He African oryx, or gemsbok, is a large African antelope that now lives in southern New Mexico. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish wanted to establish a huntable animal population in an area where there were not currently huntable numbers of big game and that was the purpose of introducing an exotic big game animal.
The oryx was brought from the Kalahari Desert in Africa to an experimental range at Red Rock New Mexico. Federal law prohibits introducing a wild animal from another country into the wild in this country so offspring were obtained at this experimental range to introduce onto the White Sands Missile Range.
Between 1969 and 1977, 93 oryx were released on White Sands Missile Range. There are now about 3000 animals in residence. Annual hunts for the oryx began in 1974 on the Missile Range. Oryx can weigh up to 450 pounds. They stand 47 inches at the shoulder. Both males and females have horns that average 34 inches long. Their brown coloring with distinctive black and white markings allows them to hide among desert shrubs.
Oryx are specially adapted to desert life. They can go an indefinite period without drinking water. In Africa they feed on grasses, forbs, and melons. In the Tularosa basin, they eat desert grasses, yucca, buffalo gourds, mesquite bean pods, and tumbleweeds.
In their natural habitat in Africa, lions and other native predators control the oryx population, and only 10% of oryx calves reach the age of one year. Here in New Mexico, predators such as coyotes and mountain lions are not effective at controlling oryx at a stable population. Hunting in the White Sands Missile Range provides that function.
Seasoned veteran or first time hunter, CHL Hunts, Guide and Outfitter Service, can help with your hunt. We offer elk, deer, oryx, antelope, and turkey hunts on public and private land.
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