Blackbuck Antelope
Blackbuck antelope are native to India, Nepal and Pakistan. In India and Pakistan they are called by various names, Haran, Kaliyar and Veli-man. In Nepal they are known as the Sasin and are the only known animal of their scientific genus. In the 1930's several conservationist developed a stocking program for these graceful animals on several Texas hill country ranches, in an effort to save this species from extinction. As it turns out, these efforts worked so well that in 1971, these ranchers were able to start a reintroduction program to the blackbuck's native home range on the Indian sub-continent.
Another, unexpected, benefit from these breeding programs is that there are now enough blackbucks, over 25,000 in Texas alone, to allow for sport hunting. Today, the size of this introduced population in Texas exceeds the numbers of the "native" and reintroduced animals remaining in their original range on the Indian sub-continent.
Males of the species develop the characteristic ringed "corkscrew" horns that rise in a classic "V" shape and are the trademark of these supple animals. While, occasionally there will be a horned female whose horns tend to be curled in a sheep like, asymmetrical manner, they are far from common. Angles for typical horn spreads will range from 45 to 55 degrees. Growth of the horns will continue through out a male's lifetime, but the growth rate is slowed somewhat after 6 or 7 years while the effects of splitting and wear continue. Consequently, the best heads among the 4 year olds can nearly match those found among 12 or 13 year olds. Straight length measurements of 20 to 24 inches, with 3 to 4 twists are not uncommon for record book animals, while the lengths of exceptional trophies rival the shoulder height of the animal.
The male blackbuck's coat is probably it's most striking feature. And it is from this feature that their American name is derived. Mature bucks are black above and white below with a sharp contrast between the colors. Bright white rings the eyes, frames the tail, accentuates the ears and covers the chin. Some bucks will darken more than others, while many alternate between dark shades in winter and light brown shades in summer. Social status can also influence color as territorial or dominant bucks will generally lighten the least in summer. Dominant bucks may go black their first fall as adults while inferior age mates might show only a slight darkening of the fore quarters. But by 2 1/2 years of age all males will show signs of darkening as the winter months approach.
Horn growth on the other hand will remain comparable regardless of herd ranking and superior bucks will usually develop the heavier neck of maturity sooner. These dominant traits are reversible, however, as the status of a buck continues to change throughout it's lifetime. Males will average 80 to 100 pounds live weight and females will average 50 to 60 pounds. Adult shoulder height is 26 to 31 inches for males and 21 to 28 inches for females.
Blackbuck are primarily grazers, but can shift to become mainly browsers during the summer months when the grasses are dry. During the dry period they will often supplement their diet with flowers or fruits and they will water twice a day during the hotter parts of the year. They make full use of dew and moisture in their forage because of their early morning and late evening grazing habits. It is because of these feeding and watering habits that the best hunting is early in the morning or late in the evening.
The Texas hill country will probably remain the blackbuck's stronghold here in North America as years of predator control that favor sheep and goat ranching has also proven beneficial to the blackbuck. Extensive brush control to create pasture land for domestic livestock offers the blackbuck the open grasslands that they require, and the dry climate and mild winters suits them well. An interesting side note is that the very region in which the blackbuck thrive so well is the one area of Texas believed to never have harbored significant numbers of pronghorn, the only native "antelope" of North America.
The social structure of the blackbuck consists of three distinct groups; female groups, bachelor groups and territorial males. Females only stay with a particular male for brief periods, so that only transient "pseudo-harems" are formed. However, the predictability of the female group's daily routes may bring them into the same male's territory at the same time each day for several weeks in a row.
Blackbuck can breed at any time of the year with only one fawn being born at a time. Though most females are capable of giving birth to two offspring a year, at six month intervals. Females can conceive within a month after giving birth and will cycle every five of six days until bred. The receptive period is usually 24 hours.
The females will mature faster then the males can come into heat as early as 8 months of age and have a fawn at just over 13 months. While bucks do not usually mature sexually until they are 18 months old. They are usually frustrated in their first attempt to mate by competition from other bachelors. Only those bucks that are territory holders can court successfully. Bucks will reach their prime at 6 years of age and can continue to breed until they are 12.
Blackbuck hunting means scanning clearings, but being ready for the quarry to run for the brush if disturbed. Conversely, blackbuck alerted in the brush will flee into the open. The buck's small size and slender build can unduly exaggerate the size of their horns, therefore, when possible it is better to take a buck from a bachelor group where comparisons can be easily made. In any case, shots need to be prompt as blackbuck are too wary and swift for hesitation. A typical range of 100 yards or more is the norm.
When hunting blackbuck, we have to keep their diminutive size in mind. Try for a conventional shot through or just behind the shoulders and try to penetrate the heart or lungs. Leave the tricky neck shots for larger game. An adequately loaded .223 or .243 is more then sufficient for these small, thin skinned animals with larger magnum calibers being a bit too heavy, in most instances. Though the hunter should shoot what he is most comfortable with.
Those who can take home the meat will enjoy lean dark cuts that lack the heavy marbling which makes beef so juicy. Therefore, moist-meat methods of cooking are the best ones to employ when preparing this delicious table fare. Flat skins from these animals make lovely rugs or wall hangings while head and shoulder mounts make beautiful and impressive trophies.
