Types

• The Texas Wildlife Department considers water buffalo to be livestock, as an exotic animal brought in to Texas. There is no license required and basically no rules governing the hunting of water buffalo in the state as far as season or bag limit.
  
  

Geography

• Most water buffalo here are descendants of the Asiatic water buffalo and were introduced in Texas as big-game hunting rose in popularity in south Texas. Most of the animals are on private ranches, and that is where they are hunted. It would be rare to see one on a public hunting area.
  
  

Size

• Adult male water and female buffalo in Texas can weigh 1,500 and 1,000 pounds, respectively. Their Asian counterparts, also in South Africa, can weigh up to 2,500 pounds. The water buffalo in the United States are primarily in South Texas and Florida.
  
  

Guides

• Water buffalo are animals that have been introduced and kept in south Texas. They are on private ranches; as a result, you have to have a guide or outfitter to take you on a hunt. The guides show you where the animals are and put you in the best position to make a kill. Transportation, meals and lodging are included.
  
  

Methods

• There are several methods of hunting water buffalo. The animal is big and fast and can be dangerous. The safest way is to hunt from a blind and wait for the animal to walk by. Stalking with guns, or archery, is another method that gets you closer to the animal but poses a greater danger.
  
  

Fun Fact

• The water buffalo is related to the South African water buffalo but not to the American buffalo. The American buffalo is a bison--not a buffalo.