Laguna Atascosa NWR Drawn Archery Hunt (Nilgai, Deer, Hog)

Pliny, Kyle, and Daniel were drawn for the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge huge. They drove down to deep south Texas (just across from South Padre Island) to hunt Nilgai, whitetail deer, and feral hogs.
This hunt is tough. It is archery only. Motorized vehicles are not allowed. Hunter's orange is required when moving about (but not when hunting in a fixed position), and there are well over one hundred other hunters competing for the same animals.
I didn't have the camera's rolling the whole time, but I captured the essence of this hunt. If you want to hear the full stories of this hunt, we recorded a podcast episode for each day of the hunt. Check out the Adventure One Podcast, episodes 52 through 55.
Please subscribe, check out the podcast, and follow Adventure One on Instagram @the.adventure.one

[@pecosray]

It was great coming along for the hunt.... TY

[@MultiHunter247]

Another great video!! I’ve never seen a Nilgai in person in the wild.

[@WillsGoneWalkabout]

Man that place is a grind. I drew an archery hunt there this year and saw two Nilgai over the five days. Lucky for me one was within bow range and the arrow flew true. Keep the content rolling mate.

[@lucky333ish]

Thanks for taking us along on your trip. I shot a nilgai cow at Laguna a couple years ago with a rifle. I haven’t had any luck shooting one with a bow yet. Good job getting that hog.

[@AdventureOne]

Thanks for the comment, and congrats on your Nilgai! I really hope I get drawn for rifle next year. I have had too many close calls with the bow!

[@juscatinround]

Gotta take what you can get down there. Good story

[@mattbruns556]

I just got drawn for this hunt in January, Very excited!

[@AdventureOne]

Awesome! Good luck!

[@dougburnett07]

I got drawn for January as well this will be my first time down there. I can't wait.

[@FranciscoJavierOutdoors]

Awesome video man, was this on the new areas/units they just recently added? I applied last year but no luck, the year before I drew a bow hunt and was my first bowhunt ever out there. Didn't harvest anything and only saw a doe on the last day, but was a great experience overall. Hope to draw again sometime soon

[@wesclaymore]

Outstanding! I’m headed there in a few weeks for the same hunt.

[@AdventureOne]

Good luck!

[@gregb4288]

Cool video. I've done the archery hunt 4 times. 2016- killed 4pt and a 9pt that I rattled in(shoulder mounted) 2017- Killed a big nilgai cow and huge sow. Missed a cow and mega bull(both due to limb deflection) 2018-no draw. 2019- arrowed an old 10pt at 11yds(died on film but forgot to hit record before shot) also arrowed a 200lb boar(on film) 2020- Killed a mature Bull Nilgai, the only mature one taken off the archery hunts that year. Did not have go pro on unfortunately. Passed plenty of deer on many hunts with a focus on mature nilgai & bucks. LA is one of favorite hunting destinations.

[@adamhernandez4292]

Hey man I’ll be out there in January for the archery hunt. This is my first year hunting with bow So I can really use any kind of advice if you would like to share any

[@mattbruns556]

@@adamhernandez4292 Any luck on that January hunt? I just got pulled for it this season.

[@adamhernandez4292]

@@mattbruns556 sorry man, wasn’t able to go. I had a family emergency. Best of luck out there man

[@dougburnett07]

@@mattbruns556 I got drawn for this January as well my first time down there. Trying to learn what to expect. Good luck to you!

[@Jimenez98711]

Congrats man, I got selected for exotic next weekend I hope I got something

[@AdventureOne]

Rifle? Good luck!

[@Jimenez98711]

@@AdventureOne i wish but not, its gonna be with bow

[@AdventureOne]

@@Jimenez98711 Gotcha. My advice is to give 100% the first day. It is your best chance and odds go down each day after that. And of course, always play the wind.

[@gregb4288]

@@AdventureOnemost of my kills are on day 4 and 5

[@AdventureOne]

@@gregb4288 nice. I just saw that every day that animals were more and more pressured. I saw more Nilgai on day 1 than any other day.

[@adamhernandez4292]

Awesome video! I just got my tag to hunt there in January with bow. Where did y’all stay? And is there reception there for phones? I have AT&T and worried I won’t have service cuz I will be by myself

[@AdventureOne]

We camped at the Adolf Thomas County park. Request an RV site even if you don't have an RV, the tent sites are just a field by the bathroom. Cell signal was okay... Better than I expected, but not consistent throughout

[@ryneberthelot463]

@@AdventureOne do you think the freeze put a hurting on the Nilgai population?

[@AdventureOne]

@@ryneberthelot463 No idea! I don't think they got it as bad on the coast as NTX

[@adamhernandez4292]

@@ryneberthelot463 I talked to the park ranger down there and they said there was a lot of animals so I don’t think so

[@inocencioquinones30]

@@ryneberthelot463 lol no they survive anything

[@huntingfishing5237]

Is it public land , and do you have to go through tpwd to go and last do you have to enter by boat

[@AdventureOne]

It is public land, Federal (US fish and Wildlife Service) but the lottery is through the Texas draw system. No access by boat or off road vehicles. Walk or bike in only.

[@huntingfishing5237]

@@AdventureOne so say I wanted to go in 3 weeks or something. I wouldn’t be able to . Right

[@AdventureOne]

@@huntingfishing5237 not to help hunt or fish. You could hike around and take photos

[@abrahambaeza5063]

Did you apply again this year. I won the hunt for this November

[@adamhernandez4292]

Gotta let me know you do man I’ll be out there in January. Give me any tips if you can

[@adamhernandez4292]

Best of luck to you!

[@howardsteussy7622]

I would not crawl through that, you may come face to face with a rattler