Looking for free range Aoudad in West TX

[Green Chile]

I really enjoyed my aoudad hunt with Stephen West. I wrote a report on it here....

Thread 'USA: Aoudad Hunt On The Mexico Border'

Sep 18, 2024

A few years ago, I started feeling like a mortal man…recovery times were slower…aches were more noticeable….hills seemed taller…ack, I’m getting older! As I thought about that and how I wanted to do a lot more hunting, I read some articles on aoudad hunting. Some articles, in particular by Boddington, caught my attention. He was writing about how it’s the cheapest entry point to sheep hunting and a good warm-up for other mountain hunts. The hills in south Texas aren’t high in altitude but they are rugged and test the spirit. I called a hunting friend and said let’s go chase some...

• Green Chile
• Replies: 55
• Forum: Hunting reports USA & Canada

• 

The outfitters have changed around a lot in the last few years. Be sure to check references and make sure the info is current.

 

[Sabre]

The recent pricing on Aoudad hunts bums me out.

 

[wyosteve]

There are some units in eastern/central New Mexico where you can get an over the counter tag and DIY. Tough hunt from what I hear though.

 

[Green Chile]

Prices have climbed a lot in the last 5 years. There were articles written by experienced sheep hunters that said it really is the poor man's sheep hunt. As the sheep hunts get more expensive, it pulls up the aoudad pricing too. We paid around 5500 before Covid. Now a good guide is around $7500...always some exceptions but that's the going rate with guides I would hunt with.

 

[Mike B.]

I have hunted with Mike at West Texas twice now for axis deer, and last year I did blackbuck and aoudad. I will be hunting axis deer with him again next year. He does do semi guided and fully guided hunts. I wouldn't hesitate to book with him but I know his aoudad stuff gets booked out pretty quickly.

 

[Doubleplay]

Who was this first hunt with and what caused it to be a bust? Thanks

Very well known outfitter in TX.

The hunt was a bust because we were two seperate hunters(1/1) at the camp and no one got into a position to shoot and we saw very very few animals.

I know it's hunting and weather might have played a role but left me with a lot of question marks hence their claims before the hunt...

 

[coreydb]

I hunted Aoudad at 777 Ranch in Hondo TX with great success. Their 2025 Aoudad price range for a trophy over 32" is $5500.

 

[Muskox]

I hunted Aoudad at 777 Ranch in Hondo TX with great success. Their 2025 Aoudad price range for a trophy over 32" is $5500.

Not the same experience, but I shot my Davis Mountains aoudad on the lowest part of the ranch on the flats. I was on the top of the mountain and they were gathered round a spring to drink. After killing myself for 3 days.

The price is good, and will most likely do that next.

 

[dchum]

I hunted Aoudad at 777 Ranch in Hondo TX with great success. Their 2025 Aoudad price range for a trophy over 32" is $5500

He asked for a free range hunt.

 

[Wyfox]

+1 for Mellon Creek, I'll be hunting whitetails with them next year.