Chasing Nilgai with a Bow and a Bike

I was drawn for the Laguna Atascosa refuge hunt in south Texas to hunt Nilgai antelope (a hunt indian antelope the size of an elk that now roams along the western portion of Texas gulf coast)
No motor vehicles were allowed, so mike feet and my bike were my only means of transit. Although I did not end up with a Nilgai, this was one of the most challenging and most interesting hunts I have done.

[@bangarangfishing9219]

Cool Video, I was doing some research for this hunt (Laguna Atascosa NWR) as I got drawn for Nov 30-Dec 4 2018. Any pointers you can pass along would definitely help.

[@Txfire409]

Good vid. My first time hunting there was in 2017 and I'm going back this week.

[@AdventureOne]

Good luck!

[@eddiealfaro6217]

Great video!

[@AdventureOne]

Thanks! I am about to head back down there!

[@vd295]

Can you share some info on your bike trailer set up? I got drawn for archery deer at Laguna Atascosa this year and hope to get a chance at a Nilgai as well.

[@AdventureOne]

It was kid hauler..cut off the top and bolted on wide bucket from Lowe's. Blew out both tires on mesquite thorns, and replaced them with heavier tires full of slime.

[@brucecarter5075]

@@AdventureOne Oh okay. I have a Bakcou Mule 1000 with kevlar and slime...should be okay. I carry spares just in case.

[@534810]

Tough hunting bro but good footage! Next time full moon is out, or not... sit tight... nilgai usually move 11-3pm in my experience... I have been hunting refuges for about 10 years and that’s what I have noticed. Good video once again!

[@AdventureOne]

Thanks for the tip! I think I was too used hunting whitetail. 11am is probably when i saw the most Nilgai. (Didn't figure that out until day two or three)

[@floridahuntsman7915]

Oh I’m in . I love this type of hunting . I did it in the swamps . I live in Austin now. You are a true hunter brother. I got picked for Arnasas NWR. Do you know the place? I enjoyed your video.

[@AdventureOne]

Thanks! I know of Aransas, but have never been drawn for that one. I hope you have a great hunt!

[@rudycasias]

I got drawn this year. First drawn hunt. Do you still have gossip pins or can you make a video of a map of where you hunted?

[@johnallen7230]

You're very lucky to have been drawn.

[@hilalyendork7371]

Great video! Crazy way to hunt nilgai👍🏽🤙🏽🤘🏽 very cool. You got a new subscriber.....

[@AdventureOne]

thanks!

[@moyomike14]

I missed my first chance at one nine years ago haven’t been back to the refuge. Thinking of entering to get drawn

[@bptemple1]

I drew this hunt for Nov 30 - Dec 4. It's unlimited everything, but I figure it is gonna be tough. Did you encounter many hunters as you got deeper in? Would you hunt it again?

[@AdventureOne]

Hey Brad, congrats on the draw! I really wanted that one. I saw more whitetail than Nilgai on my hunt, but was exotic only. The farther in you go, the better, which is why I really recommend the bike. For the long distances of this hunt, I would prefer rifle, but if I was drawn again (bow or rifle) I would absolutely go. Good luck on your hunt!

[@bptemple1]

Awesome, man! Thanks for the reply!

[@jacobrr24]

really enjoyed this video, man! I actually have never seen your channel, but based on this video you got a new subscriber! So it just so happens that my buddies and I were 3 of 40 hunters chosen to do an "emergency hunt" for the refuge to control the nilgai population. Any advice as to what area we should hunt and what we should take? I'm a little nervous about this one because its a rifle hunt. Kinda want to keep my distance from everyone since there is shooting and not archery. Any advice would help. Once again, awesome video!! Lookin forward to watchin the rest.

[@AdventureOne]

That is awesome. I wanted to apply for that hunt, but two trips that are 8.5 hours each way is a no go. In general, go north, and go as far in as you think you could hike something out. (I recommend the bike, but bring adequate tire repair stuff) I saw Nilgai on multiple units, but probably saw the most on unit 8. If you are rifle hunting, forget the blind and spot and stalk. I think I would have definitely got at least one with a rifle.

[@jacobrr24]

Appreciate the info! I will really try and do some solid scouting the next couple weeks to see where they are sticking to. We plan on taking bikes. Hopefully the slime will hold up enough to keep them from deflating. If you ever come back down to the arroyo be sure to stop at Chili Willies. That would have been the little restaurant on your right hand side as you got into arroyo city. Best burgers, no doubt! Hopefully I will be able to post a video of our hunt. Once again, appreciate the help!

[@BP7447]

very well made...it's not always about the kill

[@AdventureOne]

BP7447 thanks!

[@jacoblinford5989]

Great video man! I was on the same hunt last year. Did you get selected to go again this season?

[@AdventureOne]

I did not... for archery at least, still waiting to hear back about the rifle draw. Did you have any luck on this hunt? or get drawn again?

[@jacoblinford5989]

I shot a doe 2 years ago and that's it. Last season I stalked a nilgai within 45 yards on a salt flat but when I drew back, he took off. I got selected again for the first archery hunt 11/16-11/20 so hopefully I can redeem myself. I'm gonna attempt to film it but it's tough carrying everything out there with only a bike and trailer.

[@jarrodrb]

Solid vid...learned a lot. I just applied for this hunt. Hope I get drawn!!!

[@AdventureOne]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the reminder. I need to apply this year

[@dhoutdoorsman5898]

Good video, got selected this fall, any tips

[@AdventureOne]

Use OnX maps and use a bike. Spend more time glassing and less time waiting than I dod in this video. Hauling the ground blind probably wasn't worth it for me, but that depends on your camo and steathiness

[@benpena2832]

Great video! Do you think your ground blind was too out in the open? Would tucking it into the brush have helped?

[@AdventureOne]

The brush is so thick it is very hard to tuck it in. But I don't think that was ever the difference between getting a shot or not. I am going back this year and may not use the blind much

[@benpena2832]

Adventure One cool, me too, what dates are you going? I’m on the 11/20; I’m going to build a portable 5’ Tripod I think might do the trick

[@AdventureOne]

@@benpena2832 nice. I am on the first one, 11/6 through 11/11

[@benpena2832]

Adventure One sweet... if you kill something let me know; I can come help you pack it out... I live close by

[@AdventureOne]

@@benpena2832 Dude, thanks! I got drawn as a group of three this year, so hopefully we can make the packout, but always good to meet and get to know other hunters!

[@JSpradley123]

I was there for that same hunt! It was TOUGH! Saw a ton of Nilgai though

[@AdventureOne]

Awesome! HMU if you get drawn again this year. I saw a bunch, but rarely got within 200 yards of them. They are definitely more observant than deer.

[@rayminazzi2065]

I got drawn Nov 16-20, my first real bowhunt so I'm not expecting to come away with anything but experience

[@AdventureOne]

Nice! I definitely recommend bringing a bike, and be ready to take fairly long shots with fixed blade broadheads. Have fun!

[@JSpradley123]

My wife, a friend and I got drawn again for the Dec 7-11 hunt this year? did you draw again?

[@brandonblack8664]

Josh Spradley I was out there too that week. Loads of Nilgai, but super tough to get in close.

[@brucecarter5075]

Can I get the name of the place where you got the decoy? I'm thinking a few cows might work.

[@AdventureOne]

I just stole a stock photo of a nilgai and had a local print shop print it as big as they could on coroplast. Honestly, I thought it was a good idea but it ended up being a big hassle. You headed down there in a few weeks? I got drawn again

[@brucecarter5075]

@@AdventureOne Hunting Kennedy in Jan during the rut with a stickbow and wood arrows.