Off Range Oryx!!!

BrianID

Very Active Member
Messages
2,148
I've been trying to draw Oryx for years and finally got lucky. I have the June hunt which doesn't give me as much time to scout as I would like. However, I don't live far from the missile range so I hope to be able to scout at least five or six days before the hunt opens.
I have a few questions and hope some of you might be willing to help me out. I already have a few ideas of where to look for off range Oryx but wouldn't mind any tips on areas to look if anyone is willing to share. I've killed about 10 coyotes in Southern New Mexico in 2018 so I'm familiar with some of the areas around the missile range. I have never hunted Oryx or been on an Oryx hunt. I'm experienced at hunting elk, deer and pronghorn. I'm not interested in a guided hunt. I would rather kill a small broken horn cow by myself than kill a monster with a guide. Any Oryx would be a trophy to me, if I consistently see some larger Oryx while scouting then I will probably hold off shooting for the first part of June but by the end of June I would like to take some quality meat home. If I don't see much while scouting I'll probably shoot the first legal Oryx I see.

#1 Does anyone think it would be a mistake to shoot the first legal Oryx? I'll probably have 8 or so days spread through June to hunt. Mostly weekdays.

#2 I plan on hunting Oryx like I would pronghorn. Is it true that it can be productive to hunt Oryx in the middle of the day like it is for pronghorn?

#3 How are Oryx affected by wind? On windy days will they stay bedded down or in more protected areas or do they seem to not care about wind?

#4 My main strategy will be to cover a lot of ground like I was hunting pronghorn. I stop and glass good looking areas for 5 or 10 minutes but at this point don't plan on glassing one spot for long periods of time. Even though most of the country looks fairly open I know they can blend in but I don't plan on hunting them like mule deer where I will sit on one good spot and glass for 2-4 hours in the morning. Does anyone think getting on one good vantage point and glassing from a tripod for 2-4 hours in the morning is effective use of time?

#5 How nomadic are the Off Range Oryx? With 10 months of hunting pressure I'm guessing they are very nomadic . Do they come back to the same areas after being spooked or will they be 10 miles away (or on back on the missile range) and not likely to return? If they aren't spooked by hunters, do they tend to stay in the same areas or are they always on the move?

#6 How is the hunting pressure? There are 80 tags and a lot of square miles to look for Oryx so I'm expecting to not see many if any other hunters. I'll mostly hunt weekdays, spread throughout the month.

#7 Is it reasonable to try to kill one with a bow? I'm planning on having my 338 Lapua as my primary gun and 300 Win Mag as a back up gun. I've kill several deer and elk with my bow but I've found spot and stalk pronghorn hunting to be much more challenging. Since I don't think I would get many stalk opportunities, I was going to leave the bow at home. Anyone ever get an Off Range Oryx with their bow?

#8 I plan on hunting public land only. Is it a mistake to not look for private land to hunt on?

#9 Is it a mistake to not get a guide for this hunt? The money isn't an issue and horn size isn't either. I've always done my hunts without a guide and enjoy the satisfaction of getting it done myself. However, I would be disappointed if I spent a 15 or so days between scouting and hunting without ever seeing an Oryx.

#10 How good are their eyes? Are they like pronghorn or more comparable to deer and elk?

#11 Any other advice that you have for someone that hasn't hunted Oryx?


If I could get some answers to most if not all these questions I would really appreciate it. I'll probably have more questions in the next month or two. I've been on MM for over 15 years and will keep my hunt updated with pictures. The more help I get here, the more I'll come back and give updates. Send me a PM or email if you don't want to share in an open forum.

I have Friday and Saturday off and was planing on going turkey hunting but now I'm thinking about scouting for Oryx.
 
Shoot first oryx you can.

Hard to glass in middle of day due to heat waves, but, got to try.

Dont like hard winds, but, should not be to bad that time of year. They do bed more during day. Though they have distinct lines they till seem to blend in to the landscape. They can stand very still for very long periods of time. Often their tails swishing gives them away.

Be tough to find a guide for this hunt.

There is private land available to hunt and may be good option if you got limited time.

They can see excellent.

Stop and look for fresh tracks wherever you go.

Very tough hunt if you do not have a good starting spot. Even then very tough.
 
NMPaul, good info! My son's youth hunt w/ be a limited time situation. We'll try to hunt 7-8 days though. In your opinion what is the best way to identify the private land options?
 
It's a great hunt just gotta do you're homework in the field every chance you get went 4-4 last year. Paul ,why would it be hard to find a guide ?
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-19-18 AT 07:04AM (MST)[p]
#1) I'd plan on shooting the first legal one you see, unless you find a "honey hole". My last two off-range hunts lasted 8-9 days each before I got a shot, and felt lucky to get one. But the success rates are still pretty decent so someone is finding them.

Ditto everything else NMPaul said, especially about looking for tracks across roads and fence crossings. I carried a broom to sweep away old tracks, which makes finding new ones easier. And I kept a log book/map. The area I hunted most they would come and go from the missile range, but I could never figure out a pattern.
 
I saw a video once of a guy swatting one on the butt.

Speaks to 1) mid-day bedding, 2) what they do when it gets windy, and 3) whether you want to bring your bow. ... But really, I've not heard of many guys being successful with a bow.
 
>It's a great hunt just gotta
>do you're homework in the
>field every chance you get
>went 4-4 last year. Paul
>,why would it be hard
>to find a guide ?
>


We saw your bull about 1000 Times you went 4 for four on off range oryx I guess I missed those pics ??
 
Thank you everyone for the help. I had some time off work the last couple days that I planned on spending Turkey hunting but spent most of it scouting for Oryx instead. I have a few good spots figured out already but still plan on spending another 5 or 6 days scouting before June 1st.

Does anyone think it would be worth my time to look in Unit 29?

What habitat looks best for Oryx to you?
I'm thinking I could find them in all these types of places but I'm curious what everyone else thinks.

#1
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#2
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#3
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#4
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#5
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LAST EDITED ON Apr-21-18 AT 07:53PM (MST)[p]Last weekend I saw one within easy rifle range north-side of 380 last weekend, not far from the rock shop. Of course April is one of 2 months they are not hunted.

Regarding the pics of terrain, they could be anywhere, but the last 2 I shot were in thicker yucca patches.
 
No, I didn't see any Oryx yesterday but saw a number or pronghorn. Surprisingly I didn't see a coyote all day either. I never even looked through my binoculars all day which is very rare for me. I was just quickly driving from spot to spot to look over some country that I had never been to that I wanted to check out. Starting in May I'll start spending more time behind the glass.
 
My turkey tag was a wasted purchase this year. I've been scouting oryx 7 different days so far.
So far I have only seen two off range Oryx. One had two broken horns that didn't look any longer than its ears. It isn't going to be an easy hunt. If you don't have the time to scout and significant time to put into the hunt, it could be easy to come home without any Oryx meat on this hunt. I'll end up putting in at least 12 days of scouting and plan on at least 8 days of hunting and I might still end up without any Oryx meat.
Attached are pictures of an Oryx I would be thrilled to kill. At this point I would have a hard time passing on a Oryx with double broken horns that are 3" long each. I still might pass on a broken horn the first day or two but it still depends on what I see scouting the next 3 weeks. The Oryx was about 1600 yards away so the picture quality isn't very good.
I know it will be hard to accurately judge from pictures but does anyone want to guess horn length?
I'm guessing at least 33" but I have no real world experience judging them.



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LAST EDITED ON May-09-18 AT 02:09PM (MST)[p]Don't get too caught up in length. My dad's 38" and my 32" bulls from RSA look similar until you put them side by side. They are striking animals regardless of length. I've read that with head down feeding, horns at the withers are about 30". Since this isn't necessarily a OIAL tag, just shoot the first one that makes you feel good.

I would say that one, if it is a mature animal, is probably closer to 35", but not exactly the ideal angle.
 
LAST EDITED ON May-09-18 AT 07:18PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON May-09-18 AT 07:16?PM (MST)

LAST EDITED ON May-09-18 AT 07:13?PM (MST)

>>It's a great hunt just gotta
>>do you're homework in the
>>field every chance you get
>>went 4-4 last year. Paul
>>,why would it be hard
>>to find a guide ?
>>
>
>
>We saw your bull about 1000
>Times you went 4 for
>four on off range oryx
>I guess I missed those
>pics ??

Not my pics to post smart guy. If a client wants to post them great . I won't do that.

Over the years I've shared pics of several bulls among other things.You have any pics of dead things Mr 10 posts and talking s|-|it ?
 
BrianID,
Great questions.. a lot to respond to. Everyone hit on all your topics, but your more then welcome to call me anytime 575-993-6066.

Good Luck..
 
BUGLEnmIN,

I live less than 15 miles from the fence, so it isn't hard for me to spend a half day looking around a couple times per week. Scouting is half the fun in the hunt. I hope to get one on the ground opening morning but it isn't going to be an easy hunt. Putting in the work now will help me not waste anytime in less productive once the hunt opens.

BluffGruff,

I'm not going to pass on any Oryx that I think is over 30? unless a bigger one is standing next to it. I'll even have a hard time passing on one with two broken horns.

Oryxrus,
I'll probaby give you a call sometime in the next few days.
 
I had the tag last July and like you hunted mainly during the week. I finally ran into a very small cow after 9 days of hunting on the 3rd week of the hunt.

If you have a pickup I would advise taking a step ladder and using it in the bed of the pickup to glass. Much of the land is flat and the higher you can get the better. I climbed up on the luggage rack of my SUV.

I only saw one other Oryz off-range and it disappeared, I think onto the range but I could not find where it crossed.

Many gave me the advice to look for places they cross under the fence but I never found one.

Good Luck.
 
Thank you everyone for the help. As promised I'm coming back with pictures. I can't wait for the hunt to open. I've only seen 6 off range oryx in 10 days of scouting. Now that I'm spending more time behind glass than driving around exploring I'm seeing them on a more regular basis.

I didn't intend to get this close to these Oryx but had them at about 250 yards. I was able to slip out of there without spooking them. They do have sharp eyes because one of them had me pegged for a few minutes. If it was a deer I doubt it would have noticed me. Based on my limited experience, they do have eyes more comparable to pronghorn.

I'm guessing this one is just under 30?. I think it is a younger one but if it is all I see opening morning, I will be more than happy with it.
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The larger one in these pictures I believe is a bull. It is difficult to judge horn size in these pictures but I'm guessing around 32? or 33?.
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I was warned about snakes. I hope I don't come across many more but will have snake chaps on if I'm walking through areas I can't spot snakes as well. It really wasn?t happy to have me walking through it's area.
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Your hard work is paying off! Damn good work! Can't wait to see your ground pic with one of those bad boys!
 
I have said this in another post, but don't shy away from shooting a Oryx that is broken on one side. If you see a giant and it's busted on one side any great taxidermist can cast the horn and make a replica for the busted side. I hear so many stories of hunters who pass on a huge Oryx due to it being broken on one side only to come home with a 2 sided 25 to 30 incher.
 
Geno,
How about deer? I had been watching a giant for weeks before the hunt and opening morning I had him at 25 yards ,one antler busted off at the eye guard and passed him up.
 
Antlers are a bit more tricky, individual points that are broken can be casted and fixed. Main beams are an entirely different animal but It's possible to recreate an entire side, it's costly due to the time it takes to build it out of wire and epoxy putty. Iv done a entire side of a 5x5 and I believe the repair cost almost nearly the amount of the mount.
 
Thank you everyone for your help. Hunt starts tomorrow. I've put in 15 days of scouting. (Most were only partial days in either morning or evening) I've driven over a 1500 miles in my 4Runner to explore different areas around the missle range and have not seen a single off range oryx while driving.
I'm sure it is possible to drive around and spot an oryx from your vehicle but I really believe the best way to find an off range oryx is by putting on a pair of snake boots and spending some time behind binoculars on a tripod. Even though it looks fairly open the oryx are difficult to spot. My snake chaps are hot when it is 100 degrees and my pant legs were soaked with sweat this morning but I need to keep my eyes up looking for oryx instead of watching for snakes. If you spend time walking around you will come across rattle snakes. It isn't fun hearing a rattler but not see it because the grass/brush around your ankles is too thick.

Below is a picture of an Orxy I glassesd up this morning. He was about 1200 yards away, so the picture quality isn't all that great. I hope to get close up picture of me and him together tomorrow. It would be even better if I could find his big brother but there is no way I will pass him up if I find him tomorrow.
I don't have any really experience judging oryx but I'm guessing he is close to 30?.

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Bravo on a great thread and good luck tomorrow.

Are you using a Phoneskope? Some of those pictures are nice!
 
Nice looking oryx, an off-range shooter for sure, but hope you can find the bigger one.

Good Luck!
 
You don't pass that up offrange! Youre definitely deserve to get one on the ground. One of the better threads I've seen in a while . Post a dead oryx tomorrow!
 
I haven't tagged out yet. It isn't an easy hunt. On opening day, all I saw was a double broken horn oryx a mile away that I elected not to go after. I had a family vacation and wasn't able to hunt for the next 7 days.
Today I had a close call with the one in the picture below. Picture was taken from more than a mile away so quality isn't very good.
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I was able to close the distance to 500 yards. He had no clue I was there but he moved into some thick brush and I wasn't able to relocate him. I'm sure I spooked him when I tried closing the distance but never saw him take off because the brush was too thick. It is very challenging to find an oryx and trying to close the distance and get a shot is also very difficult due to the terrain they live in. I also came across two rattle snakes today.
Even if you know where the oryx are and put in a good effort, off range oryx is far from a sure thing.
 
I'm sure this is obvious but if possible take a freind with some radios. It's best to leave a spotter when your moving in so you have a idea of whats going on. We are all pulling for you man go get em! I just sent you a pm.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-17-18 AT 10:23PM (MST)[p]I finally tagged out yesterday. It was a very tough hunt but that is what makes it satisfying.
Yesterday I left work at 7 am and started hunting with a walk in the rain. The rain was a nice change because it really isn't enjoyable to hike around in the hot desert in the middle of the day for more than a couple hours at a time. Instead of calling it a day at 11 am I decided to stay out and continue walking around the desert and hope to find some fresh tracks to follow or get lucky and stumble on a bedded oryx. There are a lot of roads to drive but I don't think road hunting is an effective way to hunt off range oryx because they are spooky and will hear or see you driving from a mile away and run off before you see them.

Even though I was already very tired my persistence payed off. Around 1 pm I found some fresh tracks and followed them for about a mile. Around 2pm I had an oryx jump out of his bed right in front of me. I had the wind in my favor and he didn't seem to know what I was so I decided to wait for him to stop so I could get a good clean shot without messing up a bunch of meat. Finally when he was about 150 yards out he stopped. Unfortunately only his head was visible. If he would take a couple steps to either side, he would provide a good clean shot. He didn't appear too spooked and we starred each other down for about 3 minutes. Instead of taking a couple steps to the side, he took off running again. I waited for him to stop again for a clean shot. When he was about 250 yards away it became apparent that he may not stop again and would be out of sight soon so I took my shot. Fortunately the liver was the only meat I lost. In hindsight I should have shot this animal when he was closer but I would still hold out for a good clean shot in a similar situation in the future.
The only picture I'm going to share is a head shot because the 338 Lapua really did a number on him. I've only killed an elk and this oryx with the Lapua so far and neither took another step.

I still had a 2 plus mile walk back to my vehicle as the crow flies but was able to have him cut up and in iced coolers by 5pm. Taking care of the meat in the summer desert heat quickly presents a different challenge to the hunt that has to be planned for. I was exhausted at the end of the day but look forward to my next hunt. He isn't the biggest oryx but I'm very happy with him. If you try trophy hunting with an off range oryx tag you better have a lot of time and some luck or you will go home with tag soup.

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Thank you to everyone who helped me out.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-17-18 AT 10:35PM (MST)[p]Congrats on the oryx, you really earned it!

And BTW I face a similar dilemma on an off-range oryx several years ago. It is a depredation type hunt, so I guess I justified taking a shot that I would never take on any other hunt, that is the famous "Texas Heart Shot". It worked surprisingly well, oryx ran about 100 yards and keeled over dead. Also didn't mess up any meat. (I don't consider liver to be "meat")
 
Very well done. I'm especially impressed that you're able to lug a 338 Lapua around in the desert heat. You earned that baby...
 
Overall, I think if someone is coming from out of the area to hunt oryx and paying $1600 for a tag, I think they are better off on a private land oryx hunt that they can buy OTC in NM. NM off range oryx takes a lot of time to be successful.

JRABQ,

I had multiple excellent Texas Heart shot opportunity at this oryx. At 50 or 100 yards I'm sure I would have put him on the ground but it would have likely been a real mess when It came to the meat. I almost let him go without taking a shot at all but my crosshairs were steady and I felt comfortable with the shot. In 2018, I've killed about a dozen coyotes. It is much more difficult to put a running coyote on the ground than a big animal like an oryx.

Mozey,

My Lapua weighs over 14lbs and is a real pain to pack around but I normally keep it in a scabbard in my backpack so it isn't too bad. My pack during this hunt probably averaged over 40lbs which was much heavier than necessary but I justified the extra stuff in my pack as a way to keep my self in good physical shape for this falls hunts.

carnicero,

Good luck to your 13 year old. I really like how NM gives good opportunities to kids to hunt. If you have never hunted off range oryx before, plan on it being a very difficult hunt. Psychologically it is very hard to keep hunting hard day after day when you are not seeing many animals. Even when you do finally find an oryx, it may be in a spot that makes a stalk and getting a good shot very challenging.
 
Nicely nice and well rewarded! I, too, am taking my daughter out in July for the off range experience. We are both pumped!
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-20-18 AT 02:31PM (MST)[p]Just to clarify, the Texas Heart Shot I made was not exactly intentional, and I'm not recommending it. Oryx was running straight away and I was trying to hit it in the back of the neck, aiming just above the back. I had a pretty good rest but the shot was somewhat rushed, the bullet went low and hit just under the pelvis. But it was perfectly centered so it didn't hit either HQ, I think it went a long ways into the body cavity just under the backbone (I did gutless so no autopsy). So I got lucky, a few inches either way and it would have hamburger-ed some good cuts.
 
I was also able to connect on an Off Range Hunt in July. It was fun and hot. Saw this guy and made a big circle to get around him. Finally came up over the hill and he was bedded down at 260 yds. Belly crawled for a while to get to where the hill broke and had a clear shot. First shot I nailed him just where I want and didn't think he would get up out of his bed but he sure did. Shot him on the run and he still kept going. Shot him on the run again at 415yds and he finally slowed down. Put one more in him at 450 yds to put him down. Well cutting him up there were at least 2 shots in the lungs and 1 shot right through the heart. Not sure of the order, but I was amazed that he kept going.

I need to learn to take better pictures but here he is. A bull as you can tell from the pictures. 33 inches long and had big bases.
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This picute shows the bases. The taxidermy one is my once in a lifetime oryx. That one was a 36 inch bull, but way skinnier.
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Thanks. The wife loves the oryx meat so was really hoping I would get something. Glad I was able to fill the freezer with some great meat.
 

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