My daughter drew an off-range Oryx tag! Now what? Any help or suggestions are welcome. I'm probably going to hire an outfitter, so recommendations are appreciated.
No advice or information for you, but damn excited for you. This will be a cool experience.
The beauty of an off range tag is that the hunt is a month long. Triple C Outfitters
https://www.nmelkhunts.com/new-mexico-oryx-hunts/
It can be a tough hunt off-range, but they are there and some ranches do guided hunts, I believe. I lived in Alamogordo for over 10 years and was able to kill three while I lived there. They were all range hunts. One was a non-typical once-in-a-lifetime hunt and two were depredation hunts. Back then, they cost me $41 plus the gas. There was no range fee, etc.
You will find that they have as good of meat as you have ever eaten. They are a very pretty trophy animal, also. I just did Euros and got the hides tanned for mine.
Oryx (gemsbok) are very tough animals and their vitals are shoved ahead of where they are with deer. etc. You need to shoot pretty tight against the front leg-if not through the front leg. They can take a poor shot and go for a long way. Use quality bullets. I was using Barnes, during the time that I had my hunts.
Good luck. If you have issues finding a place for a hunt, get ahold of the NM Game and Fish.
Awesome! Congrats! What month?
Grats! I drew 15 plus years ago, stallion range, February hunt. Back then there were a lot of oryx down on the flats. Pretty stupid, folks flying around and slinging lead. Bout noon pard and I drove up to the base of the mountain range that runs through the stallion range, spotted a big lone bull all by himself. Made a stalk and killed him at 475 yards, 338 win mag 225 interloks. Ended up 36” x 8” which ended up gold medal I believe. Fun hunt, if numbers are similar to when I was down there, 2 days is plenty of time. Make sure you don’t give the meat away, excellent table fare. 👍
Shiit my bad, see you drew the off range oryx tag. Sure you guys will have fun. 👍
Join a Facebook group called
New Mexican oryx hunters
Someone can help you score.
Gg, you have experience with triple C?
As stated use quality bullets and shoot them on the shoulder not behind..........Tough SOB's but fanstastic to eat.
It is better to shoot a little lower than high as vitals are typical of an african plains game animal.
August will be hot as hell and they dont water every day. Use onyx maps and talk to the people that own or lease the land.
They will be a huge help.
Good luck with the hunt and please let her practice off of sticks ......a lot.
Regards
John
It’s all been said already. You got good advice. Just practice, practice, practice your shooting because you do not want a marginal hit. They will go a long way after soaking up a lot of lead. Uniquely fun experience with some gorgeous beasts. Good eating too. Good luck.
Bump.
I’ve narrowed it down to 2 or 3 outfitters but it seems like there are many with a good reputation. Any more input before I make final decisions?
Good luck with the hunt. Oryx is a helluva hunt and the meat is tasty as hell.
I also drew an Oryx tag after years of trying. Splat is going with me so no worries as its an on range hunt. I found this page on FB to be extremely useful on shot placement and I have an email in to a shop in South Africa about getting some anatomically correct targets so I can practice. I found some other targets here in the US that show the vitals but at $150, its more than I want to spend for sure....
http://www.gcarchery.com/2012/04/10/african-game-image-roll/https://www.facebook.com/passionateabouthunting/posts/480626832095139
I suggest that you buy the book "The Perfect Shot" by Dr. Kevin Robertson. It will show you shot placement and the overlay of the vital organs on the photograph.
I'm all for knowing where the vitals are for sure, but don't make it harder than it is. I've killed about 10 oryx in Namibia. If you punch through the shoulder about 1/3 way up, you're golden every single time. When hit in the right place they die just as quick as everything else. Stout bullets are the key IME.
Thanks. That will be helpful to discuss with my daughter.
I'm all for knowing where the vitals are for sure, but don't make it harder than it is. I've killed about 10 oryx in Namibia. If you punch through the shoulder about 1/3 way up, you're golden every single time. When hit in the right place they die just as quick as everything else. Stout bullets are the key IME.
LOL. I've been thinking the same thing. I know they are tough, but they weigh 400 lbs and have a heart and lungs just like any other warm blooded critter...... I figure a well placed Accubond or TTSX should put them down nicely.