Home > Exotic Hunts in Texas
Cotton Mesa Offers a Variety of Exotic Hunts in Texas
Hunting Exotics is one of the most popular hunting adventures at Cotton Mesa. We provide affordable exotic hunting with the best accommodations to all guests. Prices vary depending on the exotic game you choose to hunt.
Exotic Hunting Seasons
Unlike whitetail season, which has a regulated season, Exotics can be hunted year round.
AOUDAD SHEEP HUNTS IN TEXAS
Texas is home to more Aoudad hunts, or what some people refer to as Barbary sheep, than their native North Africa. Aoudad are exceptionally sporty animal’s, combining wary nature with tough physical hardiness, liked to a Cape buffalo. This is a great, challenging and rewarding Texas hunting experience. Technically they are not considered a pure sheep and they actually have features of both a sheep and goat. Both males and females grown horns, but the males grow considerably larger horns. Large trophy males in Texas can easily exceed 30 inches. Their long beard on their chest makes a great half life-size or full mount. At Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail, we have some exceptional Trophy Aoudad Rams that often exceed 30″. Trophy Aoudad are one of the most elusive animals to hunt at Cotton Mesa. We hunt them from stands and 4-wheel vehicles.
ADDAX HUNTS IN TEXAS
The Addax, also known as the Screw Horn Antelope, is a desert antelope that lives in several isolated regions in the Sahara desert. This species of the antelope family is closely related to the oryx. Although extremely rare in its native habitat, it is quite common in captivity and is regularly bred on ranches where they are hunted as trophies. The coloring of their coat varies with the season. In the winter it is grayish brown with white hind quarters and legs. In the summer, the coat turns almost completely white or sandy blonde. Their head is marked with brown or black patches that form an X over their nose. They have a scraggly beard and prominent red nostrils. Horns, found on both males and females, have two to three twists and can reach 80 centimeters in females and 120 centimeters in males. Cotton Mesa has a limited number of Trophy Bull Addax so please call Cotton Mesa for availability.
AXIS DEER HUNTS IN TEXAS
The Axis deer is a moderately large spotted deer with three tines on each antler. Axis deer are native to India, where they are known as “Chital”, and are one of the favorite preys for the Tiger. Axis deer hunts were introduced to Texas in the 1930’s and are now the most numerous and widespread introduced deer in Texas. Axis deer are about 40 inches at the shoulder and adult males can weight up to 250 pounds. They have reddish-brown coats with white spots along their sides. Trophy males can easily exceed 30 inches. The Axis Buck is a very elusive animal which never stands around for very long. Fast shots in heavy brush are the norm on a Cotton Mesa Trophy Axis Buck Hunt. They shed their antlers at different times of the year, making them a great summer time hunt. Hunting Trophy Axis Deer at Cotton Mesa is a very tough but rewarding hunt.
AMERICAN BISON HUNTS IN TEXAS
The American Bison, also commonly known as the American Buffalo or simply Buffalo is one of the most impressive trophies in a trophy room. Bison have a shaggy, dark brown coat and can weigh over 2000 pounds. The head and fore-quarters are massive and both sexes have curved horns used for fighting. The meat is very lean and low in cholesterol and there is plenty of it. Trophy Bison Bulls often exceed the scales at over 2,000 pounds. The sheer size of the animal is amazing.The meat is second to none.At Cotton Mesa, a Trophy Bison Hunt is always an adventure.
BLACKBUCK ANTELOPE HUNTS IN TEXAS
Blackbuck is a species of antelope found mainly in India, but also in parts of Pakistan and Nepal. The horns of the Blackbuck are ringed and spiraled with 3 to 4 turns and can be as long as 24 inches. The adult males can grow as tall as 32 inches and can weigh as much as 100 pounds. The mature male’s upper body is black and his belly and eyes are ringed with white. The law in India protects the Blackbuck, making Texas one of the few places to hunt the elusive Blackbuck. The Trophy Blackbuck at Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail are as wild as anything on the ranch. They love green country and try to keep as much of it as they can between you and them. Long Shots are the normal on Trophy Blackbuck at Cotton Mesa.
BLUE WILDEBEEST HUNTS IN TEXAS
Blue Wildebeest is a large antelope and one of the two species of wildebeest. The bulls weigh up to 650 pounds and the females up to 550 pounds. The Blue Wildebeest is a herbivore and primarily feeds on short grasses. The are native to most of Southern Africa. Cotton Mesa has a select few of Bull Wildebeest that we harvest every year so please check availability. This is really a rare and unique trophy.
CATALINA GOAT HUNTS IN TEXAS
Catlina Goats are feral goats that have gone wild. They thrive in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Hawaii. They are sometimes used for conservation grazing, to control the spread of undesirable scrub or weeds. The make a great trophy as their horns can have a spread of up to 36″ or more. At Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail, we have many exceptional Trophy Catlina Goats which can be hunted year round.
CORSICAN SHEEP HUNTS IN TEXAS
The Corsican Family of Sheep are actually the result of initial crosses decades ago between the shedding, wild Mouflon Sheep with a wide range of more well known “wool” breeds of sheep. Corsican Sheep have a variety of coloring patterns as a result of the various domestic sheep used in crosses with the Mouflon but one of the most familiar color pattern is the pattern resembling the Barbados Blackbelly. Trophy Corsican Sheep at Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail are always in season and make a great summer hunt.
ELAND HUNTS IN TEXAS
Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail is home to some really big Trophy Eland Bulls. We have the Common Eland which is native to most of all southern Africa. Their diet is primarily grasses and leaves and large bulls can weigh up to 1 ton. The meat is considered some of the finest in Africa. Trophy Elandbulls are solitary and very exclusive at Cotton Mesa.
ELK HUNTS IN TEXAS
The Elk or Wapiti is one of the largest species of deer in the world and one of the largest land mammals in the world. Elk range in forest and forest edge habitat, feeding on grasses and leaves. Cotton Mesa is home to a large breeding herd of North American Elk. We have a large selection of Trophy Bulls Elk, Management Bull and Cow Elk. The meat is very tasty, lean, and a healthy choice of meat!
FALLOW DEER HUNTS IN TEXAS
These deer come in three color phases, white, brown and spotted. The trophy bucks have broad and shovel-shaped antlers with many points on top and can weight over 200 pounds. Trophy Fallow bucks retain their antlers sometimes into March, therefore may be hunted a little later in the year. The venison on these deer is very lean and healthy. Cotton Mesa has a large breeding herd of Fallow Deer. We have Trophy Bucks of all colors, Brown, Whitetail and Spotted.
FOUR-HORNED SHEEP HUNTS IN TEXAS
Both males and females are horned, sporting two, four and occasionally six horns. Most striking to many people are four-horned rams with two vertical center horns as much as two feet long, and two side horns curling down along the side of the head.
GEMSBOK HUNTS IN TEXAS
The Gemsbok is a large antelope in the Oryx family. It is native to the arid regions of Southern Africa, such as the Kalahari Desert. Trophy Gemsbok bulls at Cotton Mesa have spectacular color markings and are great table fare. Trophy Gemsbok bulls can have horns up to 36″ long and weigh as much as 650 pounds. Cotton Mesa has a large breeding herd and does harvest a select few Trophy Gemsbok bulls every season.
HAWAIIAN BLACK SHEEP HUNTS IN TEXAS
The Hawaiian Black Sheep is a much sought after color phase of the Corsican Sheep. Cotton Mesa has a large selection of Trophy Hawaiian Black Sheep and they can be hunted year round.
KUDU HUNTS IN TEXAS
The Greater Kudu is a woodland antelope found throughout Eastern and Southern Africa. Greater Kudus have a narrow body with long legs and their coats can range from brown/bluish-grey to reddish brown. They have between 4-12 vertical white stripes along their torso. Trophy Bull Kudus have horns that measure over 50 inches and they weigh about 600 pounds. Cotton Mesa has a very rare breeding herd in the state of Texas. Trophy Kudu are one of the most sought after trophies in Africa. Often times called “The Gray Ghost.” Cotton Mesa does harvest a few Trophy Kudu bulls each year.
MOUFLON SHEEP HUNTS IN TEXAS
Mouflon Sheep have red-brown, short haired coats with dark back-stripes and light-colored saddle patches. Today Mouflon range wild in the Caucasus Mountains in Iraq. Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail is home to some great Trophy Mouflon and as all sheep may be hunted year round.
NILGAI ANTELOPE HUNTS IN TEXAS
Nilgai antelope are the second largest member of the antelope family, with the older bulls often being referred to as “blue bulls”, as the dominant males typically become very dark, taking on a blackish and blueish hue. These are large, sturdy animals with mature bulls weighing upwards of 600-700 pounds on the hoof. Trophy size nilgai antelope bulls will normally sport vertically oriented horns measuring 8.5” – 10” in length. Nilgai antelope can present a challenging and fun hunting experience, as they very skittish, and their keen eyesight is atop an elongated neck, making it difficult to approach them without being spotted.
RED STAG HUNTS IN TEXAS
Red Stag are one of the largest deer species. The Trophy Red Stag inhabits most of Europe. They are similar to the larger bull Elk which it can also cross breed with. Trophy Red Stag bulls at Cotton Mesa can weigh as much as 550 pounds. The meat is very lean and heart healthy.
SCIMITAR ORYX HUNTS IN TEXAS
The Scimitar Oryx, or Scimitar-Horned Oryx, is a species of Oryx which formerly inhabited the whole of NorthAfrica. Its coat is white with a red-brown chest and black markings on the forehead and down the length of the nose. The horns are long, thin and parallel and curve backwards (like a scimitar) and can reach a meter to a meter and a quarter on both sexes, male and female. Scimitar Oryx can survive without water for many weeks, because their kidneys prevent loss of water from urination and they can modify their body temperature to avoid perspiration.
TEXAS DALL SHEEP HUNTS IN TEXAS
The Texas Dall Sheep is a much sought after color phase of the Corsican Sheep. Cotton Mesa has a large selection of Trophy Texas Dall Sheep and they can be hunted year round.
WATERBUCK HUNTING IN TEXAS
Their coats are reddish brown in color and become progressively darker with age; they have a white ‘bib’ under theirthroats and a white ring on their rumps surrounding their tails. The waterproofing secretions of the waterbucks’ sweat glands produce an unpleasantodor in its meat, unless the animal is skinned carefully. The long spiral structured horns, found only in males, sweep back and up. Waterbuck are found in scrub and savanna areas near water where they eat grass. Despite its name, the Waterbuck does not spend much time in the water, unless escaping predators. Waterbuck are diurnal. Females gather in herds of between two and six hundred individuals. Males keep territories of around three hundred acres during their prime. Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail has a natural breeding herd of Waterbuck and will harvest a couple of Trophy Bull Waterbuck each year.
WATUSI HUNTS IN TEXAS
The Watusi is also know as Ankole Longhorn, which is a wild oxen originally native to Africa. Its large, distinctive horns, that can reach up to 8 feet from tip to tip, are used for defense. At Cotton Mesa Trophy Whitetail, we have a breeding herd of Watusi and they are sought after for their meat as well as Trophy value. A large Trophy Watusi can weigh up to 1,600 pounds and has very lean meat.
ZEBRA HUNTS IN TEXAS
Cotton Mesa Ranch has an amazing Texas Zebra hunt experience planned for you for a memory that lasts a lifetime. Domesticating Zebras is one of the toughest tasks for humans because of their wild and untamed nature therefore Zebra hunting is a big challenge. They are very social animals that live in large herds. They are native to most of Sub-Sahara Africa. Cotton Mesa does have a breeding herd of Zebras and does harvest a few select stallions each yea
FAQs
Where is the best whitetail deer hunting in Texas? ›
Texas Hill Country Whitetail
The Cross Oaks Ranch, is located just outside of Brady Texas. More commonly know as the Texas Hill Country amongst whitetail hunters. This is known as one of the all around best areas to hunt for whitetails in Texas.
| up to 149" | $4,500 |
|---|---|
| 150 to 160" | $5,500 |
| 160 to 170" | $6,500 |
| 170 to 180" | $7,500 |
| 180 to 190" | $8,500 |
Shonto Ranch is the perfect location for Axis deer hunting in the state of Texas, we have some 150 Axis deer in our herd and have some of the best genetics in the country, and holding some of the Top 10 Safari Club International World Records for Trophy Axis Deer there is no question Shonto Ranch is the best/perfect ...
Where are the biggest whitetail bucks in Texas? ›What part of Texas has the Biggest Bucks? The area that grows the largest mature bucks in Texas is the South Texas Plains. This is shown from Texas Parks and Wildlife harvest data across 15 years. The average score of a mature buck in South Texas is 134 inches.
What city in Texas has the most deer? ›DMU 6 holds the highest deer density anywhere in the state of Texas.
What is the cheapest state to hunt deer? ›- West Virgina. I may be partial to this state because this is where I killed my very first buck, when I was 14 years old. ...
- Pennsylvania. As a lifelong Pennsylvanian, I can attest to the quality of bucks living in this state. ...
- Wisconsin. ...
- Ohio. ...
- Missouri. ...
- Michigan. ...
- New York.
Statewide Bag Limits
Bag limits are established by county. No person may exceed the annual bag limit of five white-tailed deer, no more than three of which may be bucks. The annual bag limit does not apply on MLDP properties. Find your county to view specific limits.
Most of Texas counties require a minimum of 10 acres to legally hunt or discharge a firearm. There is no statewide mandate but the state has given counties and local jurisdictions the right to establish and enforce 10 acre minimums in the interest of public safety.
What are the best exotic animals to hunt in Texas? ›Some of these Texas exotics include blackbuck antelope, axis deer, fallow deer, sika deer, mouflon sheep, Corsican sheep, free-range aoudad sheep, free-range elk, free-range addax, lechwe, scimitar-horned oryx, Beisa oryx, white-bearded gnu, impala, kudu, nyala, springbok, zebra, and eland.
What animals can you shoot without a license in Texas? ›A hunting license is required for any person (of any age) to hunt any animal in Texas, except under the following circumstances: Coyotes if they are attacking, are about to attack, or have recently attacked livestock or domestic animals.
What is the rarest deer in Texas? ›
The desert mule deer is a common sight in the Trans-Pecos region of west Texas, but when wildlife biologists conducted surveys recently, they came across an extremely uncommon sight. In fact, it was what they called “the rarest of rare” animals.
What caliber is best for deer hunting in Texas? ›Very popular calibers for deer hunting in Texas are the . 270 and the . 30-06. Lifting the bolt handle and pulling straight back opens the action.
What is the best tasting deer in Texas? ›Axis venison is considered by many to be the finest venison in the world. A native of India, the Axis deer was introduced to ranches in the Texas Hill Country in the 1930's. There are now over 150,000 Axis deer in Texas.
What is the deer capital of Texas? ›You'll find an abundance of outdoor recreation in Llano. It's known as the “Deer Capital of Texas,” and rightfully so.
What is the biggest deer ranch in Texas? ›The Big Rack Ranch is located less than an hour east of Dallas, Texas. The ranch encompasses approximately 2,000 acres and is home to some of the largest typical whitetails in the nation.
What is the whitetail capital of Texas? ›Set in the backdrop of the beautiful Texas Hill Country, Stillwaters Ranch is just a few miles south of Llano, Texas, known as the Deer Capital of Texas.
What is the biggest deer shot in Texas? ›The current TBGA state record nontypical mule deer record is a Reeves County buck that scored 283. It was shot in 2003 by Damon Compton. The top scoring Texas nontypical mule deer in B&C's all-time registry is Rick Meritt's 2643/8 whopper from Gaines County in 2014.
What is the best deer county in Texas? ›Southern Texas
The Brush County of South Texas is known for its plethora of trophy whitetail bucks. Most hunting is done on high fence ranches that you pay a fee to hunt on (This is typical for most of Texas as a whole).
The Hill Country, and probably Llano County, is rightfully the deer hunting hotbed of Texas. The region's claim to the title is solid as it accounts for almost 50 percent of the state's 500,000-plus white-tailed deer harvest.
What state kills the most whitetail deer? ›One of the regions with the highest success rates in the country is the Midwest. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin record some of the highest antlered buck harvest rates in the country, with Pennsylvania topping the charts in 2021 with estimates of 145,320 harvested bucks.
What state has the most licensed deer hunters? ›
Texas lead the nation in number of deer hunters in 2016-2017 with nearly 740,000 participants. The Lone Star State has also seen a 28% increase in deer hunters from 2006 to 2016, according to QDMA. Texas hunters also benefit from some 1 million acres of publicly accessible land.
What state has the highest deer? ›Texas has the highest deer population with 5.5 million!
What is the 13 inch rule for whitetail deer in Texas? ›Bag limit 2 bucks: No more than 1 buck may have an inside spread of 13 inches or greater. [In other words, one may harvest 1 buck with at least 1 unbranched antler and 1 buck with an inside spread of 13 inches or greater. Or, one may chose to harvest 2 bucks with at least 1 unbranched antler.
What is the 13 inch rule in Texas? ›It is unlawful to take more than one buck with an inside spread of 13 inches or greater or having two branched antlers (i.e. a person who takes a buck in violation of the antler restriction regulation is prohibited from subsequently harvesting any buck deer with branched antlers on both main beams in that county during ...
Can you bait deer in Texas? ›Know how to bait.
If set up months before the hunting season starts, the deer will get used to the feeder and come to expect their daily meal. Note: Many states have partial or total bans on feeding or baiting deer. In Texas, however, it's legal to feed deer year-round.
You can hunt on the private land that you own or get permission from the landowner to hunt as a guest or pay the landowner to hunt on that land. Many hunters find leases and book hunts a year or more in advance. Landowners can grant or deny permission to hunt on their land.
Can I hunt on 5 acres in Texas? ›Most Texas counties require at least 10 acres to legally hunt or discharge a gun. There is no national mandate, but the state has given counties and local jurisdictions the right to set and enforce minimum amounts of 10 acres in the interest of public safety.
Is 10 acres too small to hunt? ›This is a popular topic among hunting land buyers. Two frequently asked questions are, “How many acres do you need to hunt deer?” and “What is the minimum land needed to hunt?” For smaller or slower animals, such as turkeys and rabbits, it's best to have at least five acres. For deer, ten acres or more is ideal.
Can you hunt exotics at night in Texas? ›But do not fret there are no specific shooting hours for exotic game in Texas. Some Axis deer hunting outfitters and ranches hunt after hours and into the dark, but here at Rock Creek Ranch we do not as we try to keep your Axis hunt as traditional as we can so you will have one of the best experiences possible.
What are the most profitable exotic animals? ›For the moment, the biggest dollar demand is for such exotics as ostriches and South American humpless camels such as llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicunas.
What deer are exotic in Texas? ›
Axis deer, Fallow deer, Sika deer, Red Stag, Aoudad Sheep, Impala, and Blackbuck Antelope are just a sample of the variety of Exotic species at Greystone Castle. The Texas terrain provides the perfect habitat for all our exotic species.
What animal can you hunt all year round in Texas? ›Exotic species such as Aoudad sheep, feral hogs, Russian boars, Fallow deer, Axis deer and even Sika deer can be hunted year round since they are non-native animals.
How much is an exotic hunting license in Texas? ›Non-resident General Hunting (Type 105): $315 - For those coming from out of state and will be hunting Exotic Game as well as Native animal including Deer and Turkey. Resident Hunting (Type 101): $25 - For Texas Residents; valid to hunt any legal bird or animal including Native and Exotic Deer.
What animal has the most successful hunts? ›Dragonflies have the highest observed hunting success of any animal, with success rates as high as 97%. They are also opportunistic and pursue a variety of prey.
Is it illegal to pick up deer antlers in Texas? ›Additionally, any buck with at least one unbranched antler (e.g., spike) is NOT legal to harvest, unless the outside spread of the main beams is 20 inches or more in width.
What birds can you shoot in Texas without a license? ›A permit is not required to control grackles; cowbirds; yellow-headed, red-winged, rusty or Brewer's blackbirds; crows or magpies when these birds are considered a nuisance or causing a public health hazard. No birds may be controlled by any means considered illegal by local city or county ordinance.
Can you carry a pistol while bow hunting in Texas? ›Can I carry a handgun while bow hunting? No, Concealed weapons, in accordance with Concealed Handgun laws of Texas, are used for personal protection, not hunting. If you are archery hunting – you are still hunting.
What color deer is the rarest? ›In terms of coloration, which whitetails are the rarest of all? Most hunters would claim that distinction belongs to albinos, which lack any pigment in their skin or hair. But as unusual as it is to see a whitetail that's far too light in color, it's even less common to see one that's far too dark.
What is the most common deer in Texas? ›The Texas white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus texana, occurs almost statewide. The white-tailed deer is now the most numerous big game animal in Texas and in the United States. Texas has more white-tailed deer than any other state. Population estimates in recent year range from three to four million.
What is the fast deer in Texas? ›An pronghorn's primary means of defense against predators are their vision and speed.
What caliber kills the most deer? ›
In our opinion, the best rifle calibers for deer hunting are the . 270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, . 30-06 Springfield, . 308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .
Can you hunt deer with a 9mm in Texas? ›Firearms. Game animals and non-migratory game birds may be hunted with any legal firearm, except: Rimfire Ammunition (of any caliber) may NOT be used to hunt white-tailed deer, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, or pronghorn. Fully Automatic Firearms.
Can I deer hunt with an AR 15 in Texas? ›Yes, you can hunt deer with an AR-15 in Texas. There are no state laws that prohibit the use of an AR-15 for hunting deer.
What is the most attractive deer feed? ›By far the most popular and widely used bait for attracting whitetails is corn. Not only is deer corn highly consumed and well received by whitetails in almost every habitat across the continent, but it's also one of the cheapest options for hunters.
What is the most tender meat on deer? ›The tenderloin, striploin, knuckle and rump are the most tender cuts. Medium-tender cuts are the eight rib rack, top round and bottom round. The flank steak and osso buco are the least tender.
What is the best ranch in Texas for hunting? ›King Ranch, comprising over 825,000 acres in South Texas, is the premier destination for hunting in the United States. Furthermore, King Ranch is the birthplace of Texas game conservation and the proof is evident in the quantity and quality of wildlife found within its boundaries.
What is the deer hunting capital of Texas? ›Llano County, Texas, produces the best whitetail harvests in the country and is the best place to get you a deer. Located in the Texas hill country on the Llano River, Llano Texas deer hunting has earned it the name 'Deer capital of Texas.
What time of day is best to hunt deer in Texas? ›Before the rut, deer are typically nocturnal. During that time, the morning until about 10 a.m. and in the evening, after 4 p.m. are the best times to hunt because deer are usually sleeping during the day.
What part of Texas has the most axis deer? ›The highest populations of Axis Deer in Texas are now centered around the Edwards Plateau.
Can you bait whitetail deer in Texas? ›No person may use live decoys when hunting migratory game birds. bait for game animals, nongame animals, and upland game birds, except for Eastern turkey and migratory game birds. (Baiting is unlawful on most public property. Please check specific regulations for that public property.)
What is the largest buck in Texas? ›
The highest-scoring typical whitetail deer on record in the state of Texas was, for many years, the McCulloch deer. This deer hunted in 1963, held the record for typical deer for nearly 60 years. Alberto Bailleres finally broke the record in 2021 with a buck scoring over 197 inches of antler growth.
Why are bucks so big in Texas? ›One of the reasons Texas grows big antlered deer is because in some sections of Texas, we have numbers of oak trees dropping acorns every year. Also, most landowners in Texas feed the deer. In south Texas, we find really big-bodied deer as well big-antlered deer.