I drew this hunt for the end of January. Anyone been? Looking for any insight to the place.

Hunted Laguna Atascosa 2 years ago, I wounded and lost a very good sized bull. Only the 2nd big game animal I've ever lost in 30 years of hunting, and I'm still heart broken over it. But I know that's sort of common with Nilgai. Took a 402 yard shot with a 7mm mag using a 160gr Trophy Bonded Tip. Dropped in his tracks, kicked around for a few seconds, then got up and hit the brush. Fired a 2nd shot just before he hit the brush, but was likely a miss. Was attempting a 2nd shot while he was down but wasn't able to. Searched all day, along with some help, but was never found. That brush is very thick.

Might've been too light of a gun at that range, maybe my shot wasn't the best, maybe both. Will have a 300 Weatherby this time, shooting either 180gr Accubonds or Barnes TTSX.

Have killed 5 nilgai bulls and countless cows, the only advice I have is to break their front shoulders. If you break em down they can't run off very far on their back legs only. Have killed them with .30-06, .300 WSM and 7 PRC and it's been the same result every time, they don't go anywhere.

Take the Weatherby and put the Barnes through his front shoulder. It won't make it far.

I hunted Teniente in February and got a bull. There is a thread posted here about the hunt.

ETA link: https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/3529587

Place I hunted, Kennedy ranch, recommended 338 win mag or 338 Lapua. They made Nilgai out to be "bulletproof".

I shot mine with a frontal shot at just over 100 yards. It went no more than 10 yards although I used 375H&H with 300 grain bullet.

That said, I think you will be fine with a heavy 30 cal and 180 grain as long as your placement is good. I'd be particularly to the ttsx.

Good luck!

And to think that so many meet their demise with an arrow.

BCOBQ98 said:

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Place I hunted, Kennedy ranch, recommended 338 win mag or 338 Lapua. They made Nilgai out to be "bulletproof".

I shot mine with a frontal shot at just over 100 yards. It went no more than 10 yards although I used 375H&H with 300 grain bullet.

That said, I think you will be fine with a heavy 30 cal and 180 grain as long as your placement is good. I'd be particularly to the ttsx.

Good luck!

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When I hunted the Kennedy, which is where I shot all my nilgai, the division we were on just required a .30 cal rifle with at least 180 grain projectile. This was 2015-2021 on the old Anadarko Petroleum lease. They leased the Santa Cruz division of the King Ranch and then 18,000 acres of the Kennedy.