a thing as free range blackbuck. Google an outfitter and you're off to the races. Just because it's on private land doesn't mean it's not free range. In the hill country there are lots of free range exotics on private land that are not behind a fence. Most likely for blackbuck you are going to have to go out to the hill country which is North / NW of San Antonio. South of San Antonio in the brush country you really aren't going to find as many exotics as the hill country. You can find exotics in a lot of places but the highest concentration will be there. If you are searching on the internet try areas around Kerrville, Llano, Mason, San Saba etc....just to give you an idea. You never know what you are going to see out in that part of the world that is free range. One day I had to stop and let a cape buffalo cross the road. Depending on when you come there's a good chance that will be turkey season if you want to try for a turkey, and a fair number of places will be full of turkey hunters.
Last edited by NathanL; 02/25/13.
Otto is my co-pilot.
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Guys thank you for your impute. I've only done a little duck hunting in Texas outside of Dallas, no exotic hunting. The geographic information is really helpful.
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Trip timing is a little off in my opinion.
The blackbucks tend to rut in the fall, getting darker black hides then. The axis tend to be hard horned in the summer.
I have seen some free range black buck, but not as many as axis.
I would look for a turkey/hog hunt that time of year. Plenty of both.
Good luck and don't be hesitant to hunt on a large ranch that is high-fenced (not free range). I have hunted both and fences were not an issue if the pasture is big enough.
Hope you get a real recommendation. These are just my thoughts on exotics/spring hunting in TX.
stumpy
Last edited by stumpy; 02/25/13.
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Thanks again for the details. I'm sorta stuck working around a work trip for mid-April.
I'm not too interested in axis I hunt them all the time here in Hawaii. But blackbuck have been on my want list for sometime.
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Thought this thread needed a picture -  This one from near Fredericksburg ![[Linked Image]](http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh214/BoiseRick/Blackbuck.jpg)
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Campfire 'Bwana
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That's a beauty!
Chasseur, in the San Antonio area, I recommend you contact Mike Stroff IV of SOE Ranch (and Savage Outdoors) he has some nice ones and tell him I sent you to him. jorge
A good principle to guide me through life: “This is all I have come to expect, standard lackluster performance. Trust nothing, believe no one and realize it will only get worse…”
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Thanks again for the details.
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Reach out to MuleyMike here on the CampFire. He puts together various hunts including exotics in Texas. I hunted with him a couple of years back.
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Thought this thread needed a picture - This one from near Fredericksburg Oh man that's a beauty!! The blackbuck is on my list in a few years.
He went over yonder way
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Wow. That is a beast. How many inches?
Nice cape.
stumpy
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Thank you gents for information. That is a handsome blacbuck! Here's my best Hawaii axis: ![[Linked Image]](http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL301/2025534/9208268/339441817.jpg)
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I'm not from Texas, so I have no personal knowledge other than what I have read. The vast majority of Texas is private land (90%?). I would be surprised if there is such a thing as free range blackbuck. Google an outfitter and you're off to the races. Just because it's on private land doesn't mean it's not free range. In the hill country there are lots of free range exotics on private land that are not behind a fence. Most likely for blackbuck you are going to have to go out to the hill country which is North / NW of San Antonio. South of San Antonio in the brush country you really aren't going to find as many exotics as the hill country. You can find exotics in a lot of places but the highest concentration will be there. If you are searching on the internet try areas around Kerrville, Llano, Mason, San Saba etc....just to give you an idea. You never know what you are going to see out in that part of the world that is free range. One day I had to stop and let a cape buffalo cross the road. Depending on when you come there's a good chance that will be turkey season if you want to try for a turkey, and a fair number of places will be full of turkey hunters. This - The Harper/Castell country has more free range exotics than I've seen anywhere. Lots of exotics also west of Brady headed to Angelo too and all the country in between -
- Greg
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Wow. That is a beast. How many inches?
Nice cape.
stumpy
? He is 21 inches tall. The ranch owner had a 23 inch ram from his place.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. Albert Einstein
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He really is a nice looking blackbuck.
"Be sure you're right. Then go ahead." Fess Parker as Davy Crockett
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Chasseur...I live in the Texas Hill Country and there are plenty of free ranging blackbuck, axis, etc around here. Hell, I regularly see axis in my back yard. Most of these animals originated at the YO Ranch many years ago. It has become a pretty lucrative business for many land owners.
You shouldn't have any problem finding a hunt west of San Antonio during your trip. Google is your friend...you will find plenty of information. Also, you can check with the local Chambers of Commerce in towns like Junction, Fredericksburg, and Kerrville. They normally have lists of local ranchers/outfitters. Hope this helps.
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Again thank you all for your advice!
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I have seen all kinds of animals when hunting in TX, hogs, axis,
I have talked to other guys who have seen ostrich, bison, etc.
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