What exotics can I hunt in Texas?

The Lone Star State offers an abundance of hunting opportunities for both novice and seasoned hunters. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at some of the most sought-after exotic species that can be hunted in Texas and what makes them special. Whether you're a local resident or planning a hunting trip to Texas, you'll find plenty of exciting options to choose from. Some of them are familiar to all, while some are only known to the most dedicated collectors of species.

What exotic species can I hunt in Texas? Here is a list:

Addax

Aoudad

Arabian Oryx

Axis Deer

Bison

Black Hawaiian Sheep

Black Wildebeest

Blackbuck

Blesbok

Blue Sheep

Blue Wildebeest

Bongo

Catalina Sheep

Dama Gazelle

Eland

Emu

Fallow Deer

Feral Hog

Gayal

Gemsbok

Ibex

Impala

Jacob's 4 Horn Sheep

Kangaroo

Kudu

Markhor

Mouflon Sheep

Muntjac Deer

Nile Lechwe

Nilgai

Nyala

Ostrich

Painted Desert Sheep

Pere David Deer

Red Lechwe

Red Sheep

Red Sheep

Red Stag

Rhea

Sable

Scimitar Oryx

Sika Deer

Sitatunga

Springbok

Tahr

Texas Dall Sheep

Thompson's Gazelle

Transcaspian Urial Sheep

Water Buffalo

Waterbuck

White Bearded Gnu

Zebra

Zebu

Addax

The Addax is critically endangered in its native habitat of the Sahara Desert.

Aoudad

The Aoudad is also known as the Barbary Sheep. Wild populations are now also established in New Mexico.

Axis Deer

Axis Deer are able to breed year round. Some does have up to 3 fawns per year. This has caused their numbers to explode in both Texas and Hawaii,.

Bison

Bison once roamed the vast majority of the US but now free range bison hunts are only available in Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Utah, and Arizona. Texas' bisons hunts are captive bison only.

Blackbuck

Blackbuck are native to India and is more active during the day than most North American big game species.

Blesbok

The blesbok is native to southern Africa where it was almost hunted to extinction until it made a comeback in the 90's.

Bongo

The bongo is native to subsaharan Africa and is mostly nocturnal.

Eland

The eland is one of the largest antelopes in the world and is native to Africa.

Emu

Emu originated in Australia and can weigh over 80lbs.

Fallow Deer

Fallow deer are native to Turkey but are now introduced to many regions in Europe as well as the US.

Feral Hog

Feral hogs are often hunted by helicopter with fully automatic weapons as many wildlife managers consider them a pest.

Gazelle, Dama

The Dama Gazelle is critically endangered in its native Sahara Desert.

Gazelle, Thomson's

The Thomson's Gazelle is the 4th fastest land animal and can reach speeds of 55mph.

Gemsbok

The Gemsbok is also called the South African Oryx and wild numbers of this desert master are estimated to be over 373,000.

Ibex

The Ibex is native to Eurasia and Northern Africa. In the 15th century it almost went extinct due to the widespread adoption of firearms for hunting.

Impala

Impala are native to southern Africa. Their scientific name loosely translates to high horn, black foot.

Kangaroo

Kangaroo meat is only 2% fat and is a staple food source for native Australians.

Kudu

Kudu are found in Africa. Because of the shape of their horns, males have been known to get locked together while fighting. If unable to unlock themselves, both males will die of starvation or dehydration.

Markhor

The Markhor is a high elevation goat species found natively in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Muntjac Deer

The Muntjac Deer is one of the oldest deer species still around today. It's native to southeast Asia.

Lechwe

Wild and native lechwe are only found in the marshlands of Africa.

Nilgai

Nilgai are the largest antelope in their native Asia. Mature bulls can weigh over 600lbs.

Nyala

Nyala are native to southern Africa and tend to breed throughout the year.

Oryx

Texas is home to the Scimitar-horned Oryx (pictured above) as well as the Arabian Oryx. Both species are more numerous in captivity than in the wild.

Ostrich

Ostriches have been introduced to many locations around the world. Today in Australia, there is a wild population of feral ostriches.

Pere David's Deer

Though the Pere David's Deer went extinct in its native China, reintroduction efforts from a captive herd in Britain have proven successful.

Red Deer (Red Stag)

One of the most well known exotic game species in the world, red deer are native to Europe and Asia. They can now be found on every continent except Antarctica.

Sable

When bull sable fight for breeding rights, they drop to their knees to do so. They are native to Africa.

Sheep Varieties

Blue, Catalina, Mouflon, Red, Jacob's 4 Horn, Painted Desert, Texas Dall, Transcaspian Urial

Many sheep varieties are available for hunting in Texas. Pictured here is the Mouflon sheep, native to the Mediterranean region.

Sika Deer

Sika deer are native to Japan and roar during mating season much like Elk and Red Deer.

Tahr

The tahr is native to Asia and is found at very high elevations.

Water Buffalo

Water buffalo originated in southeast Asia and require water to regulate their body temperature during hot days.

Wildebeest

Wildebeest are some of the most numerous large mammals in all of Africa with numbers estimated to be above 1.6 Million.

Zebra

Scientists are still unsure what caused the evolution of zebra stripes. One leading theory is that it makes it harder for blood sucking flies to land on them.

Zebu

Zebu are actually a type of domestic cattle from Africa and Asia.