Between Turkey Seasons....

[GobbleNut]

...This is what we get to do here in New Mexico (if we're lucky enough to draw a permit).  This is an African oryx,...also called a Gemsbok.  These are free-ranging animals that were transplanted onto White Sands Missile Range back in the sixties.  They have done so well that they now inhabit a good part of southern NM.  The state allows about 2000 permits for them each year.

Me and a buddy had permits for July.  I killed this guy (a small bull) on the second morning.  He killed his on the fourth day we went out.   Pretty cool to get to go on an African safari within an hours drive of my house! 

[anthonyjhallen]

Way to go Jim.  Thems good eatin. 

[honker22]

Congrats!  What a cool/beautiful animal

[dirt road ninja]

Looks like fun.

[hookedspur]

 

[flintlock]

That is awesome, way to go!
Wess

[Basser69]

Congrats! I wish we had something like that around here to hunt this time of year.

[Flydown]

Awesome. Congrats! 

[TRKYHTR]

Nice Oryx Jim. Haven't you killed one of those before? How often do you get drawn?

TRKYHTR

[turkey slayer]

Thats a beauty! congrats!

[njdevilsb]

That is very cool.  That's my number 1 priority if I ever go hunting in Africa.  Pretty cool that we have them somewhat close to home, depending.

[guesswho]

Cool!  Congrats.  I bet Rob Keck is responsible for them being transplanted.

Are they as smart as turkeys?

[GobbleNut]

To respond to the questions:

The oryx are really a neat addition to our hunting opportunity here.  The state is pretty proud of them, though,....for nonresidents, the cost for the license is around $1,500....if you can get drawn.   However, the odds of killing one of them are high.

I have been lucky as a resident to have been able to hunt them six times,...and have killed one each time I have drawn.   The odds of drawing a permit are about one in ten,....and my buddy and I have drawn three years in a row,...and like five times in the last eight years or so!  I need to buy some lottery tickets.....

(...And yes, Ronnie, ...Rob is Da'Man!  Without him, there would be no oryx,....or turkeys....
...I haven't seen one of them fly up on a feeder yet, though...., but the NWTF is training them as we speak....) 

[guesswho]

And yes, Ronnie, ...Rob is Da'Man!  Without him, there would be no oryx,....or turkeys....
...I haven't seen one of them fly up on a feeder yet, though...., but the NWTF is training them as we speak....) 

Looks like they could just take their horns and poke a couple big holes in the bottom of the feeder, no need to learn to fly then.  Probably be safer too!   

[GobbleNut]

And yes, Ronnie, ...Rob is Da'Man!  Without him, there would be no oryx,....or turkeys....
...I haven't seen one of them fly up on a feeder yet, though...., but the NWTF is training them as we speak....) 

Looks like they could just take their horns and poke a couple big holes in the bottom of the feeder, no need to learn to fly then.  Probably be safer too!   

Yep,....they will try to poke a hole in us once in a while if we're not careful!