King Ranch Hunting

King Ranch hunting sits on one of the largest privately held ranches in America, spanning South Texas with habitat ranging from live oak mottes to coastal prairies and dense brush country. What started as a working cattle ranch became the birthplace of Texas game conservation—and it still operates that way today.

The wildlife numbers tell the story:

Add in 35 threatened and endangered species, 386+ migratory waterfowl, and native flora that makes the habitat work for both livestock and game.

All hunts run fair-chase and low-fence. Your guide calls a week before your hunt to confirm meeting times and details. Most hunts pair 2 hunters with 1 professional guide who brings knowledge of King Ranch's history, wildlife behavior, and terrain.

• •Day hunts require your own lodging in Kingsville, TX. You meet your guide early morning, hunt all day, and return by evening. Lunch is included.

• •Package hunts come with lodging on the ranch, 2-3 nights depending on the package. Most include kitchen facilities but not meals—you can add meal service for an additional fee. Arrive the night before or noon on hunt day depending on package.

Nilgai are the ranch's most available hunt. These 600-lb bulls and 300-lb cows came from San Diego Zoo stock in the 1920s and now number over 18,000. They're challenging to hunt—excellent eyesight, hearing, and smell make them a serious pursuit.

• •Rifle hunts use spot-and-stalk or waterhole ambush. Stalks range from a few hundred yards to over a mile. You'll likely walk several miles per day.

• •Archery hunts focus on three methods:
• •Ladder stands at fence crossings (nilgai movement between bedding and feeding areas)
• •Waterhole stands for 15-35 yard shot opportunities
• •Spot-and-stalk for experienced bowhunters comfortable with 35+ yard shots (requires 15+ mph wind to mask scent)

King Ranch limits bookings per pasture and enforces strict quotas, meaning your odds of finding an appropriate buck are very high. They offer multiple management levels:

• •Under 130 B&C: $2,800 day hunt; $6,800 package (with nilgai)
• •130-140 B&C: $4,500 day hunt; $8,500 package (with nilgai)

Hunting methods include safari-style, spot-and-stalk, still hunting, ladder stands, ground blinds, rattling, and guide-chosen tactics based on season and conditions. Youth hunters are welcome with proper training.

They build custom packages combining hunts:

• •Nilgai + Whitetail Deer (4 hunter minimum): $6,800-$8,500
• •Nilgai + Turkey: $6,350
• •Nilgai + Saltwater Bay Fishing: $6,000
• •Nilgai Cow + Bay Fishing: $4,900
• •Turkey Hunt: $5,200 (2 birds, 2 nights, limited availability)
• •Predator Hunt: $1,500 day hunt, unlimited coyotes/feral hogs
• •Saltwater Bay Fishing: $1,500 (May-August only)

"We conduct our guiding hunting programs on pastures larger than most ranches, and the hunter is likely to see a plethora of game and non-game species alike."

Your professional guide brings knowledge of King Ranch's conservation history, wildlife density-based harvest models, game management techniques, and terrain strategy. They've learned predictable nilgai movement patterns, water locations, and fence crossings. They understand how to adapt hunting style to season, wind, and hunter ability.

• •Day hunts: $1,500 deposit required; harvest fees collected day-of
• •Package hunts: Full payment required upfront
• •Cancellation: Non-refundable within 30 days; will reschedule if cancelled earlier

Submit interest through their online form at Book A Hunt, or call (361) 221-0350. Email inquiries to [email protected].

Nilgai hunts book year-round with availability year-round (winter/spring fill months in advance). Whitetail and turkey hunts run specific seasons with limited availability. Predator/hog/javelina hunts available late spring through early fall. Saltwater bay fishing runs May-August.