20 years is a charm

[GilaMonster]

After applying for every imaginable NM Oryx (gemsbok) tag for the last 19 years, i finally think I have a chance to take one. I've guided hunters on numerous hunts when I was an outfitter as well as accompaniy many family members and friends on their hunts but for the last 19 years i couldn't draw one. Same of my family members have taken two or three and nothing for this ol' boy. I finally got a low number on a depredation hunt. #54. it's not the trophy tag I hoped for, but at this point, I'm just happy to have the possibility to harvest one. I could get lucky on the size too!

 

[sandman]

Good luck, hope you get the opportunity to get a big one. I was luckier than most and got drawn for a once-in-a-lifetime tag last year and got a nice one.

Out of curiousity, how do the depradation hunts work? Do you know where you will be going?

Again, good luck!

sandman

 

[GilaMonster]

Sandman, the depredation hunts are for animals that have left the primary area. The New Mexico Dept of Game and fish has an agreement with White Samds Missile range to allow the animals to live and roam within the range boundaries. When animals leave the boundaries of White Sands, it creates problems with state and federal agencies such and BLM where the game dept has no agreement for exotics to live or roam. The Oryx also create a certain amount of damage to government equipment on neighboring Holloman AFB. In order to make an attempt to keep the numbers to a minimum in any area outside the perimiter of White Sands, depredation hunts are conducted. Normally, as soon as a herd of animals is located in a specific area, the department will contact hunters on the list in numerical order to have a rush hunt for them. Usually a few days or wek notice is given and a hunt is put together to at least thin down the problem animals. The hunt could be anywhere they turn up. If you are unable to go on the hunt when your number comes up, your name will be placed on the bottom of the list, to the best of my knowledge. The hunter has no choice on hunt dates or areas to hunt and is supposed to kill whatever animal is available when the animals are located. Most of the time, the Game Dept. is pretty good at helping in judging the trophy quality and letting you pick out the one you want when a herd is located. If you happen to find a single animal though, you are expected to take it. Of course, you can always miss it it's too small for your expectations and hope to find a better one later on, but then it's a gamble. That's basically how it works. Hey, any tag is better than none in my opinion.

 

[JFWRC]

Wow-try to miss it, gotta love that one. I've been on a couple of dep hunts. The department does want you to have a good hunt. However, I have seen them on more than one occasion pull their weapons (3 actually) out and join in on YOUR hunt. It can be a real pisser when you animal is finally killed by a dept officer toting a .338. I quit putting in for this hunt after the last guy pulled out his Glok .40 and played Starsky and Hutch on my buddies dying Oryx. I did let the dept leaders know that this was BS. If they want to go on a dep hunt, have them put in.

 

[Bob in TX]

Congrats!! I hope it works out for you! Be sure to walk over and piss on Ted Turner's ranch for me while you are there!!

Good Hunting,

Bob

 

[GilaMonster]

Originally posted by Bob in TX@Mar 21 2003, 07:20 AM
Be sure to walk over and piss on Ted Turner's ranch for me while you are there!!

It would be MY pleasure, I assure you!