Blackbuck Hunts

Hunting Blackbuck

Blackbuck were first introduced to the U.S. from India in 1932 when they were brought to Kerr County, Texas. Since then, they have made their way to other exotic hunting grounds.

Their name refers to the coloration of adult males. They are the only species in which the male and female are distinct colors. The color of the males' coats starts to alter as they reach sexual maturity at roughly 5 or 6 years old. First, they begin to get black around the neck, shoulder, and head region. Then, they will turn completely black along their sides and back after a year. The belly and eye rings will continue to be white. You will never see more gorgeous mounts than these. The light-brown female is typically hornless. Blackbuck herds usually consist of 15–20 animals and one dominant male and roam the plains or fields. Although they often do not battle to the death, they are incredibly fierce fighters. Their meat is very delicious and lean. The females will usually breed twice a year, and that helps the herd increase. The blackbuck has few predators due to its top speed of 50 mph.

Blackbuck are hunted in Texas, Argentina, Tennessee, Florida, Hawaii, and Oklahoma. Texas has the largest number of blackbuck hunts.

Texas Blackbuck Hunts

Typically, blackbuck hunts in Texas take place in the Hill Country, about a one- to two-hour drive from the San Antonio airport. Blackbuck hunting is permitted all year long in Texas because the animal, native to India, thrives in the Hill Country environment. Blackbuck antelope are an exotic in Texas, and there’s no closed season for hunting them. Since blackbucks are up on their feet moving throughout the day, a hunter will get multiple opportunities to harvest a trophy blackbuck.

Argentina Blackbuck Hunts

The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), sometimes known as the Indian antelope, is an antelope found in Argentina's northeast, where more than 10,000 animals were available in the 1980s. It is also found in India, Nepal, and Pakistan. The only remaining member of the genus Antilope is the blackbuck, which is regarded as the second fastest animal in the world after the cheetah and is capable of running at speeds of up to 80 km per hour (50 mph).

The shooting season for blackbucks is lengthy, lasting from March to November. Blackbucks graze on sparse grasses. They typically inhabit grassy plains or sparsely wooded areas. Blackbuck must also regularly consume water, so they frequently travel great distances. Blackbucks are diurnal, which means they spend most of the day active. Around noon, this activity tends to slow down, especially when the days start to grow warmer throughout the summer. As with other large game, La Pampa is a popular area in Argentina to hunt blackbuck. The terrain of La Pampa is primarily flat, with some areas of rolling hills, so hunters tend to find this region easier to hunt.

There are two main methods for hunting blackbuck: stalking and still hunting. Stalking is the most challenging way to hunt blackbuck. This is because they tend to stay on open plains with short grass, so any movement is pretty visible. Also, blackbuck can be extremely intelligent, and they often will use the local birds, such as the Southern Lapwing, which, when alerted, screams and flies around any potential danger.

Despite their abundance in Argentina, blackbuck trophies cannot be exported without a CITIES permit. This is a result of their declining population in India, where blackbucks originally came from, which has raised awareness of the need to preserve them.

With Argentina being one of the top countries in the world for hunting, there are many great outfitters that operate from fine lodges and camps. Argentina also has good infrastructure with excellent roads and internal flights.

Florida Blackbuck Hunts

The blackbuck antelope is one of the most sought-after exotics in Florida because of its stunning black and white coat and graceful spiraling horns. An adult male blackbuck weighs between 75 and 110 pounds on average, has horns that are 14 to 18 inches long, and has distinctive white rings around his eyes.

Be ready for a challenging hunt because the blackbuck antelope is one of the world's fastest land animals and will run at the slightest sign of danger. They can top 50 mph and have excellent eyesight, which they will employ to avoid any threat. They were brought to the United States from India and Pakistan in the early 1900s.

Additionally, blackbuck meat is delicious and delicate.

Hawaii Blackbuck Hunts

On the western portion of Molokai Island, blackbuck roam freely after being introduced there in the 1970s. Hunting blackbuck over water holes after a morning hunt for axis deer is a terrific idea because they are most active during the heat of the day. Although axis deer is likely your primary game animal, it would be wise also to include a blackbuck in your hunt.

Moloka'i is a perfect getaway from the congestion of the other islands. There is no traffic, no crowds, and no buildings taller than a coconut tree. It is home to the longest white sand beach in Hawaii, the tallest sea cliffs in the world, and the Kalaupapa Peninsula, which is the former Leprosy settlement where Father Damien lived and worked. There are many activities and beautiful places to experience on Molokai, as well as excellent hunting! Molokai is one of the last islands that still offers a glimpse of old Hawaii. 

Tennessee Blackbuck Hunts

The blackbuck is one of the most incredible trophies you will ever see. Blackbuck are easily recognized by their long, unique horns, which can reach 31 inches, and are encircled by 1 to 4 spiral turns, but seldom more than 4. Larger than 18 inches is considered a trophy blackbuck. They can be hunted all year round since they do not shed, and have horns instead of antlers.

Australia Blackbuck Hunts

Native to the plains of India and Pakistan, blackbuck were introduced to several locations in Australia during the early 1900s. As with many antelope species, blackbuck depend on their eyesight and speed for defense. They like open country and are a small target making them a challenging trophy. There is a large feral population in Cape York. Also, a lot of private hunting ranches have blackbuck.