I guided another free-range blackbuck hunt this weekend up near Camp Wood, TX on my friend's low fenced ranch. They had a few more bucks move in on some does on their land over the winter. I was able to put two of my friends on nice 17" bucks. I took a doe for the freezer with my 22-250. They were all very skiddish and the hunting was hard but fun! I will post some pictures when I get them back. I will be taking one more hunter in four weeks and that will be all that will be taken this year. There are an estimated 19,000 free-ranging blackbuck antelope in the Edwards Plateau region of Texas. They were introduced about 1930.

Blackbuck tenderloins for dinner!!!

Bob

I've found that blackbuck does are way spookier than the bucks. Lots of eyes in a herd, and they really keep their distance. On the Onion Creek Ranch where we've hunted several times (2000+ blackbuck there) the dominant males would stand and stare, while the does would spook at the first glimpse of a person. Beautiful animals. Bob

Here are the photo's. The first one is the young 18 year old hunter I guided with yours truly. This is on a working sheep and cattle ranch that is all low-fenced. It is not a game ranch. The blackbuck antelope come and go and are totally free-ranging.

Bob





This is the buck I took on this ranch a while back:


[ 04-01-2003, 21:27: Message edited by: Bob in TX ]

Nice blackbucks Bob. Someday I'll get me one of them critters!

HOW MUCH for the hunt
?

\jeffe

hey bobc,
Ive hunted the OCR also, they had at the time, the largest BB's Ive ever seen or videod

Gentlemen

I like them soo much I just need to have one soon

I have heard that they are free ranging in some parts of Texas. Does anyone know if they are avilable in Mason or Kerr county??

/ JOHAN

[ 04-03-2003, 21:24: Message edited by: JOHAN ]

Bob in TX was my predator hunting partner, until he moved to Texas......here is the blackbuck I took while visiting him......He invited me down for a visit and I killed it on the same ranch that he now guides on.



[ 04-03-2003, 02:25: Message edited by: GonHuntin ]

Here is some information on blackbuck antelope in Texas. Yes, there are free-ranging blackbucks in Kerr County. In fact, they were introduced there. These hunts are just $100 guide fee and a $400 trophy fee. On game ranches, blackbuck hunts go for between $800 and $1500. Unfortunately, these hunts are very limited and there is a long waiting list. GonHuntin's hunt was an excellent one. He and his father came down. GH did a great stalk and took his buck pictured above with his Contender at over 150 yards. His dad dropped his just before sundown at 300 yards with his 7mm-08. They have excellent vision like all antelope and don't stand still for very long.

Here is the information:

The Mammals of Texas - Online Edition
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blackbuck*
Order Artiodactyla : Family Bovidae : Antilope cervicapra (Linnaeus)

Description. A medium-sized antelope with ringed, unbranched, "corkscrew" horns that rise above the head of males in a tall, V-shaped pattern. Measured from base to tip, horns reach up to 79 cm in length, although Texas blackbuck rarely have horns exceeding 58 cm. Normally, females are hornless.

Coloration in mature males is black dorsally, while females and young males are tan. All blackbuck have white eye rings, chin patch, chest, belly, and inner legs. In the nonbreeding season, after the spring molt, adult males may lighten considerably and retain their darkest coloration only on the face and legs.

In Texas, adult males average 38 kg in weight, with a range of 20-57 kg. Females weigh 20-33 kg, averaging 27 kg.

Distribution in Texas. Blackbuck antelope were originally released in Texas in the Edwards Plateau (Kerr County) in 1932. In 1988, only eight Texas counties had free-ranging blackbuck, but these antelope were confined on ranches in 86 counties. Of the total number of exotics confined on Texas ranches in 1988, only the axis deer outnumbered blackbuck antelope.

Habits. Blackbuck are native to India and Pakistan where they were widespread in plains and open woodlands; wet coastal areas, western deserts, and northern mountains limited their distribution. Today, extensive hunting and habitat destruction have restricted blackbuck to only small, isolated populations in their former native habitat.

More than 80% of the blackbuck in Texas inhabit the Edwards Plateau region, where the patchwork of open grassland and brush provides both excellent forage and cover. Their range is restricted to the north and west by cold winters, to the south by coyote predation, and to the east by parasitism.

Blackbuck prefer to graze on short to mid-length grasses but also browse on common brush species. Forage selection is primarily determined by availability with sedges, fall witchgrass, mesquite, and live oak commonly eaten. Forb use by blackbuck is low.

Adult males are highly territorial and defend areas ranging from 1.2 to 12 ha in size against trespass by other males. Female groups may graze through male territories, and breeding activity may take place at such times, but other males are excluded. Young males, and bucks without territories, form their own all male groups. At physical maturity (2 - 2� years of age) young bucks may split from the all-male group to establish or win their own territory.

Breeding may take place at any time of the year; however, bucks are more active in spring and fall. Fawns are born at all seasons, but fewest births occur in winter. The length of gestation is about 5 months and within a month of parturition the female may breed again. A single fawn is the rule.

Females reach sexual maturity by 8 months of age, but usually do not breed until nearly 2 years of age. Physical maturity is reached at 1 year. Males mature later than females, and are able to breed at 18 month of age. The lifespan is up to 15 years.

Good Hunting,

Bob

[ 04-03-2003, 05:26: Message edited by: Bob in TX ]

Well, after looking at that description maybe you can help me. While traveling north on Hwy 83 out of Leakey, near the HEB Camp, I saw a deer with a BIG, black bushy tail. Kinda puny in size and coloration was a little darker than normal, but it was a deer of some type that is unknown to me. I almost ran in to a ditch when I saw it....any ideas?

Hmm, this sounds nice

I have been reading Trophy Game Records of Texas all afternoon

I have plans on "visiting my relatives in Texas this fall. I guess that lists is only for locals?, other can pass right by

How is the one to talk too?
I discoverd that it's only one county away Gillespie is in the way

/JOHAN

[ 04-03-2003, 21:27: Message edited by: JOHAN ]

JOHAN...check your PM

JOHAN-Check your PM again.

Bob

Gentlemen

Thanks for your PM's. I will try to make up my mind before I leave for USA.

/ JOHAN

[ 04-04-2003, 23:03: Message edited by: JOHAN ]

Bob,

Thanks for posting those pics; I had read historical accounts of hunting blackbucks in their native India but I had never seen one and never realised you had them in Texas.

Having looked at the pictures, I can honestly say they have struck a nerve with me in the same way our Roebuck do. I am not sure that "beautiful" is the correct word, but they certainly have something about them.

Regards,

Pete

Hey Pete,

I personally think they are one of the best looking antelope anywhere in the world. Here is a photo of one we caught on camera last year. The quality isn't the greatest because you have to shoot the picture (and pull the trigger) quickly. They are excellent table fare....a very dark red, rich meat.

Good Hunting,

Bob C.

Pete,
Here is a nice pic of a decent one on our deer lease in Roosevelt, TX.

Blackbuck are without a doubt, my favorite exotic! I truly love them.

When are they black and when are they brown in color?

TXPO,

I am jealous! You are really lucky to have free-ranging blackbucks on your deer lease!! Does the population stay stable or go up and down quite a bit? Did you get any turkeys this weekend?

kudu56,

They are in their dark phase during the winter months here. Right now they are lighter as you can tell from the hunt photo's.

Good Hunting,

Bob C.

Bob,

I must confess.....this particular lease is high fenced...but there is a good sized herd that is on it. I didn't go turkey hunting this weekend but I am leaving this friday to go!

blackbuck

[ 04-11-2003, 04:39: Message edited by: T ]

[ 04-07-2003, 16:59: Message edited by: TXPO ]

TXPO,

Good luck with the gobblers!!!!

Bob

Hey everyone, just saw the post for first time, great pictures!!!
Beautiful animals and very nice to hunt them, the color works the same way down here, but the other way round , they're black on OUR winter.
Congrats and sorry for not looking it before!!
Thanks for sharing them.
LG

Another one

blackbucks are darker the more dominate male they are... not just older... if you find a nice 4 curl, with a DARK coat... and about 20" of horn,, SHOOT

they've been shot out TWICE in india/pakistan and had to be reintroduced from the texas population...

small, wary, elusive, and TOUGH...

jeffe

with a nice "book" bb on my fireplace, and going to take a doe or two in may