Rhodes Canyon Oryx!!! (new pic p3)

[Rob]

Sorry, had one more thought...

I found the gemsbok to be perhaps the most difficult to judge trophy size on.  So hopefully the MP's or whoever guides you will be a good judge.

Both Bulls and Cows have horns.  Cows horns are much longer than the Bulls, but they are thinner.  Bulls horns are shorter, but have a lot more mass.  Both make stunning mounts and I was torn between shooting a cow or a bull.

When looking at them from a distance, it is really hard to tell length with the way those horns go straight back.  About the only way I could come close to judging a trophy, or tell a bull from a cow, was to look at thickness and length when compared to the rest of the herd.  Also try looking at horn length relative to the body length, but that of course does not always work when you are looking at a smaller bodied animal...

I'm jealous!  You guys will have a great hunt!

[280ackley]

Thanks for the help Rob.

[Slider]

African animals vitals are farther forward then ours. You simply need to shoot strait up the front leg lower third of the body.(heart shot) That is from the African Perfect Shot Manual. Just remember not in the crease behind the front shoulder but strait up the front leg. That is where I arrowed my Bull at 34 yards and he ran about 70!!! A complete pass though using a 100gr Silver Flame!!! 

[Rob]

That is a beautiful animal, and a great photo.

Bull, right?  How long did he go?  What country?

Nice Kudu in your Avitar as well.

[Rob]

This is what I was talking about regarding selecting a trophy Gemsbok. 

hit these links and decide which ones to shoot:
http://www.musicactive.co.za/images/Addo-Eco-Estate-Resort/gemsbok.jpg
http://www.ravenwear.ca/beautiful_landscape_with_gemsbok.jpg
http://www.monteco.co.za/gemsbok1.jpg
http://www.namibiasafari.info/images/etosha_pan_gemsbok.jpg
http://www.capetownroutes.com/images-pictures-calendar-south-africa/capetown/gemsbok_nationalpark.jpg

Some are easy to weed out, but others require a pretty keen eye.

[Slider]

I took my Bull in R.S.A. He was 34". I only saw one more Bull about this size the rest were smaller. The other guy in my camp took a 32". They are VERY hard to judge. You see a herd of Gemsbok and they all look like their horns are 3 feet tall!!! If you are trying to harvest a Bull it is even more difficult!!!

[Rob]

That is a nice bull.

All four of us took one on our hunt.  Mine was the smallest at 31.5.  My buddies was 32.5, and his Dad's was 32.  My Dad got the big one on our trip taking a 35 incher.  It is funny when you look at them though, mine looks bigger because the horns are close together.  his looks smaller but the are splayed out and are nearly 4 inches longer!  Mine did not make SCI minimums, but the other three went Bronze.

See what I mean in these photos?  I think mine looks the same size or maybe a bit bigger, but in reality his is significantly larger.

[Rob]

Sorry to revive this thread, but I thought it better than starting a new one.

For any of you folks who drew the NM Oryx hunt, There is an article in latest issue of The Safari Club Magazine that might be of interest.

He was doing a badge hunt (meaning he had to know someone stationed on the base to hunt the land) and had a pretty challenging hunt.

[testar77]

I just watched a hunting show last night where somebody shot one down there in New Mexico.  Looked like there is quite a few of them runnin around there!!

[Bean Counter]

New Mexico has done well for themselves by investing in these game animals (along with Barbary Sheep in the plains and Persian Ibex in the Florida Mountains) over the last half century. I spent some time there last year and am really impressed with the quality of animals I've seen. Unfortunately I didn't read the fine print in the regs that the app deadline for Oryx is a month before the general hunt 

They say that oryx is a darned tasty meal. Lots of 'em in that range, too. You're correct, testar: most hunters have no problem tagging out in a day or two.

I am headed to New Mexico this weekend for some coyote and feral hog hunting.

[280ackley]

I just got back from New Mexico.  Here is a pic of my Oryx.  She was the number two cow for the hunt and my dad killed the number one bull for the hunt.  Thanks to everyone who had sent me info throughout the year.

[Bearhunter]

Very nice Oryx Bearmartin!  It sure was worth the wait wasnt it.  Way to go she must be pushing 39" huh?

[bucklucky]

Congrats on the nice Oryx!!

[byrdman]

Nice work Mr. Martin. Looks like you and your dad had a successful trip.

Is that three for Hunt-Wa members this year?

[Rob]

outstanding!  How long are those horns?