I’m Roberto Cameron—South Texas outdoorsman, mechanic, and entrepreneur who lives for the moments that make your heart race and your soul hum. Hunting’s in my blood, and nothing beats the raw thrill of stalking game through mesquite-choked brush under a scorching RGV sun. In December 2022, I had my most memorable hunt—a Nilgai adventure on a wild South Texas ranch that tested every ounce of my skill, patience, and nerve. What started as a canceled Arkansas trip turned into an epic showdown with an 800-pound bull Nilgai, taken down with a perfect neck shot from my .338 Remington Magnum. This is the story of that hunt, a testament to why I chase experiences over things, and a reminder that the wild always has a way of humbling you.
A Change of Plans: From Arkansas to South Texas
Back in December 2022, I had my bags packed for a deer hunting trip to Arkansas’ Ozarks. I can’t recall exactly what derailed it—maybe a scheduling snag or a last-minute hiccup—but the trip got pushed back a few days. Around that time, I was working at my shop, RGV ATV Repairs, fixing an ATV for a customer named Mario Garcia. We got to talking about hunting, as gearheads often do. I mentioned my Arkansas plans, and Mario, with a sly grin, said, “Why go all the way up there? We got plenty of game right here in Texas.” I laughed it off with a quip, but he wasn’t joking. “Come hunt my ranch,” he said. “You won’t be disappointed.” A few days later, with Arkansas slipping away, I called Mario and took him up on the offer. Canceling a trip stings, but what came next was worth it—a hunt that’s burned into my memory.
The Ranch: A Wildlife Eden
Mario’s ranch, a sprawling 3,000 acres in the heart of South Texas, was a hunter’s paradise. Half a mile of it backed up to the National Wildlife Refuge, a haven teeming with deer, hogs, and Nilgai. Just a few miles away loomed the legendary King Ranch fence line, a name that carries weight in these parts. Mario had just acquired the place, so it was untamed—thick with mesquite, cactus, and thorny brush, the kind of terrain where rattlesnakes lurk and only the stealthy thrive. There weren’t many blinds set up, just raw, wild land. Mario’s advice was simple: “Be quiet. Game moves through here all the time, but don’t shoot the first thing you see—unless it’s something big.” His words stuck with me as I grabbed my .338 Remington Magnum in an FN Model 98 action—a gorgeous rifle with a hexagonal barrel and walnut stock, paired with a Leupold scope. This was the tool for the job.
Setting the Stage: A Makeshift Blind
Since Mario’s ranch was light on blinds, I brought a folding aluminum tripod stand, a 12-foot rig my cousin Chuyito had crafted for himself. Somehow, I’d ended up with it, and it was perfect for this hunt—light, sturdy, and quick to set up. Mario dropped me off in the heart of the ranch, a few hundred yards from the Wildlife Refuge fence line. “This is the spot,” he said. “Animals move through here like a highway, but they’re stealthy. Stay alert, stay silent.” I climbed onto the tripod, propped my rifle, and settled in. It was late in the day, around 2 or 3 p.m.—I’d gotten a late start, and the South Texas sun was brutal, baking my scalp. The wind howled, whipping dust and rattling the mesquites. It was the kind of day that tests your focus, but I was ready.
The Encounter: A Shadow in the Brush
Maybe 20 or 30 minutes after setting up, I caught movement at my 12 o’clock. The brush rustled, like footsteps crunching through the caliche. My brain screamed, “Someone’s walking!” but I knew better—this was game. A dark, shadowy shape moved behind the thick mesquites, too big for a deer, too deliberate for a hog. My heart kicked into gear, but I stayed still, easing my .338 Remington Magnum to my cheek. I peered through the Leupold scope, focusing on the spot where the shadow flickered. As it shifted to my 11 o’clock, then my 10 o’clock, the shape emerged at 90 yards—a monster Nilgai bull, jet-black and massive, staring right at me. Those eyes, sharp as a hawk’s, locked onto me like he knew I didn’t belong. Nilgai have uncanny eyesight, and this one had me pegged.
The Shot: Heart Racing, Trigger Steady
Hunters know the feeling—the shakes. Your pulse pounds in your ears, your hands tremble, and a dozen thoughts race through your head: “Don’t miss. Don’t rush. Make it count.” I was lucky; the bull stepped into a clearing, and my scope was already zeroed on his neck. Mario’s warning from years past echoed: “Neck shot, or he’ll run into the brush.” Nilgai are tanks, with hides and bones that can shrug off lesser rounds. The .338 Remington Magnum, with its bone-crushing power, was made for this. I took a deep breath, feeling the wind sting my face, and steadied my aim. The crosshairs sat perfect on his neck. Slowly, I squeezed the trigger. The rifle roared, and the shot hit true—a clean neck shot at 90 yards. The bull stood for a moment, wobbled, then his hindquarters dropped. Seconds later, he was down, a mountain of muscle and horn in the South Texas dirt.
The Aftermath: A Beast Too Big to Move
Everything after the shot was a blur—adrenaline does that. I climbed down from the tripod, legs shaky, and made my way to the bull. Up close, he was even bigger than I’d thought—well over 800 pounds, with 8-inch antlers that marked him as a trophy. This wasn’t just a Nilgai; it was a giant, the kind you dream of. Mario and a few hands showed up, and we stood there, half-laughing, half-awestruck. Four grown men couldn’t budge him. It took a winch and a truck to haul him out, his bulk filling the bed like a small car. Back at the ranch, we swapped stories over cold drinks, the South Texas sunset painting the sky. Mario just grinned and said, “Told you it’d be worth it.” He wasn’t wrong.
Why This Hunt Stands Out
That Nilgai hunt wasn’t just about the trophy—though an 800-pound bull with 8-inch antlers is nothing to sneeze at. It was the whole experience: the last-minute change from Arkansas, the chance connection with Mario, the wild beauty of a ranch untouched by time. The South Texas wind, the searing sun, the rattle of mesquites—it all tested me. The Nilgai’s stare, those heart-pounding seconds before the shot, reminded me why I hunt: for the moments that strip you down to instinct and reward you with stories that last a lifetime. My .338 Remington Magnum, a work of art in wood and steel, was the tool that made it happen, proving its worth in the field. This wasn’t a hunt; it was a battle, and I walked away richer for it.
Tips for Nilgai Hunting in the RGV
If you’re chasing Nilgai in South Texas, here’s what I’ve learned:
- Shot Placement is Everything: Aim for the neck or high heart. Nilgai’s thick hides and bones can deflect shoulder shots, sending them crashing into brush where tracking’s a nightmare.
- Use a Heavy Caliber: A .338 Remington Magnum, .338 Lapua, or similar packs the punch needed for clean kills. Lighter rounds like .30-06 work with perfect placement, but don’t risk it.
- Stay Stealthy: Nilgai have eagle-like eyesight and spook easy. Move slow, stay low, and hunt from a blind or stand.
- Prep for the Haul: A big bull can top 800 pounds. Bring a winch, a strong truck, and extra hands—four guys won’t cut it alone.
- Respect the Land: South Texas is rattlesnake country, and thorny brush hides more than game. Wear boots, watch your step, and leave the land as you found it.
The Verdict: A Hunt for the Ages
That December 2022 Nilgai hunt remains my most memorable—a South Texas adventure that tested my skill, steadied my nerve, and rewarded me with a trophy bull and a story I’ll tell for years. From canceling Arkansas to meeting Mario Garcia, from the wild ranch to the heart-stopping shot, it was a reminder of why I live for experiences, not things. The .338 Remington Magnum FN Model 98, with its Leupold scope, was my partner in the field, turning a fleeting moment into a triumph. South Texas, with its unforgiving heat and untamed beauty, proved once again why it’s a hunter’s paradise. Follow my adventures on YouTube, TikTok, and Skreebee for more hunting tales, gear talk, and RGV grit. Got a hunt that tops this? Drop me a line—I’m all ears.