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Forums >> Texas Hunting >> Exotic Hunting >> There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranch

There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranch

 November 7, 2008 10:25 AM [#1]
Jason Parrish
Jason Parrish
Jason Parrish writes about There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranchJason Parrish writes about There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranchJason Parrish writes about There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranchJason Parrish writes about There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranchJason Parrish writes about There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranchJason Parrish writes about There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranchJason Parrish writes about There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranchJason Parrish writes about There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranchJason Parrish writes about There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranchJason Parrish writes about There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranch
Points: Y (0) / M (0)
Texas Wildlife
Travis county
Email Jason Parrish

Do you agree that the type of "hunt" changes dramatically depending on the species and ranch type?

For example, this Red Stag could careless about me taking this photo. Regardless of method, other than running up with a spear, it doesn't seem like much of a hunt.

I think a number of factors cause this, and if you are looking to hunt exotics in Texas, you might want to consider these items before you select a guide or lease.

1. Species. Any species can be conditioned to not bolt at the sound, sight or smell of humans. However, some species are more skittish than others by nature. A bison most likely isn't going to do much but look at you because you are not a threat in its daily life. Fallow seem to be very tolerant of close encounters. Aoudad and Axis are commonly quick to depart, but easily become conditioned in my experience.

2. Size of Ranch. It seems to be hard to keep your exotics "wild" if the ranch is less than 1500 acres, assuming it is high-fenced and you have year-around supplemental feeders running. Is it just the fact that it is a small space where they hear, smell and see humans on a daily or weekly basis? Is it that they eat from feeders, and thus have constant interaction with human equipment and smells?

I have often thought about performing the following experiment: If you had a "tame" fallow for example, if everytime you see it you were to shoot it with a paintball gun, could you condition it to be wary of humans, thus put more of a hunt back into the game?

Of course, not everyone cares about the hunt. Many people want the experience of sharing with their friends and family the beauty watching and taking photographs of the animals. As part of being a land steward, thinning the herd is just part of the process no different that trimming the trees.

On the other hand, when I have hunted 5000 acres of low-fence ranch near Rocksprings, nothing about those exotics are conditioned to humans or tame. They bolt at the slightest awareness of human presence. The issue is not a matter of fair chase in my opinion, it is about the method of harvest, target species, style of hunt, and the skill level of the hunter. Food for thought.

  • There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranch
  • There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranch

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RE: There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranch

 November 7, 2008 12:29 PM [#2]
larrymeador

larrymeador writes about
Points: Y (0) / M (0)
Larry Meador

I've never had the resources to hunt on land where the deer are taken care of to a degree which removes their wariness.  However, I have hunted the Edwards Plateau extensively in Hunt and now SW of Rocksprings.  When I shoot a decent white-tail or axis, I am excited, not because it was easy, but because it wasn't.  I've always hunted on low fenced property where everything bolted like lightening when you made the slightest sound, or they caught wind of you in the area.  I guess what I am saying, is that the excitement is in the thrill of the chase, not necessarily the results hanging on the wall.  Therefore, I don't think I would be nearly as pleased with a much larger wall-hanger shot with relatively ease, than I would be on a normal deer which I had to "work" for.  My best hunting story actually involves a basket rack 8 pointer who's horns were so small, I thought he was a doe at first.  He was 7 1/2 years old.....

RE: There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranch

 November 7, 2008 12:39 PM [#3]
Ryan Campbell
Ryan Campbell
Ryan Campbell writes about Ryan Campbell writes about
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Ryan Campbell

Jason, I absolutely agree that the size of the ranch and condition of the animals can dramatically change a "hunt".  I've been on ranches where the animals were so used to people you could drive up to them in a herd or get out and walk fairly close.

I've also been on places that were not fenced where the exotics were free ranging and wild as any whitetail would be.  It really depends on the ranch and the rancher.  If it is stocked often and hunted a lot they become used to people. 

The 5000 acre place you speak of sounds similar to where I guide for Blackbuck and Axis near Kerrville.  It is also low fenced and the animals are free ranging.  They can come or go off of that ranch.  So it is definately a real hunt.

I also have a free-ranging Audad hunt I do in West Texas that is probably one of the tougher hunts you can do in TX.  These Audad are truly wild and you'd better be able to shoot well at 300+yds.  Those ranches are so big the animals dont know what a fence is.  So there are variations of "hunting" exotics.

But some guys prefer the high fence and easy kill.  They want the mount on the wall and don't really care how it gets there.  It really doesnt matter that much to me as far as guiding goes but for myself I prefer free ranging.

The Hunt goes on forever, the season never ends. http://www.hossfly.com 979 777 1725

RE: There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranch

 November 7, 2008 02:48 PM [#4]
Jason Parrish
Jason Parrish
Jason Parrish writes about Jason Parrish writes about Jason Parrish writes about Jason Parrish writes about Jason Parrish writes about Jason Parrish writes about Jason Parrish writes about Jason Parrish writes about Jason Parrish writes about Jason Parrish writes about
Points: Y (0) / M (0)
Texas Wildlife
Travis county
Email Jason Parrish

I agree with both of you in terms of the thrill of the "hunt". I also agree that a free range Aoudad hunt is one of the hardest, most satisfying hunts you can do in Texas. I have hunted many aoudad, for countless days of walking and spotting, and never shot a trophy and always come home dreaming of the next time.

I also think that coyote/bobcat and spring turkey hunting are two of the most undervalued, exciting hunts that you can go on in Tx.

Hunt Hard. Fish Smart. Explore Texas.

Forums >> Texas Hunting >> Exotic Hunting >> There is such a difference in the "hunt" depending on which exotic species and the type of ranch

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