Now that we have gotten our fill of wild boar (you can't ever really tire of such challenging game!), let's take a look at all of the other species on offer. This is not a complete list by any means, but it will certainly cover the more commonly encountered species.
Despite our brief wild boar departure, I think that an alphabetical approach might be the easiest way to handle the task. So here goes:
Addax (addax nasomaculatus)
The Addax is a medium sized (a big bull stands about 4 feet tall at the withers and might weigh 250lbs), antelope-like African ungulate (this term can be correctly used to describe any hoofed mammal). Perhaps we should get the "antelope" description out of the way first. While this is not intended to be a treatise on taxonomy, I believe that most hunters would appreciate some information on how animals are named and how they are related to other similar species. So let's deal with the most common misnomer right of the bat.
As you explore hunting in the Texas Hill Country and around the world, you will note almost immediately the common tendency to apply the term antelope to a staggering variety of animals. Almost every variety of African hoofed game is referred to as a something or other antelope. While this may seem convenient, it is actually quite confusing, not to mention being totally inaccurate.
There is only one true antelope. This is the Blackbuck (antelope antelope), a native of the Indian sub-continent and a very successful transplant to Texas and many other parts of the world. We will discuss the Blackbuck in more detail later on, but suffice it to say that one of the characteristic features of this true antelope is fairly long spiral horns. The fact that antelope share this and some other features with a large variety of animals has led to the common (and incorrect) naming of those animals as antelope. So let's get serious about this and stick to the facts rather than the common misconceptions.
Addax are members of the sub-family hippotraginae. This Greek name means horse goats. As the Addax is neither a horse nor a goat, I suppose we can see that even the Greek scholars among us had problems with animal names! Other members of this group are the Oryxes, Sable and Roan.
Unlike all the other hippotraginae, Addax horns form a shallow spiral. Like the other members, the horns are ringed and somewhat divergent in a "V" shape. The rings disappear for the last third of the horn which ends in a sharp smooth tip. Addax horns appear to be somewhat thin, especially as they extend to the tips for the last third of their length. Both sexes carry horns and as is the case with other members of this group, the females often have longer horns than males. Males tend to have more massive horns and also tend to "broom" or wear the horn tips which of course tends to diminish their length and accentuate the appearance of massiveness.
A trophy Addax (both cows and bulls may be entered in the Record Books) has horns that measure 30" or more around the curve. A superb specimen might carry horns that are in the high 30's. The longest Addax I personally measured was an odd looking bull with "bent" horns that exceeded 38" in length and were an incredible 42" wide.
On a side note, Addax "venison" is excellent, like that of all the other members of this group. So if you are lucky enough to take a trophy Addax, be sure to take that meat!
For much of the year, Addax are completely devoid of markings with the exception of the head and face. In the summer coat, the body is completely white. In winter a taupe colored coat grows in some individuals which can cover the entire upper body from the neck to the flanks. The belly and legs remain white. The head and facial markings consist of a mask of alternating white and dark brown. There is a prominent dark brown "toupee" in adult animals.
Another striking feature is the large and widely splayed hooves; believed to be an adaptation to enable Addax to walk in desert sand without sinking deeply; a type of "snowshoe" for the desert. While this feature would be a definite advantage during a desert migration, it appears to make the Addax somewhat clumsy on other types of terrain. While the Addax is certainly capable of running, it seems to prefer a moderately paced walking gate when undisturbed.
It has been written that Addax "never drink" in their native habitat and that they obtain all their necessary moisture from succulent forbs and other plants that grow rapidly in the desert after infrequent but drenching rains. While I have read this and similar statements in various literature, I have my doubts about the accuracy of such claims. To be sure it seems reasonable to conclude that any desert dweller would have to have the means to obtain moisture from any available source, but I am also quite certain that any desert animal, even the Addax, would readily drink from any available water sources should the opportunity arise.
Addax are unfortunately one of the rarest of all ungulates, having been extirpated in its native ranges throughout North Africa. While this near extinction is often attributed to the uncontrolled "hunting" (I would submit that any wanton slaughter has nothing whatsoever to do with hunting and therefore that such a statement is suspect.) of the Addax by local people and others, I suspect that this may also be an example of an uncorroborated assumption.
To be sure, such pressure would not be helpful to the species, but given the remote and hostile nature of the Addax' environment, it would seem that a fair number of Addax would be able to live undisturbed. I suspect that the Addax is simply a species whose heyday has passed and that it is being eliminated from its native ranges by other species that are more efficient competitors for the minimal resources the desert offers.
Fortunately for the Addax (and as we shall see for many other threatened species) thriving populations are readily found in Texas. Not only has the Addax been saved from extinction by the efforts of those landowners who have propagated this animal, but the species has actually become commonplace in many areas.
Addax are not particularly wary animals and in fact can demonstrate aggressive tendencies in some situations. This is not an uncommon behavior for other members of this group, some of which, including sable and roan are noted for their pugnacity and willingness to fight when wounded or cornered.
Like all horned game, Addax are hunted year round in Texas. Hunting methods can vary, but Addax behavior makes a spot and stalk approach a good bet. Though Addax are not particularly large, they can be tough to put down. This is another trait they share with other members of this sub-family. I would advise using a premium bullet (for plainsgame I am very fond of the Swift Scirocco, which I have found to combine excellent weight retention with superb accuracy) and would further suggest that a .270 Win is a sensible minimum caliber for Addax. Regardless of your choice of caliber, bullet placement is far and away the most important factor. No matter what you use, be sure to place the shot where it counts!
We'll check in later and until then, so long!
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