Gazelle

Gazelle

Gazelle Hunts texas

If you glance at a gazelle quickly you may mistake it for a deer. But when you look closer you’ll immediately be able to tell the difference. Gazelles are easily distinguishable due to their large curved horns and their tan or reddish brown coats and white rumps.

Their impressive horns are what make them so attractive for trophy hunts at Squaw Mountain Ranch. The male’s horns are typically longer than the female’s. Some types of gazelles can grow horns as big as 14 inches long. Their coats also often have spots or stripes that help to set them apart. Here are some other fun facts about the gazelle.

What is a Gazelle?

The gazelle’s name comes from the Arabic word “gazal” which is the word for love poems. Gazelles are antelopes that are found in Africa, Asia, as well as parts of the United States, including Texas.

In total, there are 19 different species of gazelles. Each has different characteristics and can weigh anywhere from 26 to 165 pounds. The dama gazelle is the largest of the bunch weighing in anywhere from 88 to 165 pounds and standing as tall as five and a half feet. It is also the rarest with a population of less than 500.

Gazelles are known for their speed as they typically run 30 to 40 miles per hour and are known to sprint as fast as 60 miles per hour! Their speed is what helps them to stay away from hunters and other predators. They also flick their tail or stomp their feet to warn others in their herd of a lurking predator. Gazelles have a strong sense of sight, hearing, and smell which they also use to protect themselves in the wild.

Gazelles are social animals with as many as 700 belonging to just one herd. The male herd is often referred to as the bachelor herd. At times gazelles do segregate and flock with their gender, especially during mating season.

Habitat of the Gazelle

Gazelles are known to live in hot, dry areas. In order to survive in the heat, they are able to shrink their heart and liver. By doing this they are decreasing the amount of air and water they need. A smaller heart and liver need less oxygen. This allows gazelles to able to survive in stressful environmental conditions by losing less water.

Gazelles are territorial and either spray a scent or lay droppings in the areas that are theirs. If another gazelle comes to try to claim that area, the two gazelles will lock horns. The winner has the bragging rights and the land to show for it.

Eating Habits of Gazelles

Gazelles are herbivores. They will only eat grass, shoots, plants, and herbs. When they can’t reach their food, they are able to stand on their back legs to get to the tall branches. They tend to eat early in the morning and late at night to avoid being out and searching for food in the heat. Gazelles also have an extra stomach to store food so that they don’t have to go out as often.

When they’re young, gazelles need a lot of water to survive. But, as they age and are able to fend for themselves, they learn to depend less on water. Their bodies get water from the extract from the plants they eat. In fact, some gazelles can survive the rest of their lives without drinking regular water at all.

Breeding Habits of Gazelles

Gazelles will typically mate during the rainy season so that their offspring has plenty of water to drink. Gazelles are pregnant for about six months, giving birth to one or two fawns at a time. Many gazelles will give birth twice a year.

After birth, the mother gazelle will product her babies from predators by hiding them in tall grass. Fawns and calves will stay with their mothers while they are still nursing. When the calves are done, they will go off and join the male herd. Fawns will stay with their mother. Gazelles can live anywhere from ten to fifteen years.

Hunting Gazelles

Due to their speed, light frame and keen senses, hunting gazelles takes time and skill. Hunters often take the spot and stalk approach and are most successful by surprising their prey. Gazelles like to hide in tall grasses to protect themselves from hunters.

There are no seasonal restrictions on hunting gazelles in Texas, so it is a year-round activity. At Squaw Mountain Ranch you will find Dama Gazelles, Grants Gazelles, and Thomson’s Gazelles.

While the spot and stalk approach is often the one most recommended, hunters can try any approach they see fit at Squaw Mountain Ranch. Gazelle hunters can also choose from a variety of methods including bow hunting and pistol hunting. There is also instruction in long range shooting available.

Each trophy hunter at Squaw Mountain Ranch is guaranteed a formidable trophy they can show off and bring home.

Call Squaw Mountain today at 830-275-3277 to find out more about the variety of gazelle hunting packages available.