Aoudad Sheep Hunting
Television celebrity Bob Foulkrod with free range aoudad taken in January of 2008. These North African sheep are challenging game animals.
Texas is home to more aoudad sheep, or what some people refer to as Barbary
sheep, than their native North Africa. Aoudad Sheep are exceptionally sporty
animals, combining wary nature with tough physical hardiness likened to a Cape
buffalo. If you are truly interested in a great, challenging and rewarding
experience, our free-range Texas aoudad sheep hunting may be your ticket.
More About Aoudad Sheep Hunting
Aoudad Sheep were originally released into the Texas wilds in the
1950’s. Releases took place in the Northwestern Panhandle region, as well as the
Trans-Pecos of far West Texas. Technically, they are not considered a pure sheep
but actually have morphological and biological features of both a sheep and a
goat. Mature Aoudad males will have a live weight of up to 275 pounds, and both
Aoudad males and females grow horns, but male’s horns grow considerably larger.
A respectable free range aoudad trophy sheep will sport horns in excess of 27”,
and anything over 30” is considered exceptionally good. Aoudads have a unique
pelage characterized by a solid color throughout their body which is sandy color
and blends exceptionally well with their environment. Additionally, they have a
striking long beard which runs from their throat all the way down to their
chest, and they also sport long hair as chaps on their front legs, thus they
make impressive life-size or half-size mounts. Due to their wary and hardy
characteristics, free range Texas aoudad sheep hunting offers a challenging hunt
for a tuff animal.
Location of Our Free Range Aoudad Sheep Hunting
We have access to three
properties in Texas’ Trans Pecos. One property is in excess of 175,000 acres
located at the base of the Glass Mountains, near Marathon. This is a very
diverse property, and we also conduct hunts for desert mule deer hunting,
pronghorn antelope hunting, and elk here. Facilities are modest. The second property
we conduct aoudad sheep hunts is approximately 40,000 acres located on the north
side of the Davis Mountains near the small community of Kent. This property has
never been commercially hunted until now, and it is one of the few free range
aoudad sheep hunts in West Texas that can comfortably cater to low mobility
hunters. Facilities here are very nice as well, and hunters stay in a house with
ranch manager and wife, and they will serve as the host for great aoudad sheep
hunts. Our third property is well over 200,000 acres located south of Alpine.
A modest house is available on this property.
What is Furnished on Our Free Range Aoudad Sheep Hunts?
Aoudad Sheep
hunts are normally set up as a 1x1 guided hunt. Hunt package includes 3 hunting
days, 4 nights lodging, meals, as well as skinning/caping/quartering of animal.
Airport shuttle is not provided on this hunt. Plan on scheduling flights into
Midland where you can rent a vehicle. It is a 2 hour drive from Midland to one
property and 2.5 hours to the other property. We will secure your aoudad sheep
hunting license for you prior to hunting and your nonresident fee is $48.00.
Time of Aoudad Sheep Hunts
Though aoudad sheep hunting can be conducted
year-around, most of our aoudad hunts take place in January, February, March,
late April, September & October. If you are fond of warm weather, you can also
effectively hunt aoudads during the summer. The quality of their hides are the
same throughout the year which gives you a great deal of flexibility on when you
can schedule your aoudad sheep hunting trip.
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