“Our ranch is a family-centered environment.  We strive to provide exotic hunts to fit everyone’s pocketbook from non-trophy animals to record class animals.” — Rising Star Ranch

CURRENT SPECIALS: From now until the end of March, Rising Star Ranch is offering a 10% discount on all Trophy Fallow Hunting Packages to visitors of AAE!!  Also, they would like you to know that they still have Scimitar-horned oryx hunts available for a limited time!!

Rising Star Ranch values its high standards when it comes to sportsmanship, knowledge, good camaraderie and harvesting trophy animals at affordable prices. Count on fantastic animals and first-class hunting at Rising Star Ranch. They look forward to making your experience unforgettable and welcoming you to become a part of their family and friends.

For more information on Rising Star Ranch, including species available, hunt prices and facilities, visit the Rising Star Ranch AAE page.  To book a hunt, contact Rising Star @ 713.253.9299.  Also, be sure to visit their website @ www.RisingStarRanchTexas.com!

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The majority of the world’s known population of three endangered African antelope species could be culled this spring unless a controversial ruling by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is overruled by Congress and the President, according to House Republican Conference Secretary John R. Carter (TX-31).

“This case makes glaringly clear why extremist groups cannot be allowed to use the courts to make legislative decisions,” Carter says.  “This change in regulations will lead to the forced culling of the majority of these species on game ranches in North America, and will likely end in the disappearance of all three species on this continent within a decade, greatly increasing their chances of worldwide extinction.”

Carter is introducing legislation to restore the original USFWS ruling that allows hunting preserves to stock, breed, hunt, and preserve the species, under which the antelope were saved from extinction over past decades.   Lawsuits by extremist animal rights groups led to the agency’s revocation of those rules.   As a result, game ranchers will be economically forced to cull their herds of African antelope by April unless the rules are changed.

“Our goal is to save these species from extinction,” says Carter. “This ruling, if allowed to stand, could in fact eliminate these magnificent animals from the face of the earth, for no reason other than the advancement of a radical political philosophy.  We cannot allow that to happen, for the sake of future generations of both people and wildlife.”

CBS News 60 Minutes on this issue: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7396862n&tag=cbsnewsMainColumnArea.6

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rule Notice:
http://www.fws.gov/international/DMA_DSA/threeantelopefinalrule.html

U.S. Rep. John Carter
http://carter.house.gov/
31st District of Texas
409 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Contact: John.Stone@mail.house.gov; (202) 225-3864

The popular CBS primetime show presents an unbiased take on the current situation in the fight to “save” these 3 rare species from the brink of extinction.  Both sides of this heated debate are given their chance to state their case on the behalf of the side they represent as to why hunting exotics in Texas should (or should not) be allowed to continue and what best benefits these unique animals long term.

The Exotic Wildlife Association’s Executive Director, Charly Seale as well as leading conservationists and a pioneer in the exotic breeding industry are asked about the role exotic hunting and hunters play in the survival of several species, critically endangered in their native lands.  The show also talks to Priscilla Farrell, president of the animal rights group ‘Friends of Animals’.  She believes that raising animals to be hunted is immoral and should not be anyone’s right.

Check out the show and see what you think and let us know where you stand…feel free to leave your comments & feedback, no matter what side of the debate that you’re on.

Click here for the full video>>>‘Can hunting exotic animals save the species?’

Thanks again to Charly Seale for his representation on the behalf of the exotic breeding and hunting industry!

This year’s WwW Hunts will be offered in the Spring as well as the Fall and be FILMED for upcoming episodes of the outdoor Tv show “Stars of the Hunt”!

These events are limited-spot engagements that should not be missed!  Ladies, this is your chance to get away, be pampered and filmed hunting some of the finest exotics Texas has to offer!  The ranch you’ll be hunting is loaded with over 1200 record-class exotics, ranging from addax to zebra with accommodations that are second to none.

Hunt Schedule & Pricing:

Hunt #1: May 17-20 – limited to 6 spots (only 2 spots currently available)
Hunt #2: Aug/Sept (dates TBA) – 6 spots available

Fees for WwW hunts are only $150/day, which include lodging, meals & guide services (and a few “extras”), plus the trophy fees of the exotic(s) that you decide to go after and harvest.

For more information or to reserve your spot on the hunt(s), contact Donnie Briley of Briley Outfitting @ (325) 374-6867.  To learn more about hunting with Briley Outfitting, visit their revamped website @ www.brileyoutfitting.com.

Date: Thursday, January 26th
Location: Y.O. Hotel in Kerrville, TX (Spanish Oak Room)

This FREE seminar will begin at 9:00 A.M. and will conclude at 2:00 P.M. Lunch will be from 12:00-1:00 P.M. This meal is not provided but there is an excellent buffet at the hotel should attendees choose to eat there.

This seminar comes on the heels of the USFW’s ruling earlier this month concerning the scimitar-horned oryx, addax antelope & dama gazelle.  These 3 species will soon be subject to special permitting in order to hunt as well as buy, sell & transport them across state lines as of April 4, 2012.  There was some discussion as to whether or not organizations like the Dallas Safari Club, Exotic Wildlife Association and others would support such a seminar, as they did not wish the USFW to perceive this “open door” as complete acceptance and compliance to this controversial ruling.

Event: Kirafu Exotic Animal Auction
Date: January 28-29, 2012
Location: 10831 South Highway 183, Lampasas, Tx 76550
(13 miles south of Lampasas)

Kirafu Exotics offers consignors and buyers the most state-of-the-art facility of its kind in the world for the safe care and handling of exotic animals and birds.  Jurgen  Schulz, an internationally known exotic animal supplier and his associates, have the knowledge, contacts, resources and experience to offer the finest auction services available for trade of wild and exotic animals and birds. The results of Schulz’s success in capturing and trans-location of rare and endangered species can be seen today in zoos around the world, and continues through the  Kifaru Exotic Animal  Auction.

“Whether buying or selling,  Kifaru is where the legacy continues”

For more information or future auction dates, contact Kirafu Exotics @ 512-556-8251 or visit their website – www.KirafuExotics.com

Enter for your chance to Win a Deer Hunt from Champion Ranch and a Waterfowler Package (Including an A400 Xtreme Shotgun) from Beretta

***Package Valued at over $5,000!***

<—- Click on the image to the left to Enter and full contest details!

Winner Will Receive: An ALL-Inclusive Trophy Axis Hunt with Josh Abbott @ Champion Ranch near Colorado City, Texas.

Beretta Package Will Include:

• Max 4 Hat, Turtleneck & Xtrema Jacket
• Greenstone Shotgun Case
• Retriever Large Cartridge Bag
• A400 Xtreme Shotgun

Be sure to visit Josh Abbott Sports & Outdoors for more great hunting news and contests!

Looking to stock exotics on YOUR ranch with exotic animals?

Make plans to attend the 7th and final exotic auction of 2011 for the Huntsville Livestock Services.   HLS has been specializing in exotic sales for more than 20 years and are well known for the quality of their hoofstock.   Whether you’re looking to buy or sell prime livestock, Huntsville Livestock is ready to help.

Event: Huntsville Livestock Services – Exotic Auction

Date: Friday, January 13, 2012

Sales begin at 10:00 a.m.

Location: Huntsville Livestock Services, Inc
1846 Interstate Hwy 45N
Hunstville, Texas

Huntsville Livestock offers:
• Red Deer
• Fallow
• Sika
• Elk
• Indian/African game animals including camels, llamas, zebras, mini-horses, donkeys and more

For more information or to inquire about dates and particular breeds or species, please visit Huntsville Livestock Services, Inc or call (936) 295-4483.

For over 16 years, Rocky Woodford Outfitting has been guiding hunters on dream hunts in West and Southwest Texas.  They offer both high-fence and low-fence hunting options for hunters looking for that once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Choose from over 40 species of exotics, from axis deer to zebra!

With RWO, hunters have the opportunity to hunt very large areas of privately owned land where the landowner and Rocky work together tirelessly to accomplish one simple goal – produce large, trophy Whitetail Deer, Texas Exotics, Pronghorn Antelope, and mature Spring Turkeys.

RWO Exotic Hunting Special:

• Throughout the months of January & February, Rocky Woodford is offering a 10% discount on ANY exotic hunting package!
• **Be sure to mention AllAboutExotics.com when booking your hunt.

To find out more about Rocky Woodford Outfitting or for contact information, visit their AAE ‘Find A Hunt’ page.

We have just received word today that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s ruling on the future status of the 3 African antelope species (scimitar-horned oryx, addax antelope, and dama gazelle) in the U.S has been made public, signaling a closing chapter in this epic saga.

via the Exotic Wildlife Association (EWA) Membership Alert – 1/4/2012:

In the Exotic Wildlife Association’s effort to keep our membership up to date concerning the latest information regarding the “Three Species” (Scimitar Horned Oryx, Addax, and Dama Gazelle) we have received an advanced copy of the new rule that will be posted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service…The new rule will take effect 90 days after its publication in the Federal Registry on January 5, 2012. This means that those breeders who currently own one or more of the species will have until April 4, 2012 to obtain permits or legally sell their animals.  This rule will replace the exemption from the provisions of the ESA that was given to these three species in 2005.

The new ruling means that after April 3, 2012, ranchers housing these 3 species will no longer be able to breed, transport or take any animal without first going through the required permitting process(es) to do so.  It appears as though, the new permitting system will act much like those currently presiding over barasingha, eld’s deer, and red lechwe.  Permits for these animals generally take 6-12 months to acquire [no one knows yet how long the new process for the '3 Species' will take] and infringements come with harsh penalties due to their direct violation of the Lacey Act.  For these reasons (among others), most owners of the oryx, addax and dama species will elect not to apply for the permits, thus all but forcing them to reduce or eliminate their current herds entirely.

In the next 3 months we can expect: Live sale market value plummeting, the number of breeding facilities and ranches with the ’3 Species’ reduced drastically, the cost to hunt these species dropping significantly and harvest numbers skyrocketing.

Hopefully one day, proponents of this new ruling will be able to explain to us how this could possibly be in the best interest of these amazing species long-term.

To read the USF&W’s entire press release, click here —“Service Repeals Regulatory Exclusion for Captive-Bred African Antelope Species under the Endangered Species Act”