South Texas Hunting — On the Ranch That Wrote the Book
At the Center of the Brush Country
South Texas is one of the premier hunting destinations in North America, and Kingsville sits at its center. The brush country surrounding the city — dense mesquite, prickly pear, and native thornscrub stretching across millions of acres of private ranchland — produces some of the largest white-tailed deer in the country and is home to a roster of species that draws serious hunters from across the continent. At the heart of it all is King Ranch: 825,000 acres of low-fence, fair-chase hunting in the landscape that defines South Texas.
King Ranch Hunting
There is no hunting experience in Texas quite like King Ranch.
King Ranch has been managing wildlife and conducting guided hunts on its Norias Division for decades. The operation runs as a serious, sustainable hunting program — harvest quotas are set and enforced, access is tightly controlled, and every hunter goes out with a professional guide who knows the land. The result is a genuinely high-quality experience on one of the most historically significant pieces of ground in the American West.
Hunts are conducted in a free-range, low-fence, fair-chase environment across habitats ranging from open coastal prairie to massive live oak mottes to thousands of acres of mixed brush. Most guides pair a maximum of two hunters together, keeping the experience personal.
What You Can Hunt
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White-Tailed Deer
King Ranch offers management-level deer hunts across several B&C tiers, for both rifle and archery hunters. Due to limited bookings per pasture and strictly enforced quotas, the likelihood of encountering appropriate bucks is high. Both day hunts and multi-day package hunts are available. Youth hunters are welcome.
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Nilgai Antelope
Nilgai are King Ranch's signature species — and one of the most unusual hunting opportunities in North America. King Ranch first acquired nilgai brood stock from the San Diego Zoo in the late 1920s; today the Norias Division holds over 18,000 animals. Bulls can top 600 lbs. Nilgai have exceptional eyesight, hearing, and smell, making them a genuinely challenging pursuit. Hunts can be customized for still hunting, stalking, or safari-style depending on conditions. Archery nilgai hunts are also available on over 35,000 dedicated acres.
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Rio Grande Turkey
Package turkey hunts are available in season with two birds included.
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Dove
Dove hunting can be added to package hunts when in season.
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Predator (Coyote & Feral Hog)
Day predator hunts are available, with unlimited coyotes and feral hogs. Two hunters required.
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Custom Packages
King Ranch can build custom multi-day packages combining nilgai, deer, turkey, dove, and saltwater bay fishing on Baffin Bay.
Hunt Formats & Pricing
Harvest fees apply separately to nilgai day hunts. Prices are current as of 2025 — contact King Ranch for current availability and rates.
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Day Hunts
Hunter arranges own lodging in Kingsville; guide meets you at the ranch gate.
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Package Hunts
Include two nights lodging on King Ranch. Full kitchen facilities provided; meals available for an additional fee.
Book a Hunt
Many hunts — particularly deer season — book a year or more in advance. Cancellation slots do open; contact King Ranch directly to ask about availability.
Book a Hunt(361) 221-0350 · KRWildlife@king-ranch.com · View all hunt types & rates →
South Texas Game Species
The brush country around Kingsville supports a range of species that make it one of the most diverse hunting regions in the state:
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White-tailed Deer
South Texas is renowned for producing trophy-class bucks. The combination of native brush, mild winters, and generations of selective management on private ranches creates conditions for exceptional antler growth.
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Nilgai Antelope
Introduced to South Texas ranches in the 1930s, nilgai are now fully established across the coastal plain. A large bull can reach 600 lbs., with a lean, mild-flavored meat that many hunters prize for the table.
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Rio Grande Turkey
A native South Texas species, present year-round on ranch country throughout the region.
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Bobwhite Quail
Once the defining bird of South Texas hunting culture, bobwhite quail remain present in the brush country, though populations have declined in recent decades. King Ranch conducts active quail management; guided quail hunting can be arranged through their custom package program.
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Dove
Mourning dove and white-winged dove are abundant in South Texas, with some of the most productive dove fields in the state found on private ranchland around Kingsville. Dove season opens in early September.
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Javelina
Common throughout the brush country. No closed season or bag limit on private land; often taken opportunistically during deer and nilgai hunts.
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Feral Hog
Present year-round with no closed season or bag limit on private land. Frequently included as part of predator control hunts.
Hunting Licenses & Regulations
A valid Texas Hunting License is required for all hunters. Additional licenses or endorsements may be required depending on species — check current TPWD regulations before your hunt.
Deer season dates and bag limits vary by zone. Kleberg County falls in the South Texas Plains region — confirm current season dates and antler restrictions at tpwd.texas.gov before your trip.
Plan Your Hunt
Most hunters based out of Kingsville for day hunts on King Ranch stay in town and meet their guide at the ranch gate early in the morning. Kingsville offers several lodging options within a short drive of the Norias Division entrance. See our Stay page → for options.
For supplies, bait, and ethanol-free fuel before heading out, Brown's Convenience Store near Riviera Beach is a reliable stop on the way to the southern portions of King Ranch.
Kingsville Visitors Center · 📍 1501 N. Highway 77 · 📞 (361) 592-8516
All hunters must comply with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department regulations. Bag limits, season dates, and license requirements vary by species. Visit tpwd.texas.gov for current rules.