| See temporary closures and business changes, Texas Farm and Ranch Land Conservation Program. Optimal calibers like .338 – .375 are perfect.

If you are looking for an african style hunt, go hunt with Lendell. [7], The scientific name of the nilgai is Boselaphus tragocamelus.

[22] Fossils of Protragoceros and Sivoreas dating back to the late Miocene have been discovered not only in Asia and southern Europe but also in the Ngorora formation (Kenya) and are thought to belong to the Boselaphini.

[43] Preferred grass species include Cenchrus species, Cynodon dactylon, Desmostachya bipinnata, Scirpus tuberosus and Vetiveria zizanoides.

The maximum weight recorded is 679 lb. As typical of several bovid species, nilgai calves are kept in hiding for the first few weeks of their lives.

They are grazers and browsers, with grass as the main source of their diet. [2], While females and juveniles are orange to tawny, males are much darker – their coat is typically bluish grey.

[26] Evidence suggests that they were hunted by humans during the Mesolithic period (5,000 to 8,000 years ago).

[37], The maximum recorded length of the skull is 376 millimetres (14.8 in). The Nilgai is active mainly during the day.

For the Belgian Blue Bull, see, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, "Synopsis of the species of antelopes and strepsiceres, with descriptions of new species", Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, "An account of a quadruped brought from Bengal and now to be seen in London", "DNA systematics and evolution of the artiodactyl family Bovidae", "Evolutionary affinities of the enigmatic saola (, "The Bovidae (Mammalia, Artiodactyla) from the late Miocene of Akkas¸dag˘i, Turkey", "A multi-locus species phylogeny of African forest duikers in the subfamily Cephalophinae: Evidence for a recent radiation in the Pleistocene", American Journal of Physical Anthropology, "Late Miocene Boselaphini (Bovidae, Artiodactyla) from Fugu, Shaanxi Province, China", "Pleistocene cave fauna from peninsular India", "Albinism in the Blue bull or Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas, 1766)", "Aids to the identification of artiodactylan hairs with general comments on hair structure", "Food habits of nilgai antelope in Texas", "Niche relationships of an ungulate assemablage in a dry tropical forest", "The Wild Animals of the Indian Empire and the problems of their preservation.

[78] The nilgai was not widely hunted until the 20th century, when habitat degradation and poaching became rampant. [84][85] I will hunt with you again! [57], Observations of females in southern Texas revealed that ovaries are developed by two years of age and the first birth takes place typically a year later, though in a few cases females as young as one-and-a-half years may mate successfully.

Fortunately not overrun with these animals, the Mariposa Ranch has healthy herds that roam freely. The animal’s hide is extra thick, not unlike that found on wild boar. The lifespan of the nilgai is around ten years. In southern Texas, it roams in the prairies, scrub forests and oak forests. The Nilgai Antelope is native to countries of the Himalayan Mountains and most common in India, Pakistan and Nepal.

[60] The major reasons behind its decimation in these two countries and extinction in Bangladesh are rampant hunting, deforestation and habitat degradation in the 20th century. Please call us for availability and more information on this awesome hunting opportunity. [39], The nilgai is diurnal (active mainly during the day). Sign up! Have that thrilling hunting adventure you have long been yearning for. The Nilgai Antelope is a challenge to hunt. Another hunting option is to hunt Nilgai during their rut when, like most animals, they become less concerned with caution. Alarmed juveniles below 5 months, give out a coughing roar that lasts half a second but can be heard by herds less than 1,600 ft away. Texas Location: Brackettville RanchCountry of Origin: India, Pakistan, NepalName Variations: Blue Bull, Niglai, Nilgau. [30] Females can breed again around a year after parturition. BuckTrader is home to a diverse selection of Nilgai available for sale. [33] The hairs, typically 23–28 centimetres (9.1–11.0 in) long, are fragile and brittle. The passages nilgai create by digging under fences are widely used by native species—bobcats, deer, coyotes, javelinas—and are possibly a vector for the spread of wild boars and diseases that affect other animals. The meat has a mild flavor with a good texture, much like veal.

Our South Texas Free Roaming Nilgai Hunts take place on 30,000 acres of private land located in Kenedy and Willacy Counties on the Coastal Plains of South Texas. [51] The nilgai can survive for long periods without water and do not drink regularly even in summer. Sexual dimorphism is prominent – while females and juveniles are orange to tawny, adult males have a bluish-grey coat.

[79][80][self-published source] The meat of nilgai is said to be lighter and milder flavoured than blackbuck meat. In Bihar, authorities have classified the nilgai as vermin.

[84] The Uttar Pradesh government has given farmers and firearm licence holders the right to cull the animals.

An exotic hunting adventure awaits you at 303 Ranch Outfitters with our Texas Nilgai Hunting trips. [67] Major protected areas for the nilgai across India include: Gir National Park (Gujarat); Bandhavgarh National Park, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanha National Park, Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, Panna Tiger Reserve, Pench Tiger Reserve, Sanjay National Park, Satpura National Park (Madhya Pradesh); Tadoba Andhari Reserve (Maharashtra); Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Sultanpur National Park in Gurgaon, Ranthambore National Park and Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan).

[31][77] The nilgai is rarely consumed by Hindus due to its religious significance. [7] Males weigh 109–288 kilograms (240–635 lb); the maximum weight recorded is 308 kilograms (679 lb).

Mating may occur throughout the year, with peaks of three to four months. These steps include electro-stimulation immediately after harvest, dry aging followed by wet aging for approximately two weeks, and then flash freezing. They were hunted in the Mughal era (16th to 19th centuries) and are depicted in numerous miniatures. In Texas, they eat mesquite, oak, partridge peas, croton, nightshade, and a variety of grasses.

Their meat is divine with a flavor milder than beef. [1] While it is common in India, the nilgai occurs sparsely in Nepal and Pakistan. [96] As the name "nilgai" appeals to the religious sentiments of Hindus, the Government of Madhya Pradesh has sought to officially rename it as rojad (Hindi for "forest antelope") and the Government of Haryana to rename it as roze in a bid to make their culling acceptable. Though generally quiet, Nilgai has been reported to make short guttural grunts when alarmed, and females to make clicking noises when nursing young. This breeding season usually occurs from November through to April. We make your dream hunt a reality, call our office today. [44], Gestation lasts eight to nine months, following which a single calf or twins (even triplets at times) are born. This period of concealment can last as long as a month in Texas. [44], In India, the nilgai shares its habitat with the four-horned antelope, chinkara, chital and blackbuck; its association with the gaur and the water buffalo is less common. It is difficult to account for the animals being thus so widely divided from their usual haunts unless as has been generally supposed, these Southern specimens are the progeny of a semi-domesticated herd, which, at some by-gone period, had escaped from the preserve of a native potentate. Tragelaphini consists of two genera: Taurotragus (eland) and Tragelaphus. The nilgai is the sole member of the genus Boselaphus and placed in the family Bovidae.

The process is not as elaborate in the females as it is in the males. The Nilgai hunt takes place on the historic H. Yturria Ranch near Raymondville in lower South Texas. They can live up to 20 years in the wild. [25], Remains of the nilgai dating back to the Pleistocene have been discovered from the Kurnool caves in southern India.

[7][29] It stands 1–1.5 metres (3.3–4.9 ft) at the shoulder;[30] the head-and-body length is typically between 1.7–2.1 metres (5.6–6.9 ft). Have thick hides and leave little to no blood trail.

[35] In Bharatpur National Park (Rajasthan, India) the breeding season is from October to February, peaking in November and December. These fights are characterised by displays of the enlarged chest, the throat patch and the beard while holding the head upright; and threatening the opponent by running with the horns pointed toward him and circling him. They have a very muscular front to their body and are designed for running up mountains and jumping from rock to rock. [75] On being disturbed while hunting nilgai, the Mughal emperor Jahangir recorded his ire:[76]. In a 2004 study in the Sariska reserve, twins accounted for as high as 80 percent of the total calf population. Mature females average 300 to 400 pounds while mature bulls will get close to 700 pounds. Bremer: 956.367 1291 cell 956.944.2766 home P.O. For centuries Indian villagers have associated the nilgai with the cow, a sacred animal revered by Hindus, and the name ("gai" means "cow" in Hindi) indicates the similarity they saw with the cow. [2] Though sedentary and less dependent on water, nilgai may desert their territories if all water sources in and around it dry up. The state forest department has claimed to have begun an investigation to find those responsible. Part 2", "Delhi's heat wave kills Nilgai in Dwarka", "Notes on the food habits of nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus", "Nilgai antelope in northern Mexico as a Possible Carrier for Cattle Fever Ticks and Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina", "Environment ministry may allow hunting of 'nuisance' wild animals", "This vet treats 700 wild patients a year! Females become sexually mature by two years, while males do not become sexually active until four or five years old. [50] The protein content of the nilgai's should be at least seven percent. Box 180 Port Mansfield, Texas 78598 Javalina Hunt • Gate fee $250.00, plus $100.00 per Javalina. This first pair did not yield any offspring, so a decision was made to obtain 5 bulls and 7 cows from the San Diego Zoological Garden.

See our list for Nilgai Hunting ranches, guides, outfitters, leases and land for sale.

[2], A sturdy thin-legged antelope, the nilgai is characterised by a sloping back, a deep neck with a white patch on the throat, a short mane of hair behind and along the back ending behind the shoulder, and around two white spots each on its face, ears, cheeks, lips and chin. [20] Fossil relatives were once placed in the subfamily Cephalophinae[21] which now contains only the African duikers. Groups are generally small, with ten or fewer individuals, though groups of 20 to 70 individuals can occur at times.

[61], Population densities show great geographical variation across India. Enjoy complimentary food and 3-nights lodging during the 2.5 day hunt.

It is also a must to have well-constructed bullets that provide adequate bullet expansion, at the same time, retaining most of the bullet mass. We have been harvesting nilgai antelope for over 30 years. Nilgai have been considered a pest in several north Indian states, as they ravage crop fields and cause considerable damage. In Asia, they eat mainly woody plants.

The permanent teeth get degraded with age, showing prominent signs of wear at six years of age.

Woody plants eaten include Acacia nilotica, A. senegal, A. leucophloea, Clerodendrum phlomidis, Crotalaria burhia, Indigofera oblongifolia, Morus alba and Zizyphus nummularia; herbs favoured are Cocculus hirsutus, Euphorbia hirta and Sida rhombifolia. [6][17] This tribe originated at least 8.9 million years ago, in much the same area where the four-horned antelope lives today, and may represent the most "primitive" of all living bovids, having changed the least since the origins of the family.