USA: Aoudad Hunt At The Rockin G Ranch

BWH

AH legend
Joined
Aug 5, 2012
Messages
2,977
Reaction score
3,085
Location
Texas
Deals & offers
1
Media
102
Articles
3
Hunting reports
Africa
4
USA/Canada
4
Member of
Ducks Unlimited, SCI, DSC & NRA
Hunted
USA, Mexico, RSA
Howdy y’all,

Now that I’m back home & decompressing from a long weekend, I thought I’d compose my report before reality sets in for me tomorrow with a 7:30am meeting.

Several months ago I booked an Aoudad hunt with @gizmo w/ Rockin G Ranch. This is some what full circle for me as I started hunting these dudes not 10 miles away, almost 20 years ago. As Life would have it..... I never connected. Don’t get me wrong, over the last 20 years, I’ve amassed & accomplished quite a collection and memory bank of hunting trophies..... but not the Aoudad. Opportunity presents itself & I book a hunt with good buddy & AH @gizmo.

We decided on mid October for a few reasons.... Fall coming in, deer season isn’t really upon us, dove season on the wind down, etc..... plus it’s when both of our crazy schedules aligned.

Friday the 13th is here..... I arrive at the Rockin’ G about noon on Friday. No bogeys, except that it is 90+ degrees. About 15 or 20 more than normal. Get greeted by Erik & all the superb staffers (Ranch hand, cook, etc). After getting unpacked, settled, sighted in.... were off for afternoon hunt.

Lots of glassing, climbing, descending, ascending, thorns, miles on the UTVs...... the heat/Mother Nature, did not allow us to connect.

Day 2. Morning temps in 70s, sunny & hot.... temps rising fast. As many animals as I know are on this place.... the heat has them ghosted. I mean how the hell does 2000lb white Scimitar hide, big ass axis with monster horns no show, 400” stag not exist..... plus my quarry the elusive Aoudad..... a no show. We hiked, walked scraped canyons, cedar breaks, mesquite bluffs, etc. occasionally bumping something.... but no opportunity presents with a shooter.

Day 3. Cold blast moves in. Temps drop 50 degrees. Wind goes bipolar.... hard south to hard north. We change our game plan.... we see a lot more game. Monster Axis (lucky bastard), blackbuck, fallow, etc.... no Aoudad. Erik says, “F this, let’s keep moving”. We bump 2 rams.... stalk hard. No luck. We get mobile in his Kawasaki Mule, do some driving. We spot a small ram on a canyon away, about 300m. About that time, we see a larger ram rush up canyon wall to join behind a large grove of cedars & mesquites. We get on a bluff, into position & wait...... and wait & wait. An hour goes past, no movement. Erik says let move a draw/canyon over. So we go stealth mode. Keeping close watch, they don’t see us & don’t move.

Then....... a couple of mule deer (buck & doe), start grazing toward them.... that got them moving. They move out from behind the protection of the wind & their sunning bed. Not 2, not 3, but 4 rams appear. Keep in mind, these damn things make a life of playing hide & seek.

Erik quickly points out the largest of the 4. Boom, pow, drt.... 180 turn, quick nose dive into the cedar break. We got our ram.

In short....

Erik is an awesome dude
Rockin G is an incredible place
Staff is friggin Amazon
You will hunt your ass off
That will keep you from gaining weight from the great food.
Accommodations are great

I highly recommend this outfitter..... Aoudad is not for everyone. So please take that into consideration. However, he has something for everyone & all abilities. Deer, turkey, hogs, quail, dove & like 20 exotic species.

It is not a flat hay meadow. This is rough country. I love it!

IMG_9297.JPG
Image1508200482.845266.jpg
Image1508200508.262095.jpg
Image1508200548.222118.jpg
Image1508200581.771685.jpg
Image1508200595.638489.jpg
IMG_9242.JPG
Image1508200627.879723.jpg
Image1508200657.661845.jpg
IMG_9305.JPG
 

cpr0312

AH ambassador
Joined
Jul 21, 2011
Messages
12,346
Reaction score
26,158
Location
North Carolina
Media
435
Articles
1
Hunting reports
Africa
9
USA/Canada
1
Australia/NZ
1
Member of
NRA Life Member
Hunted
US (All over), New Zealand, South Africa(Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State, Northwest), Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda
Awesome buddy! Congrats on the hunt and connecting on a nice ram!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BWH

Ridgewalker

Lifetime bronze benefactor
AH ambassador
Joined
Aug 8, 2016
Messages
7,782
Reaction score
9,926
Location
Colorado
Media
247
Hunting reports
Africa
3
USA/Canada
4
Hunted
South Africa: Limpopo, Northwest; USA: Ak, Mt, Wy, Co, Ne, Ks, Nv, NM, Tx
Yep Gizmo’s isn’t the flat West Texas piece of land. It’s actually a beautiful place with lots of structure as in hills, washes, creeks, bluffs, long expanses to spot far off game, beautiful!
So did you flush any of his gazillion quail?
Did you use your 30-06 and 168 TTSX?
 

BWH

AH legend
Joined
Aug 5, 2012
Messages
2,977
Reaction score
3,085
Location
Texas
Deals & offers
1
Media
102
Articles
3
Hunting reports
Africa
4
USA/Canada
4
Member of
Ducks Unlimited, SCI, DSC & NRA
Hunted
USA, Mexico, RSA
Yep Gizmo’s isn’t the flat West Texas piece of land. It’s actually a beautiful place with lots of structure as in hills, washes, creeks, bluffs, long expanses to spot far off game, beautiful!
So did you flush any of his gazillion quail?
Did you use your 30-06 and 168 TTSX?

Yes sir.... the 06 w/ 168 TTSX..... flat out lethal. It ain’t fancy. However, that girl has whacked 15+ African species.... Springbok to Eland.

Quail....? Hory Shet yes!!!! I was sighting in my Rifle & the Little phuckers we’re buzzing around me like bees.

At one point I told Erik. “If you had a 20 ga & it was season, I could skillet shoot & limit off the ground.”
 

BWH

AH legend
Joined
Aug 5, 2012
Messages
2,977
Reaction score
3,085
Location
Texas
Deals & offers
1
Media
102
Articles
3
Hunting reports
Africa
4
USA/Canada
4
Member of
Ducks Unlimited, SCI, DSC & NRA
Hunted
USA, Mexico, RSA
BTW.... I would give Erik @gizmo & the Rockin G a 5 Star Review. However, I’m going to have to dock him 4.5 stars for his untimely farting.
 

BWH

AH legend
Joined
Aug 5, 2012
Messages
2,977
Reaction score
3,085
Location
Texas
Deals & offers
1
Media
102
Articles
3
Hunting reports
Africa
4
USA/Canada
4
Member of
Ducks Unlimited, SCI, DSC & NRA
Hunted
USA, Mexico, RSA
Only kidding..... can’t wait to go back. Actually, just waiting to hear back from him when he’ll have me back for 3rd trip.
 

Ridgewalker

Lifetime bronze benefactor
AH ambassador
Joined
Aug 8, 2016
Messages
7,782
Reaction score
9,926
Location
Colorado
Media
247
Hunting reports
Africa
3
USA/Canada
4
Hunted
South Africa: Limpopo, Northwest; USA: Ak, Mt, Wy, Co, Ne, Ks, Nv, NM, Tx
When I was there last January quail hunting with my old doggie, Michel letft scrapped cooked pieces of meat in the fridge for me to wrap my dog’s Trimadal in before our hunts to help with his arthritis. They spoiled him (and me).
Just one of the many little things that make you appreciate Gizmo’s place.
 

BWH

AH legend
Joined
Aug 5, 2012
Messages
2,977
Reaction score
3,085
Location
Texas
Deals & offers
1
Media
102
Articles
3
Hunting reports
Africa
4
USA/Canada
4
Member of
Ducks Unlimited, SCI, DSC & NRA
Hunted
USA, Mexico, RSA
A couple of things I left out..... he’s a precision taxidermist. You would t know by looking at him... lol.... in al seriousness. He brought me back my stud Russian boar & coyote from last December. Beyond pleased. Also, it’s pretty kick ass, to know the artist that will be doing your Taxidermie is the one skinning your animal. I swear the dude was way more meticulous than the average surgeon. He had gloves on & surgical blades... changing regularly.... insisting that we go eat, while he took his time, carefully making cuts. Not your average hunt or skinning. He is an artisan I assure you that. So much so... I was like E, hurry the F up... let’s go. He was like..... buzz off.... I’m busy, go eat without me.
 

ArmyGrunt

AH elite
Joined
Nov 19, 2013
Messages
1,717
Reaction score
2,303
Media
63
Articles
1
Hunting reports
Africa
1
USA/Canada
2
Europe
1
Hunted
USA, South Africa, Hungary
I'm glad you and the ram both smiled for the photos. Good sport, that critter!

Great job with the story.



Erik has my alligator from the trip I took with the kids in May. I'm anxious to see how it starts developing. I gave him the go to post a thread about it if he wants
 

gizmo

Sponsor
Since 2015
AH ambassador
Reviews
2
Joined
Jun 26, 2014
Messages
7,411
Reaction score
12,597
Location
Texas
Website
www.rockinggranch.com
Deals & offers
94
Media
1,782
Articles
6
Hunting reports
Africa
6
USA/Canada
8
Europe
1
Member of
NRA, DSC, SCI, Exotic Wildlife Association, Texas Taxidermy Association Life Member, National Taxidermy Association, TTHA,DUCKS UNLIMITED
Hunted
Namibia-Khomas Highlands, Romania, South Africa- Kalahari , Eastern Cape, USA, Fished Brazil, Mexico, USA
Brad thanks bro, I enjoyed the hell out of hunting with you as always. My feet are still sore as crap from all the climbing but it was absolutely a blast. Ended with an absolutely epic stalk!
FYI I wish you could have stayed, since I'm still here anyway I took the ol crossbow out and stuck a bolt through a boar hog with the broad heads you brought me. It was a bad day to be a pig on the turnip patch today. :LOL:
 

BWH

AH legend
Joined
Aug 5, 2012
Messages
2,977
Reaction score
3,085
Location
Texas
Deals & offers
1
Media
102
Articles
3
Hunting reports
Africa
4
USA/Canada
4
Member of
Ducks Unlimited, SCI, DSC & NRA
Hunted
USA, Mexico, RSA
Hopefully not only the montec broadheads did deed..... maybe the Rum
Hit spot too!!!!
 

BWH

AH legend
Joined
Aug 5, 2012
Messages
2,977
Reaction score
3,085
Location
Texas
Deals & offers
1
Media
102
Articles
3
Hunting reports
Africa
4
USA/Canada
4
Member of
Ducks Unlimited, SCI, DSC & NRA
Hunted
USA, Mexico, RSA
Please keep in mind my dudes.... this hunt is not to distract from an Africa experience. It’s actually to give someone an opportunity, option or in addition to.

Nonetheless, you’ll be shining like a diamond in a goats ass! Grinning ear to ear!

Call or pm if want deets!
 

lwaters

AH legend
Joined
May 20, 2011
Messages
2,355
Reaction score
3,221
Location
Manhattan Kansas
Media
117
Articles
1
Hunting reports
Africa
4
USA/Canada
1
Australia/NZ
1
Member of
SCI
Hunted
Texas,Namibia,Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, South Africa, New Zealand
Sounds like a great place and a good hunt nice sheep. Those aoudad sure can blend in with that red dirt.
 

Royal27

AH ambassador
Joined
May 27, 2012
Messages
9,687
Reaction score
14,316
Media
109
Articles
5
Hunting reports
Africa
6
Member of
DSC, NRA, SCI
Hunted
USA - TX, CO, GA, ID. Africa - Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa (Limpopo and EC)
Awesome Brad! Congrats.

I recognize a few of those canyons. It's a beautiful place and sure as hell ain't flat!
 

gizmo

Sponsor
Since 2015
AH ambassador
Reviews
2
Joined
Jun 26, 2014
Messages
7,411
Reaction score
12,597
Location
Texas
Website
www.rockinggranch.com
Deals & offers
94
Media
1,782
Articles
6
Hunting reports
Africa
6
USA/Canada
8
Europe
1
Member of
NRA, DSC, SCI, Exotic Wildlife Association, Texas Taxidermy Association Life Member, National Taxidermy Association, TTHA,DUCKS UNLIMITED
Hunted
Namibia-Khomas Highlands, Romania, South Africa- Kalahari , Eastern Cape, USA, Fished Brazil, Mexico, USA
Hopefully not only the montec broadheads did deed..... maybe the Rum
Hit spot too!!!!
Absolutely, as a matter of fact I am enjoying a delicious rum drink at the moment. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: BWH

CAustin

AH ambassador
Joined
May 7, 2013
Messages
15,460
Reaction score
14,702
Media
277
Hunting reports
Africa
9
Member of
Courtney Hunting Club, NRA Life Member, SCI Kansas City Chapter
Hunted
Zimbabwe,Namibia, South Africa, KwaZulu Natal, Kalahari, Northwest, Limpopo, Gauteng, APNR Kruger Area. USA Georgia, South Carolina, Arkansas, New Mexico, North Carolina and Texas
Congrats on your hunt!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BWH

Whiskey1

AH veteran
Joined
Jul 2, 2017
Messages
150
Reaction score
210
Location
United States
Media
25
Hunting reports
USA/Canada
1
Hunted
South Africa, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Virginia, Texas, Wyoming, Maine
Ok. Gizmo's earlier report put Romania on my list- originally for bear but their libs have screwed that up- and now this report has put the Rockin' G on the list. I love this forum but you guys are tryin' to bankrupt a poor lawdawg.
 

Britt Beck

AH enthusiast
Joined
Feb 21, 2017
Messages
287
Reaction score
161
Location
Colorado
Member of
SCI. NRA. RMEF.
Hunted
USA CO OK NEB KS
Congrats and thanks for sharing your story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
 

siml

AH legend
Joined
Nov 26, 2013
Messages
3,436
Reaction score
4,920
Deals & offers
30
Media
143
Articles
3
Hunting reports
Africa
1
Hunted
SOUTH AFRICA, BOTSWANA, NAMIBIA, ZIMBABWE, MOZAMBIQUE, ENGLAND, U.S.A
Looks like Gizmo keeps living up to his great reputation. Congrats on your wonderful trophy.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
47,763
Messages
977,169
Members
81,275
Latest member
3arend
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

Planning is coming together! Just waiting to hear back from a couple outfitters to see what their availability is for this year, if any, and I'll be booking my first African hunt. Fingers crossed I can get one slotted for late August/first couple weeks of September.
rgsiii wrote on Andrew Short's profile.
Hi, I was wondering where you lived. I am near Auburn. Are the loaded Norma AFrames factory ammunition? Thanks, Richard
Sue Tidwell wrote on James Stewart's profile.
Hi James, congratulations on winning a copy of Cries of the Savanna! I appreciate your interest in the book and hope you enjoy it.

I am leaving in an hour for the airport to meet up with my husband for a week so I will mail it as soon as I get home. I am sorry about the poor timing and making you wait.

Anyway, send me your address and I will get it in the mail as soon as I can.

Thanks again for entering!

Sue
Sue Tidwell wrote on Ggross's profile.
Congratulations on winning a copy of Cries of the Savanna! I appreciate your interest in the book and hope you enjoy it.

I am leaving in an hour for the airport to meet up with my husband for a week so I will mail it as soon as I get home. I am sorry about the poor timing and making you wait a week. I apologize.

Anyway, send me your address and I will get it in the mail as soon as I can.

Sue
Gluff wrote on ConserveWhatsGood's profile.
I have already booked, but yes I would like to know for sure for future use
 
Top