Texas is the exotic hunting capital of North America, and this hunt puts you on carefully managed private ranches holding some of the most striking animals you’ll ever hunt. Blackbuck antelope with corkscrew horns, scimitar oryx with sweeping curved horns, and spiral-horned addax: species that look like they belong on a safari, without needing a passport or a plane ticket to Africa. Species available include blackbuck antelope, scimitar oryx, addax, aoudad, axis deer, gemsbok, nilgai, fallow deer, sika deer, red stag, Rocky Mountain elk, and exotic rams and goats.
Exotic hunting in Texas runs almost all year, so you can hunt when most seasons are closed. It’s a great fit for a first exotic, a father-son or family trip, or a trophy collector filling out the wall. If you’re headed to Texas, we also book a free-range gemsbok oryx hunt and a free-range Hill Country axis deer hunt with this same crew.
The Hunt
These are fully guided spot-and-stalk hunts. You’ll glass open country, close the distance on foot and use shooting sticks to set up for the shot. Your guide scouts the ranch before you arrive, so you spend your time hunting the mature animals you came for. Shots usually come from 100 to 300 yards.
Species Available
- Blackbuck Antelope: a fast, sharp-eyed native of India. Mature bucks wear jet-black coats and tall, spiraling horns.
- Scimitar Oryx: named for their long, backswept horns. After it disappeared from the wild in Africa, Texas ranch herds helped keep the species going.
- Addax: a desert antelope from the Sahara with long, twisting horns and a pale coat. It’s one of the most sought-after exotics in Texas.
- Aoudad: the tough, sharp-eyed Barbary sheep of the Texas mountains. It’s a true sheep hunt without the sheep-tag price.
- Axis Deer: spotted deer with long, sweeping antlers. Many hunters call them the best-eating deer in the world.
- Gemsbok: a big, bold-faced oryx with long, straight horns. Also offered as a free-range hunt.
- Nilgai: the largest antelope in Asia. Bulls carry a blue-gray coat and are famously tough.
- Fallow Deer: deer with wide, flattened antlers, found in several color phases from white to chocolate.
- Sika Deer: a small, spotted Asian deer known for its whistle calls during the rut.
- Red Stag: the classic European stag, with heavy antlers and a roaring rut.
- Rocky Mountain Elk: big bulls on private Texas ranches, with no draw and no tag lottery.
- Exotic Rams & Goats: big-horned rams and goats with heavy, curling horns.
Pricing
- Blackbuck Antelope Hunt: $6,050 USD
- Scimitar Oryx Hunt: $8,250 USD
- Axis Deer Hunt: $6,050 USD
- Aoudad Hunt: $8,250 USD
- Addax Hunt: $10,000 USD
- Free-Range Gemsbok Hunt: $13,500 USD
- Nilgai, Fallow Deer, Sika Deer, Red Stag, Rocky Mountain Elk, Exotic Rams & Goats: pricing on request. Ask your hunt consultant.
- Rates are confirmed for your season when you book
What’s Included
- Fully guided hunt (2×1)
- 2 full hunting days plus two half days (arrival and departure)
- Ranch-style lodging
- Home-style cooked meals
- Professional guides
- Field prep of your trophy
What’s Not Included
- Texas hunting license
- Travel to and from the ranch
- Gratuities
- Taxidermy and trophy shipping
- Personal gear (rifle, optics, boots, snake gaiters)
Physical Level
Easy to moderate. The ground can be rocky and covered in cactus, and summer hunts are hot. Hunts can be set up at whatever pace you’re comfortable with, which makes this a good trip for younger hunters, older hunters and anyone new to spot-and-stalk hunting.
Trip Requirements
You’ll need a valid Texas hunting license. Bring a rifle in .270 caliber or larger that you shoot well, quality binoculars, shooting sticks, broken-in leather boots that can handle cactus and sharp rock, a light jacket, rain gear, sunscreen and bug spray. Snake gaiters are strongly recommended. Want a sheep-like challenge in the same country? Take a look at our West Texas aoudad hunt.
Is exotic hunting in Texas open year-round?
Yes. Exotic species like blackbuck, scimitar oryx and addax have no closed season in Texas, so these hunts can run almost any time of year. Spring and early summer are especially popular because most other big game seasons are closed.
Do I need a hunting license to hunt exotics in Texas?
Yes. Texas requires a valid hunting license to hunt exotic animals. Non-residents can buy one online from Texas Parks and Wildlife before the trip.
What’s the difference between a scimitar oryx and a gemsbok?
Both are oryx, but they look very different. A scimitar oryx has a pale coat with a reddish-brown neck and long horns that curve back like a sword. A gemsbok has a gray body, bold black-and-white face markings and long horns that are nearly straight. We book both: scimitar oryx on this hunt and gemsbok on our free-range Texas oryx hunt.
WO Trip Protection
For 5% of your trip cost, we guarantee your hunt. If the outfitter cancels, goes out of business, or a wildfire shuts down the area — we rebook you on a comparable hunt at no extra cost.
Ask your consultant about adding trip protection when you book.
Talk to a Consultant
