Oryx-1-102, is this a good tag?

[DonMartin]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-17-10 AT 02:32PM (MST)[p]Don't ask me how this happened, but I just found out that I drew a tag for Oryx-1-102 for Oct. 9-10.

Obviously I have never been there, nor hunted these critters before.

So I ask you New Mexico guys, is this a good hunt, and while it is for either sex, I would like one that is considered a "trophy" class animal.

So what does one look for?

I'm a guide in Arizona (www.Arizona Wildlife Outfitters.com)have good glassing equipment.

Any thoughts on this?

Don Martin

 

[AntlerAddictionOutfitters]

You drew an awesome hunt Don, PM me if you have any questions about the hunt...

 

[DonMartin]

p.m. sent, thanks for the quick response.

Don Martin

 

[AntlerAddictionOutfitters]

pm sent!

 

[Cuacopollo]

Yes, thats a great hunt. Bring your best glass and be able to shoot accurately really far and you will do great!

 

[ElkSniper]

I drew Oryx-1-118, and went on the hunt this past Jan 16-17 and this is what I got.

39"x27" BROKEN

I think any tag on range is one heck of a good tag. Dont forget to post your success.

Good Luck,

ElkSniper

 

[DonMartin]

Thanks for all the help and information, I sure got a lot to think and do before the hunt starts.

That broken horn guy (I guess it is a bull, see I am still trying to figure out the sex) is a cool looking critter.

How far was your shot? What area did you hunt in?

How does the Rhodes Canyon area compare to the other areas as far as trophy potential goes?

Anyone out there use a guide on their hunt?

I think judging these beasts would be the hardest part of this once-in-a-lifetime hunt.

October is along ways off, but I'm sure I'll write a story or two about this experience.

Don Martin

 

[OLBUZZTAIL]

Don Martin...PM SENT!

Hunting is Life...everything else is
Just details.
Ol' Buzztail...

 

[leftturnabq]

My dad drew the same hunt.

It is an awesome hunt!!

 

[ElkSniper]

Don Martin... My oryx was a cow. It's kinda hard to determine the sex. The bulls tend to have really thick horns. My shot was about 150 yards. We were hunting on the stallion range. I have never been on rhodes canyon but will some day. This year my mom and my tio both drew. My mom drew stallion in November and my tio drew his MI hunt and he gets to pick the date to hunt. So looking forward to that.

 

[basselkNM]

ANY ORYX TAG IS A GOOD TAG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RabidRattleSnake1]

+1 on "Any oryx tag is a good tag". I would kill to have another off range tag. Seen a lot of oryx off range. Only have drawn one tag and that hunt only lasted till 2:00 PM the first day........

 

[basselkNM]

I hear that i cant even draw a offrange tag and believe me i wont do anything for any kind of oryx tag. took a buddy of mine last year in july and we killed a 38inch bull was an awesome hunt

 

[NMPaul]

Gotta agree with basselkNM. Any oryx tag is a good tag.








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[nmyotebuster]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-22-10 AT 09:51PM (MST)[p]Here is a bit of pics to give you some judging criteria.

Top left is a 2 year old bull ( about 25" ), shot at 326 yds. Top right, a 5 year old BH cow ( broken horn) shot at about 100 yds

Bottom left and right are the same oryx, about 2.5 year old bull ( 26"), shot at about 150-175 yds


32" bull, probably 3.5 years old, shot about 225 yds

Another view ( notice the hump on the front shoulders, this grows as they age )

There are a lot of folks kind enough to post their pics on here and to let us know how big their Oryx were. Study these photos, and REALLY read the post COMPASSWEST shares wiht us all every year on What every oryx hunter should know

Rhodes Canyon has some BIG oryx, but if you don't take the time to learn how to judge em a bit, then you may not hit your "goal" in size. Longer/thinner horns tend to be cows. Heavy bases with big rings tend to be bulls.

I cannot repeat enough what others have said though, ANY oryx is a great oryx.

Know their anatomy, KNOW your rifle.

Here is an example, where I would shoot this oryx, maybe an inch or two lower & forward, but it will put it down.

We took 2 off range, and 2 on range ( in as much as Mcgregor is on range), this year and are blessed again this year with my middle daughter going for them off-range in Dec.

Congrats on your draw, now go shoot one so you can show us your pics.

NMYB



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Teach your kids to hunt now, and you won't have to hunt for them later.

 

[DonMartin]

Thanks for all those photos...They sure are welcomed, and when its all said and done, I am sure no matter what happens, it will be a good experience, one I will value the rest of my life!

Don