wow, a professional ass kicker
how cool

Trouthunter, this was split because your post was off topic (OT). Please stop trolling for flame wars.

Wow paying to kill animals in a cage
How cool

Trouthunter,

Please help me understand your post. Who kills animals in a cage? That doesnt sound like "hunting" to me. What are you talking about?

dl

While yes there are "canned" hunts out there where a hunter just pays for a "trophy" exotic, goes in and shoots an animal in a small enclosure, there ARE many reputable outfits on HUGE acreage that offers a VERY challenging hunt. Yes they are on high fence property, but untill you have hunted on 1000+ acres wether its hi fenced or not then you have NO clue what you are talking about. Many places do not over stock or hand feed these animals and run a quality ranch. So trout...When you actually know what you are talking about please try to refrain from showing your inept attitude towards those of us that cant afford to go to africa (where we couldnt bring home the meat anyway) and use these very challenging and rewarding businesses as an alternative.

Thanks and Happy new year all

There are lots of places to hunt 'exotics' that are not behind fence. I hunted aoudad in west Rexas in the Ft. Davis Mtns where they are free ranging. There are free ranging nilgai and axis in parts of Texas as well.

In parts of South America you can hunt free ranging blackbucl, axis, red deer etc. I could get 100's of examples of free range exotics around the world. Some were deliberately introduced in a free range situation, others are as a result of animals escaping from fenced properties.

The issue on exotics always boils down to the high fence and how big the enclosure is, coupled with the terrain and vegetation in the area. All of this affects the difficulty of the 'hunt'.

Everyone will have to make their own choice on this. I will not hunt behind a fence. Period. That is my choice. I know hunters that do and that is their choice.

I went and assisted an outfitter in Saskatchewan on several elk 'hunts' behind high fence in 2005. He envited me to give him a hand, with the idea of hiring me to 'guide' in the future. I had always had reservations about it, so went ot see what it was really all about.

The fenced area was approximately 2 sections or 1280 acres of aspen forest, swamps and grass fields. Having hunted elk in the wild for the last 30 years I can tell you it was no where close to the real thing. The 4 hunters I was around to help with all got beautiful 6x6 bulls, but it was not 'hunting'. In fact I am embarrassed to even talk about being there, but I am glad I went as it confirmed my suspicions about much of the high fence 'hunting preserves', especially since this outfitter is suppose to be one of the better ones.

I know hunters from the lower 48 that I have guided in Canada that went and hunted exotics in Texas behind fence. Some are still doing it, others came away disappointed with their experience and have never done it again.

Again, it is a personal choice each one of us has to make. I see this topic being hammered around all the time and it never gets anywhere. It is a topic where we should all just agree to disagree and go on to more productive discussions.

I can only comment on exotic hunting in Texas, and say that there are canned (easy) hunts here for exotics and there are difficult ones,depending on the size of the place. In central areas of Texas, so many elk, eland, blackbuck, and axis deer have gottern loose, they are practically native now. A sixty acre high fence pasture certainly does not offer much challenge. A 1,000 acre dense brush pasture with a few trails cut through it, offers a much greater challenge, but not the same as going out to the Rockies for an elk hunt and hunting a 200,000 acre area full of mountains. EAch person has to determine what is best for them and each of us is free to think as we like about it. That is America.

Exotic hunting, high fence of low is a great opportunity to keep the year full of hunting opportunities when the regular seasons are closed. All exotic hunts are what you make of them. Do your research and you can find one that fits you own needs and expectations for a fair hunt.

This hunt was low fence rough public land....

This hunt was on a high fence 3500 acre private ranch...

Both were exciting, enjoyable and satisfying hunts. Both we're different, but I can't say that one was better than the other. Any day in the field is a great day in my book. I'll never be one to chastise anyone for any type of "legal" hunting.

Hey Bzzboyz, welcome and tell me a little about the hunt on public land. Sounds like fun.