I'm debating on going after nilgai next year and was wondering if a nilgai bull or bull elk would taste better!?

Both are really good. Nilgai is about the closest thing to elk I have ever tasted. Completely different type of hunting though. I say go for it.

Well, both animals are awesome. But consider this : you can probably take 3 trophy Nilgai for what it will cost to take 1 trophy elk. And you don't ever have to leave Texas.

Yeah... but a trophy nilgai still looks like an overgrown goat and a trophy elk is well... a trophy elk

That's just condescending. But, If I were to mount one of them, I have to agree 100%.

Good point. Cost is also a very good variable in this decision.

On the question: Elk tastes amazing. Nilgai tastes amazing. However, they are different. How? I'm not exactly sure, . Haven't had elk in a while, but it's very similar to Red deer, which is very similar to axis, which are both cheaper that both of these trophies. Meat wise, shoot a red hind. Point being you don't base this kind of a hunt solely on meat.

Shoot an elk

shoot two axis

Financially speaking you will get about the same amount of great tasty meat . Both offer a great hunt . If those two things only the nilgai hands down. But if it's the wow factor in your trophy roon Elk.

I had Elk and Axis but from what I heard Nilgai meat tops them all. On a side note Axis is way better than Elk to eat.

Also, if you're going for a thrilling hunt, I would do the elk hands down. Both are very elusive creatures, but there are few things better in this life than chasing a herd of elk in the Rocky Mountains. It is something that every hunter should experience. If you're just planning on hunting an HF ranch in Texas, just go with the nilgai.

Both are fun and challenging in a free range setting but like mentioned before totally different styles of hunting.

I have had nilgai and it was great but I have also had elk that grazed off of alfalfa and chili pepper fields its entire life
and hands down better than nilgai. Quality elk hunts are only climbing higher in price so that is something to consider too.
Do it before they get out of reach.

Good luck with your decision.

Are you hunting for meat? Lots of great deals out there for a cow elk hunt. I've shot a fair number of elk, so going for the Nilgai would be my choice. But that would be for a mount on the wall more then eating.

Eddie

I'm wanting a trophy hunt. I think I'm just gonna end up elk hunting this fall and going after nilgai in February.. Now I just need to find an elk outfitter..

If you have never been elk hunting I would suggest doing that. It is something that everyone should experience at least once in their life. Even a horrible trip ends up being a success just from the experience of being in the mountains. I don't know if you are planning to bow or rifle hunt but I saw a couple of elk hunts posted in the Guides and Outfitters forum that looked good. If money is not an issue I would look into LOH outfitters in New Mexico. I doubt you could get a trip booked for this year but could for next year. They have great success on high quality bulls. Joseph Graham Outfitters is also a top outfitter in New Mexico to check into. Good Luck

Oh money is an issue!! Lol I'm gonna try to do both within the next 8 months..

Shoot and eland best meat, more meat, and can do it right here in Texas as well

I have a place in mind for eland BMD but I want a real hunting experience.. All the eland I've seen in texas ranches were like pets..

If trophy elk is your goal you may want to stick with nilgai. They're going to have some age to them and unless you're sticking one with an arrow it's going to be a rutted bull.

come hunt eland with us then, my personal eland was after a total of 17 hunts including spot and stalks and still had to sit in 100 degree heat for 8 hours before getting the shot off. We dont hunt pets.

If you comparing hunting experiences, there is no comparison between the two. Go elk hunting.

The public land nilgai hunts are very challenging. One is mountain hunting the other is swamp. I've actually done both.

I like elk taste better. Nilgai to me tastes like a low grade beef roast

I've eaten both elk & nilgai & I know there are a lot of environmental factors involved, but to me, elk is hands down better meat. But I'll have to agree with:

Probably why my buddy ground 2 into sausage. I really couldn't tell the difference when I've eaten it, but hard to dbl battered & fried.

I would go with the axis route but I eat a lot of game. I shot a mature bull elk last December and I'm almost out of meat already..

Kind of late for booking an elk hunt for this year if you want to hunt them in the wild. Tags are limited draw for the better areas and private land tags sell quick if the hunting is good on that land. You are getting down to that time when what's left is going to be hit or miss, or just the bottom of the barrel.