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Feb 12th, 2024
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 Nilgai Question
#8233979
04/12/21 08:46 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
Dave Scott
OP
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OP
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Posts: 1,331 |
They don't have very large horns, so..what's the deal? Is the meat good?
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8234011
04/12/21 09:17 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,482
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,482 |
the meat is good and they are a large animal providing a lot of good meat.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: kmon11]
#8234017
04/12/21 09:28 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,015
skinnerback
THF Celebrity Chef
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THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,015 |
the meat is good and they are a large animal providing a lot of good meat. Very good meat.
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8234026
04/12/21 09:36 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,231
Creekrunner
THF Celebrity
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Posts: 25,231 |
One of the earliest exotics brought into the state. They've been here so long, they're part of South Texas. They're huge and can take a decent size bullet and still run off. Not everything is about the size of the horns. I've shot a grysbok and his horns are about 1&1/2".  Also have a Common Dieker, a Klipspringer, and a Steenbok. Tiny guys. I might go after a "scrum cap" Cape Buffalo someday. (Both horns brok EN off.) 'Sign of a true Warrior.
...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8234082
04/12/21 10:08 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 429
Exiled
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 429 |
Excellent meat and can be a tough, challenging hunt depending on circumstances. My good friend and I hunted them last year and shot two bulls, after gutting, skinning and deboning we had almost 500 lbs. of great meat from those two bulls left. My family and I ate Nilgai almost the entire pandemic! 
"Who Dares, Wins"
Instagram: @HCConnected
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8234239
04/13/21 12:40 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,987
Michael W.
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,987 |
Excellent eating animal. One of the best of all wild game animal that I had.
A clear conscience is often the sign of a fuzzy memory.
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8234424
04/13/21 03:13 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,158
ErikL
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,158 |
agree with above comments. A must!
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8234502
04/13/21 10:20 AM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,149
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,149 |
Excellent meat and a worthy adversary. Belief mine - nilgai hunting is the closest to safari style you can get in Texas.
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8234751
04/13/21 02:48 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
Dave Scott
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OP
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Thanks to all. Since it is not a "trophy" hunt but a meat hunt, I personally like to test out weapons. In other words if my go to is a Remington 700 30-06 and I know I can kill game with it, if I'm after a trophy I want everything as sure as can be BUT if it's a "meat" hunt then, can it be made more interesting using a crossbow or flintlock, etc.? When you say "hunt", what is the typical situation? Are you in a tree stand over a feeder or do you actually get out there and move around? Stalk heavy cover? Glass open areas? I know nothing about how to hunt them. What are some of the choices on a hunting weapon you think appropriate? Thanks.
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8234770
04/13/21 02:57 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,946
Buzzsaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,946 |
I'm planning a Nilgai hunt for this fall. I dont like hunting in 90* weather. But I'm old and phat 
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8234943
04/13/21 05:12 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 24
Baumwoll
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 24 |
The only exotic I would say tastes better to me would be a eland, Nilgai provide excellent table fare, a challenging spot and stalk hunt on a very hardy animal , relatively low cost of commercial guided hunt, and a bull with proper hide colorations can make beautiful and unique mount (even the European mounts look wicked)
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Creekrunner]
#8235179
04/13/21 08:53 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 36
T_J
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 36 |
I might go after a "scrum cap" Cape Buffalo someday. (Both horns brokEN off.) 'Sign of a true Warrior.
Yes sir! ![[Linked Image]](https://i.imgur.com/j43MCv3l.jpg)
-TJ
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8235192
04/13/21 09:12 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 62
Hatton Ranch
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 62 |
Great meat and a fun hunt! ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2021/04/full-52646-290549-img_3035.jpg)
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8235792
04/14/21 01:07 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,671
Txhunter65
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,671 |
Thanks to all. Since it is not a "trophy" hunt but a meat hunt, I personally like to test out weapons. In other words if my go to is a Remington 700 30-06 and I know I can kill game with it, if I'm after a trophy I want everything as sure as can be BUT if it's a "meat" hunt then, can it be made more interesting using a crossbow or flintlock, etc.? When you say "hunt", what is the typical situation? Are you in a tree stand over a feeder or do you actually get out there and move around? Stalk heavy cover? Glass open areas? I know nothing about how to hunt them. What are some of the choices on a hunting weapon you think appropriate? Thanks. Are you saying you are going on a meat hunt not a trophy hunt or are you saying that because the horns are not large comparatively speaking that makes it a meat hunt and not a trophy hunt?
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8236380
04/14/21 08:38 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
Dave Scott
OP
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OP
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Posts: 1,331 |
Well.......sort of. I realize any animal can be a trophy. A caribou has huge horns, even a so-so would still put a lot of "horn" on the wall. On the actual hunting- it sounds like stalking is a common method?
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8236465
04/14/21 09:44 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,015
skinnerback
THF Celebrity Chef
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THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,015 |
On the actual hunting- it sounds like stalking is a common method? Yes. Spot & stalk, hunting over dung piles and water holes, and safari style (driving around & shooting from vehicle/most common method). Less common is spot lighting them.
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8236475
04/14/21 10:01 PM
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 640
intohunting
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 640 |
This photo shows both a euro and a shoulder mount. If the horn length is on on the short side, you might want to consider a euro mount. Both displays are great at showing off your 'trophy'. ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2021/04/full-65064-290751-nilgai_mount_euro_mount.png)
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8237306
04/15/21 02:49 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
Dave Scott
OP
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OP
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Actually, they are a pretty neat looking critter. I like the shoulder mount.
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8237382
04/15/21 03:33 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 429
Exiled
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 429 |
There is definitely a trophy component to hunting Nilgai bulls, the size of the animal and even the length of the horns vary pretty dramatically. Some of those old bulls are HUGE, super wily and have longer, sharper horns.
"Who Dares, Wins"
Instagram: @HCConnected
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8237560
04/15/21 05:20 PM
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 640
intohunting
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 640 |
Actually, they are a pretty neat looking critter. I like the shoulder mount. Yep. Besides tasty table fare, what's not to like. They (kind of) look like a combination of several species (greyish elk head, mountain goat horns and a turkey beard).  ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2021/04/full-65064-290909-nilgai_wall_ped.png)
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8237625
04/15/21 06:30 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,946
Buzzsaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,946 |
Thats a beautiful mount !!
Where is the "hold" spot on these? I hear their vitals are a little further forward than the whitetail?
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8237765
04/15/21 08:19 PM
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 640
intohunting
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 640 |
I stole this pic from TexasBowhunter.com, but the nilgai anatomy is similar to african game as the lungs/heart are further up front in the chest cavity. Nilgai vitals are tucked behind the shoulder and bulls are front heavy so taking out his shoulder is paramount. Where the "X" on the pic is where the blade meets the leg bone. Break that and he can't run and it'll send bone fragments into heart/lungs with the bullet. You want to break down the shoulders so it doesn't wander off. That 3/4" hide is very elastic and will close over a bullet hole leaving little sign of a blood trail. Most outfitter require a minimum of .300 Win Mag for a reason, tough critters. ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2021/04/full-65064-290976-nilgai_shot_placement_2.jpg)
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8237861
04/15/21 09:09 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 62
Hatton Ranch
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 62 |
Shoot them in the neck and they will drop. If they are looking at you, shoot at the bottom of the white spot.
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8237878
04/15/21 09:19 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,149
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,149 |
Capes of the blue bulls are beautiful and make an excellent drape. This mount never receives a complaint - ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2021/04/full-66255-291049-mickey_nilgai.jpg)
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: intohunting]
#8237885
04/15/21 09:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287 |
They look much nicer mounted than a whitetail in my opinion. I don’t care for deer shoulder mounts but I’m liking the Nilgai.
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8238763
04/16/21 01:50 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
Dave Scott
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
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Posts: 1,331 |
Now I'm all set to go. Thanks. I think I'll stick with a 30-06. The actual hunting, do you stalk and glass or hunt out of a vehicle?
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8238802
04/16/21 02:05 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,149
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,149 |
Done it both. Out of a vehicle can be a real rodeo.
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: scalebuster]
#8241790
04/19/21 03:16 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,758
cbump
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,758 |
They look much nicer mounted than a whitetail in my opinion. I don’t care for deer shoulder mounts but I’m liking the Nilgai. First person besides me I’ve ever heard say this. I’ve never wanted a deer shoulder mount. This thread has me wanting a nilgai hide drape though.
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: scalebuster]
#8242073
04/19/21 02:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,897
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,897 |
They look much nicer mounted than a whitetail in my opinion. I don’t care for deer shoulder mounts but I’m liking the Nilgai. I bet you don’t care for other things like beer, lifted trucks and beautiful women too...
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: intohunting]
#8242252
04/19/21 04:15 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,946
Buzzsaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,946 |
I stole this pic from TexasBowhunter.com, but the nilgai anatomy is similar to african game as the lungs/heart are further up front in the chest cavity. Nilgai vitals are tucked behind the shoulder and bulls are front heavy so taking out his shoulder is paramount. Where the "X" on the pic is where the blade meets the leg bone. Break that and he can't run and it'll send bone fragments into heart/lungs with the bullet. You want to break down the shoulders so it doesn't wander off. That 3/4" hide is very elastic and will close over a bullet hole leaving little sign of a blood trail. Most outfitter require a minimum of .300 Win Mag for a reason, tough critters. probably why so many "run off". They are shot like a whitetail "behind" the shoulder. Thanks for the tip. RICH, is the spine high in the neck?
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8242794
04/20/21 01:21 AM
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 18
Boomerdog89
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 18 |
Ive only hunted them once definitely fun challenging hunt especially using shotguns
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Re: Nilgai Question
[Re: Dave Scott]
#8242942
04/20/21 03:51 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,946
Buzzsaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,946 |
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