Kalahari Gemsbok (Oryx gazella), commonly referred to as oryx, were released into New Mexico in the early 1970s to provide a big game hunting opportunity in an area of the state (the wide open Chihuahuan Desert) where big game was relatively scarce, primarily due to the lack of water and suitable habitat. Oryx, which were determined to be quite suitable for the region in studies conducted by the NM Game Commission, were originally introduced on the sprawling White Sands Missile Range (WSMR, a US Army base) in southern New Mexico. Game managers expected a huntable population by the year 2000. They seriously underestimated the reproductive capacity of these animals! With excellent habitat and virtually no predators aside from man, these animals thrive in their new environs. They adapted rapidly, and have expanded their range, much to the chagrin of some property owners and our now very xenophobic Department of Game and Fish. Populations have far exceeded the expectations of the original game managers in charge of their release, and now provide a unique hunt for over 1,000 people per year. New Mexico is likely the only place in the US where one can hunt truly free ranging oryx.
With very limited “natural” predation, oryx populations must be managed by hunting. New Mexico oryx hunts are divided into several categories, and all licenses are awarded through an allegedly random drawing. Unlike most other big game species in the state, there is no resident quota on oryx licenses, and non-residents typically draw more than half the available licenses. Within the Missile Range boundaries, specific areas are set aside for once-in-a-lifetime trophy hunts. These are areas that reliably produce trophy animals, year after year. There are also hunts on the Range for broken-horned oryx (BHO), those animals with at least one horn broken off at least 25% and deemed less trophy-worthy. Trophy and BHO hunts are held throughout the year and are only three days in duration. In the fringe areas of the Range, people with WSMR hunt badges (or one escorted by a badge holder) can apply for a license to hunt oryx. These licenses are valid for a given month, during which the hunter may hunt on non-working days in specific areas at WSMR. As I mentioned, oryx populations have expanded significantly in the last several decades, and there are now numerous animals outside of WSMR. Hunts for these animals are conducted in two ways. The first is a population reduction hunt, in which hunters who drew a “spot on the call list” in the random draw are called by the Game and Fish to hunt problem animals at the request of various agencies (USDA, Army, etc.). These hunts are generally arranged on short notice, and if the hunter is unable to participate, he/she loses the opportunity and the next hunter on the list is called. The final major category of oryx hunt in New Mexico is the off-range hunt. Hunters apply for a license to hunt oryx on lands not generally considered to be access-restricted, such as BLM, state trust land, Forest Service, and private land with permission. All other federal govt. agency lands (Army, Air Force, NASA, USDA, etc.) are off limits. Off-range licenses are valid for a full month. Read more about oryx hunting opportunities
on the NM Game and Fish page.
Senior Member
Pretty neat - Oryx
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