AAE Spotlights: Rocky Woodford Outfitting

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.

 

 

‘Three Species’ Ruling – The Final Chapter?

At AAE, we have been trying our best to keep our followers informed as to the lengthy, on-going battle to save 3 of our beloved exotic species from what many believe will result in a very sad and unfortunate (and likely severe) decline in currently thriving populations of each species.

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”

Eight Point Ranch Featured On Keith Warren TV

Be sure to tune in to Keith Warren’s Deer & Wildlife Stories (pursuit/HUNT channels) tonight @ 6:30 pm (cst)* as Keith Warren visits our friends at the Eight Point Ranch in East-Central Texas.  On the show, Keith travels around the country, showcasing some of the finest whitetail deer breeding operations in existence today.  This special episode (entitled “Like Driving to Another Country’) is the first exotic farm/breeding facility to be highlighted and featured on the show!

*If you miss the episode tonight, you can also catch the show on Saturday @ 3pm (cst).

Nestled in the rolling hills of Elgin, Texas, 45 minutes east of Austin, Texas, Eight Point Ranch offers some of the finest animals and genetics available for stocking and hunting alike, the Eight Point Ranch has scoured the state of Texas to collect some of the finest genetics available and the quality of animals speaks for itself.

If you’re looking for more information on EPR available genetics, visit their ‘Stock Your Ranch’ page.  Be sure to also visit their website @ www.EightPointRanch.com if you have questions about booking a hunt or stocking your ranch with some of their amazing genetics.

Episodes of Keith Warren’s shows are also available on his website at www.keithwarren.net under “Full Episodes” in addition to the Pursuit/HUNT channels.

AAE Welcomes the Bahia Game Ranch

We’re ringing in the New Year with a brand new exotic hunting ranch joining the AAE Find-A-Hunt directory!

The Bahia Game Ranch, located near Brenham, Texas is the newest addition to our growing list of reputable exotic ranches and outfitters — all set on leading you to that trophy of a lifetime!

Bahia Game Ranch is ideal for bow and/or cross bow hunting! The animals that call Bahia home receive the highest in nutrition and health care. This East Texas game ranch produces some of the best trophies in Texas!

Located just north of Brenham Texas, on FM 390 W (also known as the Bahia Trail), Bahia Game Ranch is located half way between Austin and Houston in beautiful rolling hills. Bahia Game Ranch offers some of the finest animals and genetics available for stocking and hunting alike. The species that are available are:

Axis Deer, Blackbuck, Fallow, Grant’s Gazelle, Impala, New Zealand Red Stag, Nyala, Nile & Red Lechwe, Sable, Scimitar-Horned Oryx & Whitetail Deer.

For Bahia hunt pricing, please visit the Bahia Game Ranch AAE Page and contact Norm Teegardin for more information or to schedule a hunt.