My Nilgai hunt this week with another levergunner as PH, pickup driver, and head skinner and quarter follows:
Primary characters: myself, my son Colin and PH Joe.
South Texas Nilgai with .405 Double Rifle
After several days of rain, the country around Hondo was green and the roads muddy, so muddy, that we had to walk into the ranch from a county road to hunt. After 3 hours of tramping about in the 90 degree heat with boots heavy with mud, we took a break for lunch. We had seen a lot of exotic game and lots of Nilgai tracks, but no Nilgai.
We resumed hunting mid afternoon and a call from the ranch owner directed us to an area thick with typical south Texas brush, all green from spring rains. Finally, fresh Nilgai tracks, and then two young bulls that would make great eating. My son had the first shot with his .458 Socom and one was down. The second jumped to a two track and dashed back into the brush within a few yards. We waited him out and soon saw him through the brush to my left. We must have been in cover too because when I went down on one knee he stepped into the clear for a broadside shot at 30 yards. He went down at the shot and then staggered a few steps and was down for good. The 300 grain Barnes TSX had passed through the left front leg, heart, lugs, and off into the brush.
We were able to get the F250 4WD in so we could field dress the antelope , take pix, and then get out to the county road to circle back to the lodge, cleaning area, and cooler. With both Nilgai quartered and hanging for the night, we headed for our nearby hotel to clean up before locating the one open eatery at 10 PM; McDonalds!
WE saw some great exotics while out hunting and are already planning our next hunt. Wink
Doubles are fast and fun in close quarters!
