Cow Nilgai on the King Ranch.

[Migolito]

I just got back form a Cow Nilgai hunt on the famous King Ranch. What an incredible place, and what great folks. I used my 280AI 150 TTSX @ 3000fps with a complete pass through. The hole in the photo is the exit! I hit both lungs and put a track through the bottom of the Spine and this Cow ran 40 yards before piling up. These Nilgai are significantly tougher than any elk I've ever shot (my son shot one also) and much more aware that an elk. Very difficult to sneak on and they will spot you @ a mile. The females are about 300+ pounds. Great eating

 

[243Lapua]

I got a freind that's a guide at that ranch. Goes by the name Wayo. Good guy all around. He recently gave me a taste of some summer sausage made out of some Nilgai meat with chedder. Very tasty.

 

[JackT]

Back in the late 70s/early 80s I worked on the King Ranch as a construction engineer for Exxon, part of my responsibilities was maintaining 800 miles of roads, thus i drove almost every mile on the ranch. What a beautiful place, and the ranch personnel were great to work with, a true reflection of South Texas character where honesty and fairness were valued.

Many of day I would stop and watch the Nilgai down on the south end of the Ranch. Once the Nilgai realized they were spotted, you could not predict what would come next, they were like giant antelopes on drugs. Protocol was too stop your truck so if they ran into the side of you, you could plead zero responsibility. What a beautiful place and a great place to work.

Now I want to go chase a King Ranch hunt for my son.

 

[wboggs]

I just got back form a Cow Nilgai hunt on the famous King Ranch. What an incredible place, and what great folks. I used my 280AI 150 TTSX @ 3000fps with a complete pass through. The hole in the photo is the exit! I hit both lungs and put a track through the bottom of the Spine and this Cow ran 40 yards before piling up. These Nilgai are significantly tougher than any elk I've ever shot (my son shot one also) and much more aware that an elk. Very difficult to sneak on and they will spot you @ a mile. The females are about 300+ pounds. Great eating View attachment 1390023View attachment 1390024

How far away were you and did you have any trouble getting in range?

 

[Migolito]

How far away were you and did you have any trouble getting in range?

My guide and I snuck up on a meadow, and he peaked around a bush always watching the wind. My Cow was standing in 5' brush, nibbling on a tree with her back towards us. He sets down the sticks and whispers "cow". I look, and look, and look....all told maybe 7 seconds in total although it seemed a lot longer. Finally, I see the back of her hear @ 40 yards. Thats all that was visible. I steadied on the sticks and waited for her to turn. When she stood broadside her shoulder was visible and I shot. She had no idea we were there. My son's Nilgai was bedded @ 200 yards and he and the guide were watching a Bull that was high-tailing away from them. The Cow, that they didn't yet see, stood and looked at the running bull. My son said he had just about 1.5 seconds to shoot. He and his guide pulled the sneak on several Bull/cows before he was able to get a shot. They are skittish! Mine was just excellent guiding and luck.
Off the sticks I am good for 300 yards on my gong...so, I set my limit to 200 yards on an animal.

 

[wboggs]

My guide and I snuck up on a meadow, and he peaked around a bush always watching the wind. My Cow was standing in 5' brush, nibbling on a tree with her back towards us. He sets down the sticks and whispers "cow". I look, and look, and look....all told maybe 7 seconds in total although it seemed a lot longer. Finally, I see the back of her hear @ 40 yards. Thats all that was visible. I steadied on the sticks and waited for her to turn. When she stood broadside her shoulder was visible and I shot. She had no idea we were there. My son's Nilgai was bedded @ 200 yards and he and the guide were watching a Bull that was high-tailing away from them. The Cow, that they didn't yet see, stood and looked at the running bull. My son said he had just about 1.5 seconds to shoot. He and his guide pulled the sneak on several Bull/cows before he was able to get a shot. They are skittish! Mine was just excellent guiding and luck.
Off the sticks I am good for 300 yards on my gong...so, I set my limit to 200 yards on an animal.

I like your hunting ethics. Sounds like they are fun to hunt.

 

[Migolito]

I process my own game. So, picture in your mind two guys driving 22 hours from Nilgailand to Cali. I had my Van with a 10qf freezer and a 150 quart ice chest. King ranch has ice and the guide (and I) quartered up both animals. They barely fit! Yesterday, we completed the cut up and vacuum packing. Lotsa of steaks, lotsa grind and lotsa roasts and a few slabs of ribs.

Today, I'm doing some breakfast sausage....Ill post up