My wife came to me the other day and asked me where I'd like to go hunt that I haven't been yet. She added "a place you could realistically afford", so I guess that rules out Marco Polo sheep I asked her why in the world she wanted to know and her reply, "because our 20th anniversary is coming up in two years and I thought a hunt/vacation might be fun." It's no wonder I love this woman! After some thought, what I would really like to do is go to Texas and hunt blackbuck and possibly wild hogs and javelina if they are available on the same place. Here's the catch, my wife loves horses and horse back riding. I need to find a ranch that has good accommodations, horse back riding and of course blackbuck. Whether there are piggies to hunt is secondary, but the horse back riding and blackbuck are top priorities. So if any of you have any good information about this type of hunt in Texas please tell me who to contact? Thanks!!!

Big Sky: the Y-O Ranch would be a good place to consider. http://www.yoranch.net/ Hope you have fun (no, I have no connection to the YO!) Regards, Jim

We have just what you are looking for. Email me and I will give you all the details.

Big Sky,

If you can get away for a week or ten days consider taking your wife to Argentina!! It's a good place to take a hunting vacation with the wife and it can be surpriseingly affordable. They also have exceptional trophies at really good prices. I shot a 21 inch Blackbuck there last fall and it made a beautiful mount. Check out John Aralia's web page at www.sportingdestinations.com

Thank you guys. Bighornhunting1 email has been sent.

Big Sky,

After looking at the prices for the YO, I might offer another option...

I hunted a small ranch (semi-guided) last fall about 40 miles east of the YO. There were good #s of Blackbuck, Axis and whitetail. Price was $200 (or maybe $100???) per day, with no limit on the # of females of any species or WT bucks that could be taken (axis does make wonderful capes for pillows or throws). Blackbuck or Axis rams were an additional $500. My Blackbuck went 20+" and will be silver or gold ROE. My friend hunting with me took an Axis that will be silver or gold ROE.

Mind you, this is a pretty small place with lots of game. You should be able to get a good Blackbuck in one day, and whatever females you want for meat or hides. That area of Texas is simply the most scenic we have to offer, and Fredricksburg (15 miles) is a wonderful little German town with great shopping and food (and beer!). Perhaps you could stay at the YO a few days for riding, photo safari, etc. and hunt at a much cheaper location? Just an ideal. Let me know if you would like more information.