While this isnt about Africa, it is about African plains game so I hope this is OK to ask here.

I was fortunate enough to have drawn one of 30 oryx/gemsbok tag that is open only to active duty soldiers stationed at Ft. Bliss, TX. I am just waiting for the hunt date from base. Since this hunt takes place in the Dona Ana range complex impact area I can only hunt when there are no ranges in use for obvious reasons

Since I first learned of oryx here I have been fascinated by African game. Especially now that I have the opportunity to hunt oryx.

What I would really like to know is if anyone is aware of any literature regarding the program that transplanted them here in the 60's. I am also aware that there were other African species that were released and some that were contemplated but never transplanted. I would appreciate any information that may be available.

William, I have a pamphlet entitled "Investigations Preliminary to the Release of Exotic Ungulates in New Mexico" prepared by the Dept. of Game and Fish in 1970. It covers gemsbok, kudu (failed), and ibex. It doesn't cover Barbary sheep (Audad), which were arso released in this state. You might look around for another copy of that little book. I know there is other literature too, but don't have any on hand. I think you can search the NMSU Library on-line, that might turn something up. Send me a PM with your snail mail address and I'll forward a copy of what I have.

Here's something to whet your appetite:

I killed this nice cow on the Small Missile Range in January 2000.

Feel free to send a PM or email if you want to chat about oryx hunting. I've gone on two other hunts and know the Range biologist, so might be able to help you out a little with your hunt.

Small side tracking, sorry:

The East African variety of oryx, Frynge eared oryx might soon be available for export from Tanzania.
There is a large game capture enclosure being constructed near arusha and rumor has it it will be for the selling of East African species overseas. Does anyone know if these might already be available in Texas, Mexico or RSA/Namibia?

If I learn more "facts" I will start a new post.....

You mentioned that the pamphlet says Kudu transplanting failed in the states. Do you have any idea why? Wrong food? Terrain? Something else?

Erik D.

Bwana, I have seen the fringe eared offered at some Texas ranches. Hell, if you can shoot bongo over here what would we not have????!!!

You have mail!

I am really looking forward to the info. I was very surprised to learn that the small herd that was introduced in the 60's has become a herd of 4000+ and growing. I personally believe they are one of the most beautiful and majestic of the antelope family. It is too bad the kudu program didnt work. That is one of the reasons I would like to learn more about the whole affair.

That is a very nice oryx in the pic. I hope I can do as well. I have seen a couple very nice ones while out scouting the last couple months. I would love to hear the details of your hunt. And any suggestions you may have for me would be appreciated.

There were kudu AND sable that were earmarked for introduction and actually in holding in the Red Rock holding facility in Southern NM. I talked to Dr. Frank Hibbon who was instrumental in establishing the program (and head of the Game and Fish Commission in the early 60s) several years ago he told me that the reason the kudu and sable were never released is that the administration changed and suddenly there was a new Game Commission who didn�t share his vision and they halted any further introduction.

There is in fact a fairly vocal contingent that believes ALL �exotic� animals should be eradicated and in fact the Game commission has caved into that contingent in many ways. The number of people who are allowed to hunt oryx has sky rocketed in the past several years and the ibex hunting has gone form fabulous to just barely viable. I believe we are in the hey day of oryx hunting in NM and in very few years it will be just barely viable� so if you want to hunt oryx in NM� do it soon!

I shot a 38 1/2 female on the small missile range 4 yr ago. It was a great hunt but expensive compared to huntin gemsbok in SA where I took two. A lot of pressure on just a two day hunt.

Erik, I can't really find in the pamphlet why kudu failed. The authors just kind of drop them. There are several references to their preferred feed (browse) and the lack of suitable species in NM. They also mention the kudu's propensity for contracting epizootic diseases, but don't mention whether that has anything to do with them not being introduced. I've heard from exotic ranchers in Texas that kudu are actually pretty difficult to get established, especially when compared to species like oryx and blackbuck.

William, I'd be happy to chat with you about my hunt. I'll run through the email tonight (no access from work). I understand from on-site sources that the actual population of oryx on WSMR is closer to 6,000 animals, higher if you count those that have moved off-range.

Crosshairs, I believe you are correct about now being the best oryx hunting. I think if the G&F has anything to say about it the oryx will soon go the way of the Barbary and the ibex. Hunting for both of these species was once excellent, but concentrated efforts to eliminate them have (unfortunately) been pretty successful. It's my closet hope that oryx continue to expand and take over the whole southern half of the state. Piss on the three mule deer that remain south of I-40. If they'd let the oryx loose, in five years you could buy a tag over the counter. Tell the folks in Mexico and Arizona to shoot them on sight if they don't like 'em. I'd rather hunt and eat oryx than mule deer (or beef for that matter).

After 20 plus years of applying I finally got drawn for an oryx tag this year. I've watched my wife and my son and three friends shoot one and now it's my turn! I'm looking forward to November!!

IMO There is no better table fare... wild OR domestic.

M1, check your email. I just sent you the pamphlet as a .pdf doc. Hopefully it doesn't overload your inbox...

Anybody else interested, drop me a PM (not email - I won't check it until next Tuesday).

DesertRam,
It didnt come through. That email inbox is very small so I PM'd a different one to you.

Crosshairs has it correct.William Huey was the associate director of game and fish, in charge of biologists and didn't feel that the Dept.should have to deal with permits for any of our game species. His idea was to turn all permits over to landowners and let them worry with the details.He then, arbitrarily declared that the kudu was not adaptable to habitat in NM and ordered the kudu held at the Albuquerque Zoo and the Red Rock holding facility to be sold or given to other zoos. By then Dr Hibbin was no longer on the Commission and Tom Bolak,the other indivdual responsable for the exotic program,was no longer Governor, so there was no opposition to Huey's proposal.Thus the demise of the kudu program for NM that many of us had worked so hard for.Thankfully we still had the oryx,barbary sheep and Persian and Mongolian ibex.The Mongolian ibex program desolved next and if the bean counters have their way the oryx and other exotics will be done away with.These idiots dont realize what a valuable asset our exotics are to this state.

Bravo

You know, NM used to be a real leader in regards to it's wildlife management, but it sure appears to have gone down hill in the past 10-15 years. I am a New Mexican, grew up there, and I sure hate seeing what is happening. I well remember the excitement generated when the Oryx, Kudu, Eland, and Ibex were brought in. People just couldn't wait for the real release that would follow the long quarentines, then it all got away. Terrible shame. So much potential, just blown by idiot politicians.

Even though the others didnt work out. (Terrible loss) The Gemsbok is thriving. At least for now. I went spotting last night and saw a total of 62 head in less than a hour. Some looked very good. The young sure are goofy looking though. My wife says they are cute, if you think bulldogs are cute.

I hope they keep this incredible reource well managed and let it grow to its full potential.

The Albuquerque Journal of Sunday,March 28 has an article about New Mexicos oryx entitled"Locking Horns."It states that in addition to breeding like rabbits, being the bully on the block and pushing other animals from the water holes, two newly published studies raise the possibility oryx MIGHT be carrying a list of serious diseases that MIGHT pose a risk to the regions already depleted native mule deer and desert bighorn sheep.According to the "studies",blood and othersamples from them revealed that several had a "never before seen virus"from the same family as a disease known as malignant catarrhal fever.It goes on to say that researchers don't yet know if the version of catarrhal fever the White Sands oryx have can be passed on to other animals--or if it is even harmful to other species.Researchers also discovered antibodies to three other potentially serious viruses in the tests performed on the oryx.
The article quotes G$F director Bruce Thompson as saying,"Game and Fish will want to take the appropriate action"for New Mexico's oryx.
Being a lifetime resident of NM and a student of NM politics I can tell you they have just announced the death nell of the New Mexico oryx.

Bravo

It breaks my heart to hear that. I wish they could see the incredible value of the asset they posess. If they would play their cards right they could have a completely self renewable resource for the future. I know many people who would love the chance to hunt oryx here in the states. Even though it is $1600 for non-residents it is considerably cheaper than going to Africa.