The Accurate Reloading Forums
Scimitar Horned Oryx
12 September 2007, 02:28
Michael RobinsonScimitar Horned Oryx
Anyone know the status of this animal in the wild in its original habitat?
Do they survive in the wild and if so, do people think that they will ever recover to huntable numbers?
Just to be clear, I am not talking about exotic game ranches.
Any information will be appreciated.
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
12 September 2007, 04:29
465H&HLast I heard they were thought to be extinct in their native habitat. But considering the remoteness of much of that habitat, who knows?
465H&H
12 September 2007, 04:57
Use Enough GunI believe that that assessment is indeed correct. What has saved the Scimitar Horned Oryx and has allowed some hunting of this animal has been the game ranches in South Africa, and in some ways, in Texas. It does not look like there will be huntable numbers in Northern Africa in our lifetimes.
12 September 2007, 05:26
Michael RobinsonI have seen conflicting reports.
But what a spectacular animal!
It would be a shame if they were truly extinct in the wild, with no hope of recovery.
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
12 September 2007, 06:13
PeterThere was a thread on this a few months ago, during which I got blasted. It is my impression that attempts ARE being made to return the animals to their native habitat, however poverty, starvation and the abundance of AK47s probably means that the attempts will not be successful. The attempts are not being made by hunters, but rather by the bunny huggers, PETA lovers, commie pinkos, Islamic fundamentalists, homosexuals etc. and thus are doomed to failure.
Peter.
Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong;
12 September 2007, 08:54
L. David KeithTexas has done a wonderful job at keeping these great animals alive and breeding. Were it not for Texas, the Blackbuck Antelope wouldn't be thriving in many countries around the world today. Yes, here they are exotics, but are not all of us exotics? Hunters willing to spend money give value to wild things that much of the world only views as a pork chop over a glowing fire. My hats off to those who take a chance and invest a lot of money to propagate a species in need. LDK
Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris
http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333
Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com
NRA Benefactor
DSC Professional Member
SCI Member
RMEF Life Member
NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor
NAHC Life Member
Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer
Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt:
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more:
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added
http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#926103994110 days in the Stormberg Mountains
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson
Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running......
"If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you."
12 September 2007, 11:19
Blair338/378quote:
Originally posted by L. David Keith:
Texas has done a wonderful job at keeping these great animals alive and breeding. Were it not for Texas, the Blackbuck Antelope wouldn't be thriving in many countries around the world today. Yes, here they are exotics, but are not all of us exotics? Hunters willing to spend money give value to wild things that much of the world only views as a pork chop over a glowing fire. My hats off to those who take a chance and invest a lot of money to propagate a species in need. LDK
+1
Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!!
Blair.
12 September 2007, 12:12
BoghossianI believe the fact that addax and scimitar horned oryx can be chased in a 4x4 on the dunes has lead to the drastic population reduction and prevents a comeback being mounted.
In fact I believe the few remanant populations still get hammered by middle eastern hunters on occaision.
On the other hand, in view of the huge populations of game just discovered in Southern Sudan, who knows where else in Africa there are pockets of untouched wilderness?
13 September 2007, 07:07
jetdrvrquote:
Originally posted by Boghossian:
I believe the fact that addax and scimitar horned oryx can be chased in a 4x4 on the dunes has lead to the drastic population reduction and prevents a comeback being mounted.
In fact I believe the few remanant populations still get hammered by middle eastern hunters on occaision.
On the other hand, in view of the huge populations of game just discovered in Southern Sudan, who knows where else in Africa there are pockets of untouched wilderness?
I have a buddy based in Juba helping to build a road down the old Nile bypass canal. I flew many relief trips into Juba and other southern Sudanese locations, both airlanding and airdropping during the North/South war. Apparently, some of the mines have been cleared, but it'll be a cold day in hell before I go out wandering around in the South Sudanese bush. I like my feet just where they are.
13 September 2007, 08:45
Use Enough GunMrlexma: It is a truly beautiful animal. I took one in South Africa in 2003 that was 40". We hunted for him for two days in some pretty nasty country. It requires a Cites permit to bring one back from the continent, just like a Bontebok, Leopard, etc. The addax is another beautiful animal. Here is a picture of my Scimitar Horned Oryx:
13 September 2007, 09:55
Michael RobinsonUEG, congrats. They almost look delicate compared to their gemsbok cousins. Great looking animal!
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
13 September 2007, 10:53
Blair338/378quote:
Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Mrlexma: It is a truly beautiful animal. I took one in South Africa in 2003 that was 40". We hunted for him for two days in some pretty nasty country. It requires a Cites permit to bring one back from the continent, just like a Bontebok, Leopard, etc. The addax is another beautiful animal. Here is a picture of my Scimitar Horned Oryx:
UEG,
Gorgeous looking animal and an interesting looking rifle? Can you tell us a bit about it?
Verbera!, Iugula!, Iugula!!!
Blair.
13 September 2007, 11:20
Use Enough GunThanks. Without stirring the pots of controversy, it is one of my custom thumbhole rifles built on a Model 70 classic pre-64 action in .300 WSM. I've taken approximately 45+ plains game in Africa with it, and another 10+ plains game with its sister .270, with nearly all of the big five, plus hippo and croc, taken with a similar .375 thumbhole rifle. The wood on this particular rifle is fiddleback myrtle. The .270 is stocked in tiger myrtle and the .375 in bastogne walnut. Myrtle Wood is somewhat rare, and grows only in two places in the world, Oregon and in the Holy Land. It must be harvested at the right time in order to find the wood with the strength necessary to use it for rifle stocks. I have a myriad of regular stocked rifles, but I have enjoyed the thumbholes, which give me a much steadier grip and rest when shooting, especially when offhand shooting has been necessary.
13 September 2007, 11:47
Matt GrahamNot just Texas - we have a ranch herd of them here in Australia - 300 strong already and breeding rapidly. Difficulty at the moment getting Cites permits to get them out of here but we are working on it....
We have some MONSTER trophies here too....dying of old age at the moment....
Maybe one day hunters will be able to get a program going in NAfrica but it seems unlikely the way things are going...
Cheers
Matt
13 September 2007, 21:55
MacD37quote:
Originally posted by Blair338/378:
quote:
Originally posted by L. David Keith:
Texas has done a wonderful job at keeping these great animals alive and breeding. Were it not for Texas, the Blackbuck Antelope wouldn't be thriving in many countries around the world today. Yes, here they are exotics, but are not all of us exotics? Hunters willing to spend money give value to wild things that much of the world only views as a pork chop over a glowing fire. My hats off to those who take a chance and invest a lot of money to propagate a species in need. LDK
+1
...And another one!
....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1
DRSS Charter member
"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982
Hands of Old Elmer Keith
14 September 2007, 01:11
DavidCAccording to wikipedia Niger & Chad potentially have small populations. Hopefully reports from the Sudan are positive. It would be a real shame to loose such a beautiful creature.
Amazing how their range & numbers have shrunken...!
Scimitar OryxBest Regards,
Dave
14 September 2007, 05:45
Josh A.I am fortunate in that my neighbor on my west fence line has quite a few scimtar horned oryx. We get to see them any time we go down there. They are one of the most beautiful animals I have ever seen. He has a small high fenced operation in west Texas. He purchased the property with the animals on it. I have no idea what he might do with them but there are around 20 that are full grown to old. It is a pleasure to see them in the evenings. I doubt they have ever been hunted or ever will.
Josh
14 September 2007, 07:08
N. GarrettI saw video of scimitar horned oryx in the wild in what was purported to be Libya.
The total population there was less than 50.
Garrett
14 September 2007, 07:16
Matt GrahamThis is a good web site that I often use for researching
Animal Diversity Web
Scimitar Oryx14 September 2007, 07:41
Michael RobinsonThe AK and the 4x4 sometimes make me sick at heart.
Thank God for the game ranchers.
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.