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[Twolanerider]

Dead is dead, that's for sure

Got a question you'd be well positioned to answer Rog.  I've eaten lots of things over the years.  Most I even had an idea what it was.  Of all the game you've taken what's your favorite?

[RJ749]

Got a question you'd be well positioned to answer Rog.  I've eaten lots of things over the years.  Most I even had an idea what it was.  Of all the game you've taken what's your favorite?

Absolutely no question for me.  I love elk meat but when I shot my Oryx I asked the guide, "what does this eat like?"

He asked if I liked elk meat to which I replied "yes".

"Well, if you get home with this and you run out of freezer space, throw out the elk!"

Man, was he right.  That African antelope was the best eatin' wild game I have ever had the pleasure to sample.  The New Mexico Oryx are all free ranging on the White Sands Missle Range and you have to either draw a once in a lifetime tag or get a landowner tag from a nearby ranch.  I did the latter and hunted on Ted Turner's ranch in Truth or Consequences, NM which borders the White Sands range.

Dang good eatin' but expensive for out of state residents since the tag is $1500.00 as I recall.

[Twolanerider]

Absolutely no question for me.  I love elk meat but when I shot my Oryx I asked the guide, "what does this eat like?"

He asked if I liked elk meat to which I replied "yes".

"Well, if you get home with this and you run out of freezer space, throw out the elk!"

Man, was he right.  That African antelope was the best eatin' wild game I have ever had the pleasure to sample.  The New Mexico Oryx are all free ranging on the White Sands Missle Range and you have to either draw a once in a lifetime tag or get a landowner tag from a nearby ranch.  I did the latter and hunted on Ted Turner's ranch in Truth or Consequences, NM which borders the White Sands range.

Dang good eatin' but expensive for out of state residents since the tag is $1500.00 as I recall.

I really like Elk also.  Definitely a favorite.  Then again I also like antelope and have been told a couple of times that it's not a favorite among those that prefer wild game.  Though smelled a gut shot antelope once and that nearly turned me off of it forever.  Also like 'roo and alligator and, come to think of it, just about anything I can put a little appropriate seasoning on.  So maybe I'm just not that picky .

[RJ749]

I really like Elk also.  Definitely a favorite.  Then again I also like antelope and have been told a couple of times that it's not a favorite among those that prefer wild game.  Though smelled a gut shot antelope once and that nearly turned me off of it forever.  Also like 'roo and alligator and, come to think of it, just about anything I can put a little appropriate seasoning on.  So maybe I'm just not that picky .

Not so picky here either.  My moose was very good as well.

Funny thing about the oryx, cleanist smelling game animal I ever dressed out.  They drink very little water and have two stomachs that process the dried vegitation they eat.  Reminded me of the smell of fresh clean straw.

Maybe the most enjoyable hunt I have been on as well.  Great scenary, 6 hour stalk on the herd and then I got a great looking animal.  I was there with 5 friends, two were hunting and we had a super week.  Good memories.

[Twolanerider]

Not so picky here either.  My moose was very good as well.

Funny thing about the oryx, cleanist smelling game animal I ever dressed out.  They drink very little water and have two stomachs that process the dried vegitation they eat.  Reminded me of the smell of fresh clean straw.

Maybe the most enjoyable hunt I have been on as well.  Great scenary, 6 hour stalk on the herd and then I got a great looking animal.  I was there with 5 friends, two were hunting and we had a super week.  Good memories.

Prior to you mentioning that animal (the oryx) I didn't even know we had such a beast here in the states.  Being that large a mammal I assume it's native and not a transplant?  Does it have similar brethren elsewhere?

[RJ749]

Prior to you mentioning that animal (the oryx) I didn't even know we had such a beast here in the states.  Being that large a mammal I assume it's native and not a transplant?  Does it have similar brethren elsewhere?

Actually it is a transplant from Africa, the Federal government brought them here to assure their survival in the early 70's.  They brought several species as I understand it but the oryx was the lone survivor.  They are some 4-5,000 strong now and have done very well.  The local ranchers and elk hunters are not too pleased with their presence however and the NM game department keeps close watch on them.  The concern is they would go north and mess up elk habitat, but I doubt that would happen with a desert animal.

Africa has many species of similar traits and that is where the name gemsbok is from in its native Africa.  It is one of the largest antelope at 350 to 500 pounds.

[Twolanerider]

Actually it is a transplant from Africa, the Federal government brought them here to assure their survival in the early 70's.  They brought several species as I understand it but the oryx was the lone survivor.  They are some 4-5,000 strong now and have done very well.  The local ranchers and elk hunters are not too pleased with their presence however and the NM game department keeps close watch on them.  The concern is they would go north and mess up elk habitat, but I doubt that would happen with a desert animal.

Africa has many species of similar traits and that is where the name gemsbok is from in its native Africa.  It is one of the largest antelope at 350 to 500 pounds.

It certainly didn't look like a native animal to the American southwest.  So I'm not surprised.  But having only an untutored eye on such things wouldn't have put a bet on it either way.  Have to wonder with all the debate about invasive (mainly marine) species being such a hot button issue today if this policy choice from the 1970s would be practiced today?

[RJ749]

It certainly didn't look like a native animal to the American southwest.  So I'm not surprised.  But having only an untutored eye on such things wouldn't have put a bet on it either way.  Have to wonder with all the debate about invasive (mainly marine) species being such a hot button issue today if this policy choice from the 1970s would be practiced today?

I doubt we would see the Fed's doing it.

There are a lot of high fenced private ranches that have exotic species.  Mostly in Texas I believe.  For sure the politically correctness factor would preclude the Fed's doing a similar project in today's environment.

Not unlike New Zealand that has tried to control all species in order to save the land, most of New Zealand is high fenced now.

[Twolanerider]

I doubt we would see the Fed's doing it.

There are a lot of high fenced private ranches that have exotic species.  Mostly in Texas I believe.  For sure the politically correctness factor would preclude the Fed's doing a similar project in today's environment.

Not unlike New Zealand that has tried to control all species in order to save the land, most of New Zealand is high fenced now.

In large mammals of a similar genus like these is crossed disease a concern?  Or do they have to be within a closer biological family for that to be a realisitic concern? 

Have a couple of Kiwi friends who have gotten a little drunk and waxed rhapsodic about all they are doing for their native habitats with all the fencing and other policies.  Have to admit it seems a bit bizarre to me.

[miker]

Here's my Oryx (gemsbok) from New Mexico a few seasons back

Sure is one fancy looking goat!

[RJ749]

In large mammals of a similar genus like these is crossed disease a concern?  Or do they have to be within a closer biological family for that to be a realistic concern? 

Have a couple of Kiwi friends who have gotten a little drunk and waxed rhapsodic about all they are doing for their native habitats with all the fencing and other policies.  Have to admit it seems a bit bizarre to me.

There is concern among some that there "could" be an issue in NM, so they have established a boundary to keep the oryx south of the Rio Grandee.

New Zealand is its own little experiment since it is so contained.  Since the only mammal that was on the island before man was a bat, every other mammal established there now is a transplant.  Goats, deer, rabbits you name it.  They are overrun with many species.  The fences are helping reestablish native areas as long as they can control the populations of rabbit wallabies and other species that wipe out native vegetation.

[Screamin'Eagle~Sweetie]

Holy crap!!! Would you look at the rack on that thing!!!

Damn, that's better than mine!!!! LMAO   

[Twolanerider]

Damn, that's better than mine!!!! LMAO   

Beverage Spew Score This Morning


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[BalDeagle]

Some great information and pics here. I too wasn't aware that the Oryx could be found anywhere in the USA. A magnificent beast without a doubt, but I still think that my favourite Antelope is this one.

The Kudu.

[RJ749]

Some great information and pics here. I too wasn't aware that the Oryx could be found anywhere in the USA. A magnificent beast without a doubt, but I still think that my favourite Antelope is this one.

The Kudu.

There are a huge variety of antelope species in Africa.  Maybe someday I will get the chance to see them in their native environment.