Gemsbok New Mexico archery
Contributors to this thread:International
From: Saphead
07-Apr-23
Has anyone bowhunted them in New Mex.? If so What was the hunt like?
From: Oryx35
07-Apr-23
A handful have. On this site, I imagine Jim Willems (JSW) has more direct experience than anyone. I tried during one of my on-range hunts the first year they legalized archery for the hunt. 2004 maybe? I came close, but never did put an arrow in the air. The third day of the hunt they required rifles to be used. My rifle shot was at 90 yards. Not a bow shot I would take, but it's possible I could have gotten closer. I wasn't inclined to try with a rifle in my hands. With on range hunts, I think archery would be luck more than anything, especially since I've heard the population is down. Off range hunts have to be better odds, but still challenging.
From: HDE
08-Apr-23
Agree, off range is where you'd want to try. Some have done it, and not necessarily on private land only.
For the typical working guy with limited days (and funds) on your hands, don't waste your time.
From: JSW
08-Apr-23
Your best bet, by far, is to hunt private land. The on-range hunt is just too short to be a realistic bow hunt. Especially if you haven't been there a number of times and don't know the area. If you draw the 30 day off range hunt, that does give you time to try to bow hunt but they are hard to find and even harder to get close to. It can be done, but I don't know anyone who has been successful recently.
I've been involved with an outfitter doing private land bow hunts for several years. Success with bow runs from 0-66%. Shot opportunity is generally over 50%. Still a tough bow hunt but about as good as you can expect on this animal. Feel free to PM me if you want more info on this hunt.
From: MQQSE
08-Apr-23
My son took one off range. We couldn’t believe how wary they were. Absolutely zero curiosity. Some would take off at sight of us within 2000 yards.
From: Oryx35
08-Apr-23
That's awesome Adam!
From: Medicinemann
08-Apr-23
Is there any difference between an Oryx and a Gemsbok....or is it just two different names for the same animal, located on two different continents?
From: Saphead
08-Apr-23
Same animal I was told. Thank you all for the replies. Gives me a good picture of what it's like. Congrats! to the young guy! Might be something I may want to try. I know they are tough animals. I shot one in Namibia years ago. Cool animal
From: HDE
08-Apr-23
^^^ one is half of the taxonomic name (Oryx Gazella), the other is Danish (Dutch) for "chamois buck".
From: Corax_latrans
08-Apr-23
“ Shot opportunity is generally over 50%. ”
Do I dare inquire as to what constitutes an “opportunity”?
From: JSW
08-Apr-23
Most shots are over 40 yards and under 60. I shot mine at 38 yards. There are water hole opportunities at closer ranges. I've been within 30 yards of them a number of times but that 38 yard shot was my closest. I've missed a few but never hit one and lost it.
From: JSW
08-Apr-23
From: StickFlicker
08-Apr-23
Just like there are several different members of the deer family, there are several members of the Oryx family, Gemsbok being one of them. In New Mexico, they are called Oryx but they are talking about the Gemsbok (the name they are called in Africa). In Texas, they have a few different members of the Oryx family, such as Gemsbok and Scimitar Horned Oryx. There's also an Arabian Oryx, which I believe is endangered or threatened that occurs in some zoos in the U.S. It looks like a very light washed-out colored Gemsbok.
From: Saphead
09-Apr-23
I wonder what is tougher taking one of these or a Nilgai?
From: HDE
09-Apr-23
Supposed to be Nilgai. But then most everyone says Oryx is the toughest NA animal and we've never had any more difficult time killing them than any other animal.
From: No Mercy
10-Apr-23
I watched a recent episode of Raised Hunting where David takes an Oryx with his bow in New Mexico, but don't know the details of his hunt. It was very challenging.
From: DonVathome
10-Apr-23
I did for one of my two days. It was a decade ago or more when there were more/bigger Oryx. I came close to getting a shot with my bow.
From: Buckdeer
10-Apr-23
I was thinking someone here was setting up a private land hunt,the big ranch right outside one of the ranges offers hunts. They used to be really fun on the range
From: Treeline
10-Apr-23
Jim probably has the best deal going for a bowhunt oryx hunt in NM. At least have a chance at a water hole for them.
From: Huntcell
12-Apr-23
Huntcell 's Link
Here link to bowsite forum Oryx archery
From: Saphead
12-Apr-23
Thanks!
