Offrange NM Oryx Hunt 2025

[Sommerville92]

Was fortunate enough to draw my 2nd off range Oryx tag this year. My previous tag was 18 years ago. On that hunt, I was unsuccessful in getting an Oryx after driving countless miles and going thru many tanks of gas. Ever since then I wanted to get another off range tag, but decided if I ever drew again, I would do it different. I wanted to do this hunt on foot. Not sure if that would be the best chance of success, but it more fits my style of hunting rather than driving around. I wanted to get out and hike, glass and enjoy. With that in mind, I did some research on some roadless areas to try and headed out.

First day of my hunt, I parked the truck as the sun came up and started walking. I hadn't got even 1/4 mile from the truck when I glassed up 2 Oryx about a 3/4 of a mile away! Couldn't believe it. They were just feeding, so I figured out the best stalking route and went after them. I thought everything was going perfect until about halfway into the stalk I spotted them quickly on the move. Turns out a truck had parked on a high point and got them moving. Luckily I was able to cut them off. They were across a draw at just over 300 yards. I threw down my backpack and quickly tried to get on them. The 2nd Oryx stopped briefly allowing me to get a shot off. Not sure exactly what happened, but thinking I just rushed the shot a little. At the shot, the Oryx ran down hill and looked up behind them, pretty sure sign that I shot over him. He didn't linger and quickly got out of there. Dang it! Kicked myself for rushing the shot, but was feeling somewhat optimistic about the possibility of getting an Oryx on foot in the area I picked based on the mornings activity. I spent a good 30 mins or more looking for blood and following the Oryx' tracks, no sign of hit as I expected. The rest of the day I did some more glassing and did see some Oryx over a mile away, but they looked to be on the wrong side of the fence anyway. Went back to camp after dark looking forward to the next day.

My second day of the hunt, I had help. My best bud came down along with my Dad and Uncle. The older men stayed in camp while me and my friend hiked a mile out to a hill we could glass on. We hadn't been there more than 2 minutes when I spotted a nice Oryx on the correct side of the fence but still over a mile away. That didn't take long! Unfortunately he walked behind a small hill and out of sight. About that time my friend spotted 2 more Oryx a lot closer. They were around 1200 yards. Turns out they both had severely broken horns, almost to the nubs. I decided that we should try to make a stalk on them. First because I know how hard it is to get ANY off range Oryx, but also because they were right in between us and the other nice Oryx we saw, so might as well head that way. haha I told myself I would decide if I wanted to take the broken horn or not if we got in range, so off we went.

We were able to get into an arroyo that should take us fairly close to the 2 Oryx. While we were stalking, I was thinking how cool this was. In 2 days of foot hunting Oryx I was able to make 2 stalks. More than exceeded my expectations. We walked the arroyo until we got to where we could slowly climb out and we figured the 2 Oryx would be within 300 yards. We slowly climbed out and I immediately spotted the Oryx. However to my surprise, there was now 4 Oryx! The other 2 must have been in the arroyo and we hadn't noticed them. The other 2 both had unbroken horns, but one of them was a lot bigger than the other, so I focused on him! I took the range finder out and we had misjudged what the distance would be, it was 475. I did not feel comfortable shooting that far. We watched the Oryx and they were feeding away from us over the next rise. We decided to let them get out of sight and then book it over there. So once the last Oryx crested the hill, off we went.

As we got close to the top of the hill where they disappeared we slowed down and really started looking. I was taking a few steps when my friend hit me on the shoulder and said stop! He saw a tail swish just to the left of a mesquite bush at 175 yards! I set up the standing tripod and got ready. I could only see the top half of the Oryx because of the hill slope, so the only shot would be standing. Glad I brought the shooting sticks! When the Oryx walked into the open, of course it was one of the broken horns. He gave me a perfect broadside shot. Nope, not him. I kept looking to the right and saw the Oryx I was after! He too was in the mesquite bush. I expected him to follow the path of the broken horn, but he walked straight away out of sight. The broken horn moved over the hill too and out of sight. I picked up the tripod and slowly crept forward. We probably only went 15 yards when we spotted the 2 Oryx again. The Oryx on the far right was out in the open with his head feeding on the ground facing away from us. That should be the one I was after, he was on the right. I quickly got on the tripod and waited for him to turn broadside. When he did, it was the broken horn again! Dang it! They had switched places. I turned my attention to the one on the left and sure enough, it was the one I was after. He started walking to the left back to a mesquite bush. I didn't think he was going to stop. Luck was on my side though, he stopped with his head/neck behind the mesquite but giving me a window for the shoulder. I steadied the custom 7MM Remington Mag that my 90 year old Grandpap made me 10 years ago and pulled the trigger! I heard the all familiar thump and when I recovered from the recoil I saw Oryx feet in the air! I kept my rifle on them knowing Oryx are notorious for getting back on their feet, but he never did.

Walking up to my Oryx I was super happy! This hunt could not have gone any better. I did it exactly how I wanted, with my best friend and killed my first Oryx with my Grandpap's gun. This moment is why I hunt!

The next 2 days I got to enjoy packing out an Oryx for the first time, over 2 miles to the truck. Tough work but the best work there is!

If I never get another Oryx tag, I'll be satisfied. Hard experience to top!

33 inch bull

Thanks,
Travis

Good evening!
My name is Cary, I am out here now, I have the off range tag for March and I am really struggling getting into oryx. I’m staying in Carrizozo and have a few more days of hunts ahead of me.
Do you mind sharing some insight with me on a rough area where you got into them at?
I’d really appreciate it!
Happy to swap any Wyoming info for you.

 

[5yearcoueshunter]

Good evening!
My name is Cary, I am out here now, I have the off range tag for March and I am really struggling getting into oryx. I’m staying in Carrizozo and have a few more days of hunts ahead of me.
Do you mind sharing some insight with me on a rough area where you got into them at?
I’d really appreciate it!
Happy to swap any Wyoming info for you.

Hey Cary,
If you want to give me some contact info I'll be happy to share some tips with you. I can't PM you because your brand new member it looks like.

 

[Sommerville92]

Hey Cary,
If you want to give me some contact info I'll be happy to share some tips with you. I can't PM you because your brand new member it looks like.

Hey Cary,
If you want to give me some contact info I'll be happy to share some tips with you. I can't PM you because your brand new member it looks like.

Thanks so much, my cell is 248-318-5176