If I can weigh in here, having twice hunted nilgai on the King Ranch: The animals are free-range. They are not fed and browse on native vegetation only. I've never seen anyone bait for them on the Ranch. Hunts are usually spot and stalk affairs where you drive to an area, park and then walk until a bull is spotted. Nilgai are on par with whitetails in terms of their ability to see and smell predators. They will leave the county when spooked. It is a challenging, fun hunt that puts a lot of wonderful meat--think elk--in the freezer if successful. Generally I would agree with MaxPower that invasive species are terrible for an ecosystem, but nilgai have been practically wiped out in their original home range. The Ranch's nilgai were released in the 1920s and this is one of the few places in the world you can hunt free-range, wild nilgai. Hurteau was probably going to tell us all this in his follow up stories.

Seriously? This is coming from the guy that has adamantly opposed caged hunts. You ranted and raved about Alabama's big buck program, as well as many other issues that almost all ethical hunters would agree with.

And now your going to grace us with a story from your pen hunt? Hypocrite.

And Sako Finn Bear .300 win mag. Anyone that passes up the chance to play with that gun is crazy.

I would probably just ask where they keep its daily feed at then walk out into the field with a handful of it. When it came over for its favorite treat and to get petted, I would probably play fetch with it until it wore itself out and took at nap. Then I would fashion a saddle and train it to let me ride it around on it at high speeds and pretend I was robbing wagon trains and shoot beer cans with the 1886/71.

I would bring the Model 70 along in case I saw a giant Texas whitetail......

Honestly look for free range vs. high fence hunts when it comes to non-native animals like the Nilgai. If this is a non-native species, how are they ranches able to offer hunts which are free range with no 'high fences' and not be turning the animal loose into the wild? Doesn't this risk the animal worming it's way into the natural ecosystem where it doesn't belong? Just curious.

And am I the only one who would use the .264 Win Mag? That round is making a comeback so I'm jumping on the wagon early.

Data indicates there are 10,000 Nilgai on various parts of King Ranch's 825,000 acres. Attempting to put them behind a high fence at this late date may be similar to closing the proverbial barn door after the horse got out.

Now, don't get all righteous on me redfish. I'll be happy to explain myself if you feel I must. I would just ask a little patience. Parts II and III are coming, and I hope you'll stick around for them.

Which I understand is huge. And you could hunt for days and not see a fence. And it might make the animals pretend to be free ranging. But Dave isn't getting off the hook that easy.

Please, no articles about "canned" hunts. I expect more from Field & Stream than another report about shooting animals on a high fence operation. Can't the magazine pay for its writers to go to Africa or Wyoming for a true hunt? Disappointing, fellows!

"a lot tougher to hunt than I expected"

You should see how hard it is to hunt wild animals.

Send it - You will have to forgive my stubborness, but I will not believe you until I have been invited to see for myself, and I kill one bigger and meaner than whatever Dave got.

I was lucky to get a nilgai on both hunts. The first was shot at 120 or so yards with a Kimber Montana in .300 WSM and a 180-grain Nosler Partition. He died on the spot, having been shot through the neck. The second was killed with a DPMS LR-338 in .338 Federal loaded with 185-grain Barnes Triple Shocks. The shot was around 80 yards and the bull went just 50 yards before dying. The heart was center punched and the bullet recovered under the hide on the off side. It looked like it came off the pages of an ad--perfect expansion, near 100 percent weight retention, etc--not from the chest of a nilgai bull.

Now, don't get all righteous on me redfish. I'll be happy to explain myself if you feel I must. I would just ask a little patience. Parts II and III are coming, and I hope you'll stick around for them.

I'm waiting too. I won't say bad about another hunter, but when high fence hunting is brought up I just dont' say much at all.

All the species hunted on the Ranch, including nilgai, are free range which is one of the reasons it's so popular with hunters.

According to the Texas State Historical Association there is over 2,000 miles of fence.

Those rifles are far too pretty for such an ugly, disproportionate beast. The only logical choice is the Browning A5 with a slug.

none of them...ruger scout in 308

Big difference between “fence” intended for keeping cattle and “high fence” intended to hold game animals. Still, I’ll be interested to read whether the hunters get out of the vehicles and hunt, or just drive around until they see something to shoot. As for guns, I’d think the 300 WinMag would be about right for an animal that size in terrain where a long shot is possible. I’d be tempted to hunt with that Ruger 1 though ... always wanted one of those.

Dave, You know my knowledge of guns would fit in a thimble and rattle when you shake it but if Happy says .300 Win Mag, that little tidbit of advice is backed up with years of rigorous experience.

Another vote for the 9.3x62 Mauser in a CZ550.

Thanks, rabbit.

I am a sucker for single shots. I have to choose the Number 1. I also like the 7 Mauser.

Huge fan of the 6.5 and if I had to put a fast #2 hole on one of these big boned buggers,the furnace of .264WM a homogenous bullet like a Barnes in the 125 - 140 gr., whatever your rate of twist will handle.
This critter has bullet crushing bones so put one on his pump & carb region and oil your skillet. Yeah, that 45.70 will punch it but them Injunlopes can get skittish and the ole .45GOVT might not get dirty ?
The only other choice for myself would be that one-timer in .275, a 160 - 175 gr. Nos-Part. whichever you can get to shoot better. Real nice look'in shoot'in irons Dave

sorry Dave, only meant to raz you a little. :-)

I'm always naturally leery of anything private land, guided, exotic, and Texas. I've never heard of the critter before as they dont' have them any place I've wandered. Wiki says they are free range down by Mexico. IUCN gives them their lowest rating, "least concern". Like tropical deer they have short horns, not sure if it's for the same reasons as muntjack which I've eaten plenty of. I guess anything that keeps Texans down there is good with me.

Next thing you know someone will say we need to import the dhole to keep them healthy.

Happy Hunting and I hope those Texans can cook some up for you.

I wouldn't turn it down. I was just poking fun at Dave. He is a good sport with that sort of thing and it was a perfect set up....

Either the ranch is illegally releasing an non-native species by not fencing it in, or by fencing it in, it's not a free range hunt. It can't be both. I dislike either.