new mexico oryx

[harveymarv]

I got lucky and drew an off-range oryx tag in New Mexico in November. Anyone have any tips or jumping off points on this hunt? I’ve heard oryx is delicious and this will be my first time to New Mexico so I’m pretty stoked..

[redi]

No sorry. Definitely a bucket list congratulations and keep us posted on how you do. Good luck

[boneaddict]

I put in for years but never drew a ticket.   I hope you have a great experience.

[time2hunt]

Study up on shot placement is my first recommendation. Second is that they are a flighty like antelope and when they take off they go for miles. And yes they are probably one of the best eating game animal I’ve killed. Once you kill one you need to get it gutted and skinned out they have a thick hide and hold heat. Good luck it’s a fun hunt.


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[Rob]

Gemsbok are tough animals.   Select your firearm like you are hunting big elk.

Both males and females have horns.  The female horns are usually longer than the males but they considerably thinner.  The male horns are thick and stocky.  Both are good trophies.

It can be very hard to judge a trophy are the horns are roughly proportional to the size of the animal.  Basically two gemsbok can look the same size, but with closer observation one might turn out to be significantly larger, just at a different distance. 

They are TOUGH.  Keep shooting till it is down and keep your sights on it until you are positive it is not coming back up.  Their barrel chested tall torsos make for an odd sight picture.  If you are following up make sure you are shooting at the same animal.  They are like clones of each other and all look the same.  If a wounded one mingles with the herd it can be difficult to figure out which one is which.  Someone I know....  made a poor first shot on one in Namibia.  It took 8 follow-up hits with a 338 Winmag at ranges 60 - 100 yards to anchor it.  It will go down easy with a good shot but make a bad one and they soak up lead like wet newspaper.

I went to school in Las Cruces and we use to see them from time to time along hwy 70 while on the way to hunt in Cloudcroft/Ruidoso.  I always dreamed of hunting them at Whitsands!  Congrats and savor the hunt!  Start putting in for Ibex in the NM Florida mountians near Grant's NM next!

[Rob]

I cannot recomend this book high enough for African game.

The perfect shot by Kevin Doctori. (Version 1 and 2 are both great).

It covers animal descriptions, rifle cartridge recommendations, bullet construction recommendations trophy assessment, and of course shot placement.  I verified perfect shot 1 and 2 both have gemsbok.

My copies are dog eared.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/126606957636

[280ackley]

I hunted them on the White Sands quite a few years ago. Everything said above is accurate, shot placement is important, they are flighty and they are delicious. I took mine with a .300 WSM pushing 168gr Barnes TSX.

[nwwanderer]

Check out Hunt'n Fool, heed the glass and fuel is cheaper in NM!!!  Great luck

[pd]

A general observation: I know nothing about the target species, but for a Washington state based hunting forum, there is a lot of great information for the topic.  I am very impressed!

[b0bbyg]

Have family down in Las Cruces, have heard they are one of the best eating game animals around there.  Brother in law has seen them where mentioned above when out hiking or rock hounding

[harveymarv]

thanks for the tips; I'll hopefully have a good story to tell after November

[harveymarv]

thanks for the tips; I'll hopefully have a good story to tell after November

it was a fun hunt, lots of glassing and driving. got fortunate on day 4 and found a nice one - as has been said, oryx are great eating. beautiful country in new mexico, beautiful animals.

[Dan-o]

That's pretty awesome.     

[Mtnwalker]

Cool looking critter, congrats! Thanks for the update, seems like there are less and less these days.

Did you pass on any before this or was this the first encounter of the hunt?

[hunterednate]

That painted euro looks so cool. Beautiful animal. Thanks for posting and congrats on a great trophy!