West Texas Hunting Outfitter Review
The West Texas Hunt Organization (W.T.H.O) is a dedicated and trustworthy outfitter committed to delivering memorable and successful hunting experiences. Their team is down-to-earth and shares the same passion for the outdoors as their guests; enjoying time around the campfire, trading stories, and building lasting friendships. They specialize in free-range, fair chase hunts throughout West Texas and the Big Bend area, while also offering preserve hunt options. With opportunities for year-round hunting, W.T.H.O partners with several top-tier Texas hunting ranches and outfitters, providing exceptional experiences for both big and small game hunters alike. They operate exclusively on their primary ranches and outfitter properties, which span approximately one million acres; and that number continues to grow still.
West Texas Aoudad Hunting
West Texas Aoudad Hunting Trips with W.T.H.O take place across rugged mountain terrain in West Texas, including areas along the Devils River, which offer slightly easier landscapes. These hunts focus on mature, trophy-quality rams and are conducted with minimal hunting pressure to maintain high success rates and trophy standards.
Packages vary by ranch and outfitter depending on hunt duration, inclusions, and operational costs. Most hunts span 3 to 5 days and are fair chase, free-range experiences, with trophy aoudad rams typically ranging from 29" to 32" and some exceeding 36". Hunting licenses are sold over the counter: nonresidents need a Type 157 five-day hunting license, while residents need a Type 101 hunting license.
Aoudad hunting trips are available from early September through late March or early April, with the aoudad rut peaking between mid-September and late October. W.T.H.O can accommodate parties of up to six hunters, and success rates on guided and semi-guided aoudad hunts are exceptionally high, averaging a 95% to 98% harvest success rate per season.
Primary aoudad hunting methods include spot-and-stalk techniques that require hiking and glassing, though some hunting ranches offer easier access for those needing milder conditions. W.T.H.O recommends booking aoudad hunting trips 10 to 12 months in advance. Ewe hunts are also available during spring and summer, but ram hunts are paused during that time to allow ranches to rest.
West Texas Exotic Hunts
West Texas Hunt Organization (W.T.H.O) offers a variety of West Texas exotic hunts, including Axis Deer, Blackbuck Antelope, Addax, Sika, Mouflon, Ibex, Fallow Deer (in all three-color phases), Rams, Pere David, and more. Customizable combo hunt packages are offered to meet individual or group needs, and group discounts are available. For larger groups, additional hunting days may be included at no extra cost to help ensure success. Hogs and predators encountered during your hunt can typically be taken free of charge.
These exotic hunts take place on well-managed properties with established herds, where the focus is on trophy quality and mature animals. Some species can also be hunted in combination during the same trip.
-
Axis Deer Hunts are conducted on low-pressure, managed properties and aim for trophy axis bucks in the 30" to 36"+ range. Hunts may involve blinds over food plots, feeders, water sources, spot-and-stalk, or safari-style methods. Groups of 1 to 5 hunters or more can be accommodated depending on availability. Axis doe hunts may also be offered if the herd allows.
-
Blackbuck Antelope hunts are available year-round. Dominant bucks have darker coats in fall and winter. Hunts take place on both low and high fence properties.
-
Fallow Deer Hunts are limited to just 2 to 3 hunts per year to preserve quality. All three-color phases, chocolate, spotted, and white, are available. Most fallow deer hunts occur in high fence environments, with occasional low fence options depending on herd size. These hunts are typically done safari-style, with archery also possible from blinds. Velvet fallow bucks are best pursued in late summer, and hard-horned bucks in early fall.
-
Scimitar-Horned Oryx can be hunted throughout the year on both high and low fence ranches. W.T.H.O offers hunts for bulls, cows, and broken-horned oryx. Cows tend to have longer horns, while bulls have greater mass. Oryx are also known for their excellent meat quality.
Elk Hunting in West Texas
W.T.H.O offers free-range elk hunting trips in West Texas, primarily on properties around Van Horn and occasionally near Ft. Stockton. These elk are wild free-ranging herds, some naturally migrating from New Mexico and others reintroduced over 50 years ago. Hunting trips take place across large irrigated fields, brush country, and near water sources where elk are known to feed and bed.
Hunters have no antler restrictions and may choose any bull they wish to harvest. Herd sizes typically range from 5 to over 25 animals, and a limited number of cow elk hunts are offered each year for herd management.
Because elk are classified as exotics in Texas, no draw tag is required. Both residents and non-residents can hunt with an over-the-counter license, a general license for residents or a 5-day Type 157 license for non-residents.
W.T.H.O only offers a limited number of elk hunting trips each year, and they often book up 1 to 2 years in advance. Hunts begin in August for bulls in velvet, they then continue into September during the rut and may extend into winter depending on availability.
Elk hunting is conducted either from blinds or safari-style driving or spot and stalking. The terrain is flat with good road access, making these hunts suitable for hunters of any physical ability. Typical shooting distances are 300 to 400 yards, so a .270 caliber rifle or larger is recommended, with .30 caliber preferred. Archery and handgun hunters can also be accommodated with setups near waterholes or field edges for closer shots.
.jpg)
