Has anyone ever done any of these hunts in NM? I have always wanted to take one of each and want to do it free range. I know there is good public land for the oryx hunt, but what about the ibex? I'm sorry that I know nothing about NM, I'm going to start looking through past mag's and see if eastmans has anything about them.
Oryx and Ibex
- Thread starter lostriverproductions
- Start date
Doe Nob
Very Active Member
Eastman's, to my knowledge, hasn't mentioned them as they are non-native big game. The tags are very hard to draw, harder for the IBEX than the ORYX, you can look at the hunt report and do the odds yourself.
http://huntodds.monstermuleys.com/new_mexico/new_mexico_odds_2012.pdf
IBEX there is good public land and terrible drawing odds. The herd exists almost entirely on the Florida Mountains south of Deming. Extremely steep rough and rocky desert mountains. Archery has low success rates as its very hard to get in bow range of an Ibex, but is the quickest way to get a tag if you just want to hunt them. Muzzleloader seems to be better. If you draw this tag, I'd reccomend being in top physical condition to get around the rock.
Oryx takes places mostly on the White Sands Missle Range. There are free ranging oryx off the range on Ted Turner's place if you are not opposed to hunting private land. Private land hunts are run by Kiowa on the Armendaris ranch, here's a link:
http://www.kiowahunting.com/Hunting/Oryx.html
Now on the missle range, I have debated with myself to use a guide or not if I draw the tag. I don't think you need one BUT it is a OIL license, and you only have 2-3 days to get it done. There is plenty of info out there and people seem willing to share and help out since is OIL. Its a hard tag to draw though and not cheap, so I guess I'll decide if I ever draw it.
http://huntodds.monstermuleys.com/new_mexico/new_mexico_odds_2012.pdf
IBEX there is good public land and terrible drawing odds. The herd exists almost entirely on the Florida Mountains south of Deming. Extremely steep rough and rocky desert mountains. Archery has low success rates as its very hard to get in bow range of an Ibex, but is the quickest way to get a tag if you just want to hunt them. Muzzleloader seems to be better. If you draw this tag, I'd reccomend being in top physical condition to get around the rock.
Oryx takes places mostly on the White Sands Missle Range. There are free ranging oryx off the range on Ted Turner's place if you are not opposed to hunting private land. Private land hunts are run by Kiowa on the Armendaris ranch, here's a link:
http://www.kiowahunting.com/Hunting/Oryx.html
Now on the missle range, I have debated with myself to use a guide or not if I draw the tag. I don't think you need one BUT it is a OIL license, and you only have 2-3 days to get it done. There is plenty of info out there and people seem willing to share and help out since is OIL. Its a hard tag to draw though and not cheap, so I guess I'll decide if I ever draw it.
Doe Nob
Very Active Member
Florida's are no joke - 13 yo kid fell off a cliff and broke his femur - on a guided archery hunt!
http://www.demingheadlight.com/deming-news/ci_22298686/california-teen-rescued-from-florida-mountains
http://www.demingheadlight.com/deming-news/ci_22298686/california-teen-rescued-from-florida-mountains
Thanks for the info, I know its a tough draw but would be a sweet hunt if I drew a tag, and since its luck of the draw who knows
Montana
Veteran member
I have done the Oryx shoot. Hardly a hunt but what the heck it was different. The Ibex is high on the list though. That I hear is a tough hunt. Let me know if you have any questions on it.
Wapiti7
New Member
There's more than just once in a lifetime oryx hunts and Ted's place. On range, they also have broken horn hunts (at least one antler must be broke off by 25%)...these are usually hard to draw as all the once in a lifetimer's put in for those. There are also offrange hunts that run for a month long, usually easier to draw but tougher to locate animals off range. The on-range hunts are getting a little tougher, as I think NMGFD went a little overboard on the number of hunts/tags up until this year (drastically reduced both during last license year). My buddy went six years ago and the kill rate was at about 80%, now it's right around 50%. Just got back from my Aunt's November hunt and we didn't see nearly as many oryx as the past. It is a little different hunt and a lot of people get turned off by it, but it is still completely free range and I don't think you get any better meat than oryx. I have hunted on Turner's place and it was comparable to the range.
Hunted oryx on the small missle range on White Sands. Hardly a shoot for me and those two day hunts puts plenty of pressure on you which I didn't like. I got lucky and hired a guide who happened to be a S. african PH that help guide elk hunted in NM. Shot a nice 38 1/2 in female on the evening of the first day. We had to pack it a good mile to the truck. A fun hunt but expensive.
I since shot two more of them in S. Africa for a lot cheaper when you factor in all the other animals I shot on that hunt.
If you have the time and money go for it. Don't know if its cheaper to hunt them on private ground Vs White Sands.
I since shot two more of them in S. Africa for a lot cheaper when you factor in all the other animals I shot on that hunt.
If you have the time and money go for it. Don't know if its cheaper to hunt them on private ground Vs White Sands.
Montana
Veteran member
I actually did not like that either. For the cost associated I would have liked to enjoy the hunt a little more, take my time and experience the country. 3 or 4 days would have been nice. I shot mine on the 2nd day and it was the 8th group I had an opporunity at. It could have been a little lucky who knows.
Doe Nob
Very Active Member
It is awful hard for a non-res to fork out $1610 for a broke horn tag, that is above my current pay grade for sure. If I lived there I'd feel differently about it.
Wapiti7
New Member
Looks like NMDGF is trying to thin the ibex herd in the Florida mtns, as they just posted this.
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/publications/press_releases/documents/2013/010713ibexlicenses.html
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/publications/press_releases/documents/2013/010713ibexlicenses.html
Doe Nob
Very Active Member
I am no biologist, but that doesn't seem to be a very good way to do it: unlimited licenses, sling lead till the cap gets reported? Someone tell me how dumb I am, please, I do not comprehend.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Quota hunts are very effective in MT, and greatly benefit motivated hunters. They depend on the agency being thorough in enforcing the quota and communicating well with hunters.