Illinois Indiana Iowa Exotics Blackbuck Axis and Fallow Deer Hunts

EXOTIC HUNTS

Illinois Indiana Iowa Exotic Hunts

Click on the 4 digit hunt ID and you will see the complete details of that particular hunt.
We provide hunts averaging 10% to 45% off available just ask we build hundreds of happy hunters in 28 states and Canada every year with Elk, Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, Bear, Moose, sheep, exotics, and even hogs. All hunts subject to license availability and on a first come first serve basis. If you can't find what you are looking for please feel free to contact me Greg Merriam 303-776-7528 DeerElkBear@Gmail.com Thank-you.
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IllinoisNo Discounted Hunts Available

Indiana-No Discounted Hunts Available

Iowa -  No Discounted Hunts Available

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Free Ranging Exotics, were someones, but are now free ranging in Texas a state with 2% public Land. They may be free of the previous owner but they have a new owner, the one who owns the land the exotic is on today.
Fences may make good neighbors but in the last century they’ve also proven that they’re not very good at keeping exotics (In this case defined as non-indigenous deer, antelope, goat, sheep, and bovine) in a designated area. Because of this, Texas is home to more free-ranging exotics than anywhere else in the world. And for hunters that want a chance at big game animals from exotic locales around the globe without spending high-fence prices, that’s a good thing.

The Species 

Through carelessness, accidental escape, and intentional release large numbers of exotics such as axis, sika, and fallow deer as well as black-buck, aoudad, and nilgail and a multitude of other species roam freely and without restriction throughout the Lone Star State. In some cases, due to prolific breeding, a lack natural predators, and fairly low hunting pressure, the number of free ranging exotics in Texas dramatically outnumbers the species’ numbers in its native environment.

In the Southern region of the state for example, more than 30,000 nilgai antelope call the Gulf Coastal Prairie home. This dwarfs the number of Blue Bulls found in their native India where hunting was made illegal in the 1970's. In the Panhandle and Western region of the state aoudad sheep in herds as large as 300 in number reign supreme over the sparsely vegetated landscape that resembles their native North Africa. And in some counties of the Edwards Plateau and South Texas Plains, axis, fallow, and sika deer often outnumber native whitetail. For the hunter that is willing to put in the time and effort, Texas offers more opportunities at free ranging exotic game than any other state in the union.

Private Land Hunts

As more than 90% of Texas is privately owned, most hunts for free-range exotics are found on private land. These landholdings fall into three major categories: Upscale hunting ranches, managed land, and mom and pop outfits. The first group is by far the more common and, unfortunately for the bargain hunter, the most expensive. These facilities, such as the Indianhead near Del Rio cater to the hunter that expects five-star accommodations and chef-prepared meals along with his quest for free-ranging exotics. Facilities such as these that offer true free-range exotics are difficult to find but they are out there. Most that do offer true free-ranging animals have at least partial high-fencing. This is the case with the Indian-head whose western and southern boundaries are free of eight-foot tall fencing yet semi-barricaded by canyons, deep draws, and rivers. Head guide Darren Carr explains, “Of course this doesn’t keep animals on the ranch. Some have left and others have come on but then that’s what makes it free-range I guess.”

The second group of private land is that which is managed by an outfitter or outfitting group who conducts hunts on behalf of the actual owner. Outfits such as Wildlife Systems, Inc. have access to hundreds of thousands of acres – mostly in south and west Texas – where they conduct hunts for free-ranging nilgai and aoudad. Owner Greg Simmons has seen the latter roaming the mountains outside Alpine in groups as large as 300 to 400 in number. “When you find them like that you feel like you’ve hit the mother lode,” Greg explains. “But trying to get within three hundred yards and have a clean shot at the right sheep when you’ve got 200 of them surrounding you can be pretty confounding.”


While these first two groups can easily be found following some time on Google, the third is more likely to be found in local papers or through word of mouth. These are smaller land holdings that just so happen to be blessed - or cursed, depending on your outlook - with uninvited species. These can range from the hundred acre ranch where I hunted outside of Kerrville where I saw a herd of over 120 axis deer to the forty acre family retreat I happened upon in Harper where in one afternoon I saw axis, fallow, black buck and an errant aoudad. Accommodations on these mom and pop properties is usually non-existent but well worth the hassle for the chance at true free-range animals.     

Public Land

As exotics continue to spread throughout the state, more and more public land are becoming inundated with animals originally from Asia, Africa, and Europe. Wildlife management areas that once hosted drawn public hunts for whitetail and mule deer only are now adding axis, mouflon, black buck, fallow, ibex, and red stag to their list of species available for hunting. Examples of this from last years Public Hunt System include three out of the 15 in the Archery Deer category offering exotics and 10 out of 30 in the Gun Deer; Either Sex offering exotics. There are even special drawings for just exotics with both archery gear and traditional firearms. These hunt – and their locales - are easy to find, research, and to apply for. Simply visit Texas Parks and Wildlife web-page at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ to check out the Public Hunt Drawing System. For a chance at free-range exotics on Federal land look to the Amistad National Recreational Area (http://www.nps.gov/amis/index.htm) near Del Rio which offers hunts for aoudad, black buck antelope, and mouflon sheep. The Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=21553) near Harlingen offers public hunts for nilgai.

Hunts for free-range exotics in Texas aren’t hard to find but they do take a bit of research to locate. Fortunately the there’s no season on exotics so hunting is open year round. That leaves you plenty of time to plan your first or next free-range exotic hunt. I suggest you start now!   

 

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