Where and When to Hunt Exotics

• When Richard Friedrich stocked his ranch with surplus animals from the San Antonio Zoo in the 1930s, area ranchers discovered that the Hill Country provides an appropriate environment for many exotic game species. Several species, such as emu, fallow deer and aoudad sheep, have naturalized themselves there. You'll need to head to a Hill Country hunting ranch that specializes in exotics to seek a trophy animal.
  
  Hunting exotics is permitted year-round with a state hunting license.
  
  

Available Species

• Exotics that you may legally hunt are ungulates: grass- or plant-eating, single- or cloven-hoofed mammals not native to Texas. The list of exotic animals available on private land includes aoudad sheep, axis deer, fallow deer, elk, bison, blackbuck antelope, feral hog, sika deer, scimitar-horned oryx, wildebeest, ibex, mouflon, Texas dahl sheep, Catalina goat, gemsbok, markhor, impala, eland, barasinga (Indian swamp deer) and other species. Hunting of ratites (emu, rhea, ostrich, cassowary) is also allowed.
  
  

Hunting Costs

• Hill Country hunting ranches may charge a daily hunt fee, which includes a guide, or offer two- to four-day packages that include meals and lodging plus guiding services. These costs are in addition to the trophy fee that varies according to the type of animal taken. Ask about the wounded animal policy when booking, since it varies from ranch to ranch. In 2010, a majority of exotic hunting operations charged 100 percent of the trophy fee for wounding an animal even if it escaped and survived after being shot.
  
  

Regulations and Restrictions

• Licenses to hunt with gun or bow are available at hundreds of locations such as grocery stores. Nonresidents of Texas seeking to bag an exotic animal need a valid Non-Resident Special Hunting License (Type 107) or Non-Resident 5-Day Special Hunting License (Type 157). Those under 17 must obtain a Youth Hunting License (Type 169).
  
  Acquiring the proper valid license is the hunter's responsibility. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department enforces compliance with all hunting regulations.
  
  

For Nonhunters

• Hunting ranches also accommodate guests who do not wish to hunt, usually by providing game rooms and big-screen TVs or off-ranch activities, such as tubing down the Frio or Medina rivers and shopping in nearby towns. Hiking and taking photographs from low-level blinds can also make the trip rewarding even for those who don't bring down an exotic trophy animal.