Is there any introduced species that would be a step back in time hunt with trad. ML?

[Sparkitoff]

There are a lot of introduced species in North America. Sticking to big game, there are about 77 species. Some of the more common ones were "imported" in the 1600's - 1800's (any many others much later). Is there a stand-out species that could have been legitimately hunted during the predominant black powder era? 200+ years seems like enough time for a population of something to establish and be hunted. Sure, you could use a long-rifle to hunt any of these today, and in the native Countries they were likely hunted with ML at one time. Is there one or more that would have been hunted back then in the US?

 

[andy52]

There are pretty strict laws that address introduced species. Most if not all would be confined on private reserves and you'd have to pay to play. There are a good number of those places in Texas I'm pretty sure.

 

[George]

The Pennsylvania Gazette
October 21, 1731
PHILADELPHIA, Octob. 7.
We hear from Hopewell in the Jerseys, that on the 4th past, two Bucks were observed fighting near the new Meeting House there; one of them extraordinary large, supposed to be a Roe buck; the other small and of the common sort. In company with them was a black Doe, who stood by to see the Engagement. The small Buck proved a full match for the great one, giving him many violent Punches in the Ribs, but in the height of the Battle, they fastened their Horns so strongly together, that they were not able with all their Strength to disengage; and in that condition they were taken. The Doe retreated into the Woods, but being pursued with several Beagle Hounds, she was take also alive, and they have put her and the large Buck into a boarded Pasture together, in hopes to have a Breed, if the Sizes are not too unsuitable. This is the second Brace of Bucks that have been caught by the Horns this Fall.

Spence

 

[forty_caliber]

Plenty of exotic hunts here in Texas. Better have a pocket full of money. $5500 for a bison.

I went bow hunting on one of these ranches after Sitka deer. I could afford to shoot a doe for a mere $500 but I sat in the tree stand all day watching $2500 bucks walk by. Made my bowstring itchy.

https://www.huntsintexas.com/bison-hunts-in-texas/
.40

 

[MIOutdoorsman]

I think the OP is interested in exotic import game that may have been available "back in the day," not currently. It's an interesting question, as I have lived in TX previously (thus my online name), and I have hunted exotics once, but not with a ML. I hunted on some old property that used to be high-fence decades ago, but the fences were removed and the game allowed to live freely. In other words--cheap hunt with poor success rates. Three guys including myself were there for a long weekend, and ultimately I did take a medium size Axis buck, but non others were successful. The fur on the accoutrements bag that is my avatar picture is from that Axis buck.

I assumed that these imports were all of recent times.

 

[Sparkitoff]

TXFlynHog is correct. I am trying to figure out if a certain specie(s) was actually hunted by settlers, pioneers, explorers, mountain-men, gold prospectors, pilgrims....

They hunted "native" N. American game. At some point these "exotics" were introduced and huntable. What species and when?

 

[MIOutdoorsman]

TXFlynHog is correct. I am trying to figure out if a certain specie(s) was actually hunted by settlers, pioneers, explorers, mountain-men, gold prospectors, pilgrims....

They hunted "native" N. American game. At some point these "exotics" were introduced and huntable. What species and when?

I hope someone chimes in that Axis buck were introduced back then, as my accoutrements bag would indeed be a rare specimen, but technically PC!!

 

[Sparkitoff]

Axis deer were introduced in Hawaii in the 1860's, so while the area did not have Statehood, they may have been hunted with muzzleloaders then!

 

[R.J.Bruce]

Hogs were an intoduced species, not native to North America, with the exception of the javelina in the Southwest. Can't remember when Russian boars were let loose in the South.

Wild cattle. The Apache were fond of horse meat, aka wild ponies. Neither species native.

 

[Patocazador]

Hogs were introduced in the 1500's by DeSoto after he landed in the Tampa, FL area. The Spaniards were responsible for most of the feral hogs in the SE united States today.

 

[kje54]

 

[hanshi]

Kje54, those are indigenous to NA.

Let's see, pheasant, hogs and more. But don't forget the smaller pest species; Florida has a million of them. I use to litter the ground with dead starlings.

 

[kje54]

Kje54, those are indigenous to NA.

Let's see, pheasant, hogs and more. But don't forget the smaller pest species; Florida has a million of them. I use to litter the ground with dead starlings.

Details, details.....

 

[vintovka]

I miss wild pheasant hunting with my Pedersoli double. Wild pheasants disappeared about 15 years ago allegedly due to farming and herbicide practices in Calif rice fields.

 

[SOLANCO]

How about an introduced species with a native weapon? Say.....hogs with a lance or spear?

 

[SOLANCO]

I miss wild pheasant hunting with my Pedersoli double. Wild pheasants disappeared about 15 years ago allegedly due to farming and herbicide practices in Calif rice fields.

SE PA here. Wild pheasants virtually disappeared from here decades ago. Weirdly, it was overnight. One season you had birds. The next season your best dog could not find one. And still when you think you saw one, you don't know if it's a renegade farmed bird.

 

[Daryl Crawford]

Hogs and pheasant are the only 2 I can think of. I've enjoyed pheasant hunts with my fowling piece. I haven't hunted hogs with one...yet.

 

[Daryl Crawford]

SE PA here. Wild pheasants virtually disappeared from here decades ago. Weirdly, it was overnight. One season you had birds. The next season your best dog could not find one. And still when you think you saw one, you don't know if it's a renegade farmed bird.

I remember those good days. The 80s were good. Early 90s were ok, then gone! I live in excellent habitat and we've tried to establish breeding population but with no success.

 

[sawyer04]

pheasants disappeared and feral cats appeared about the same time.

 

[Irish lad]

Nilgai in Texas?
Irish