Aoudad
Sheep, also known as Barbary Sheep, were introduced into the desert mountains of
west Texas and southern New Mexico from their native habitat in the Atlas
Mountains of northern Africa during the 1940’s. Aoudads have flourished as
a free-ranging, wild sheep ever since.
These hearty, desert sheep are well-adapted to the rough, desert mountains of the southwest and are an elusive trophy to hunt. These sheep are free-ranging and occupy a large home range due to their nomadic nature. Aoudads have the ability to obtain water from dew and the sparse vegetation of the desert which greatly expands their range due to their independence on surface water.
Aoudad sheep are one of the most challenging species of big game to hunt. They seem to thrive in the roughest country they can find and possess an extraordinary sixth sense at detecting danger.The Aoudad sheep is truly the best-kept secret in North America. What else can you hunt, for under $5000, during January or February, with an over-the-counter license, that is more challenging or exciting to hunt? Nothing else compares. Not to mention that these rams make spectacular mounts.
Elite hunts the elusive Aoudad sheep on private land in west Texas and central New Mexico.
Chance
Ranch - West Texas
The Chance Ranch is located in the rugged Glass Mountains of west Texas. The ranch is over 50,000 acres of the most inhospitable free-ranging sheep terrain anywhere. Once home to the desert bighorn, this country is now ruled by the Aoudad Sheep.
Much of the sheep country on this ranch must be accessed by foot, as there is limited road access. This hunt is as tough, from a physical perspective, as any hunt possible. If you like physically-challenging hunts with lots of glassing and stalking....this is it. If you are not in exceptional shape, this ranch is not the place to go. There is nothing easy on this hunt. Don't let stories of traditional, high-fence hunting in Texas lead you astray. This hunt is entirely free-ranging. You will earn your sheep on this hunt, guaranteed.
Spot-and-stalk
tactics with binoculars and spotting scopes will be used to locate the herds.
Once spotted, the approach is determined and the stalk is on. Patient hunters
should be rewarded with an opportunity at a trophy ram.
Elite has averaged over 90% success on mature rams over the last five years. Expect to hunt for heavy, 28 to 32-inch sheep. On the average, 4 out of 5 hunters will kill a sheep in this class.
Lodging is provided in a very nice 6-bedroom lodge located on the ranch. Each bedroom has a private bath. The scenery and ambience of the lodge, the ranch and the Glass Mountains can not be described, it must be experienced. Needless to say, the entire hunt is nothing short of a premiere experience.
All hunts are guided 1 on 1 with only two hunters booked per week. The hunts include all field transportation, meals and lodging. Airport service is available into Midland or El Paso, TX.
References
Tim Hanratty, WI 612-718-2221
Kelly Moldenhauer, ND 701-400-4584
Brian Mariuz, MI
248-650-0273
Steve Mariuz, MI 616-748-9027
Kevin Phillips, MI 586-612-2238
Duane Banyai, MI 248-543-8228
Jim Johnson, WI 920-434-3721
Ralph Baeten, WI 920-499-2408
Ron Eichelberger, AZ 928-339-4203
Mark Lamberth, TX
281-350-3266
Steve Deweese, TX 281-351-6208
Steve Broeren, WI 715-426-9746
Jeff Ehlen, WI 920-822-8519
Scott Newman, AK 907-772-4878
Jeff Cole, TX 972-463-2308
Gary West, AR 870-867-3235
2010 Prices
Chance Ranch 4-Day Rifle Aoudad Sheep Hunt
$4500 (1 on 1)
2010 Season
Jan 15-18, 2010
2010 Guaranteed License
$55
Corona Ranches - Central New Mexico
Through a joint venture with one of New Mexico's best Aoudad sheep guides, Elite is offering free-ranging Aoudad sheep hunts on over 35,000 acres of private land located in central New Mexico. In contrast to the Chance Ranch, the Corona Ranches offer a less-physical alternative to hunt the elusive Aoudad sheep. The terrain is very reasonable in terms of accessibility. In fact, this hunt could be classified as a "gentlemen's hunt", and not a high fence in sight.
Vehicles are used to access the ranches and most spotting is done from the vehicle. This approach allows the hunter to glass far more country that can be accomplished on foot. There are also remote areas of the ranches that can be hunted on foot in a more traditional spot-and-stalk fashion.
Expect near 100% shot opportunities at 26 to 30-inch rams on this hunt. Overall success rates have been over 90%.
The hunts are conducted from December through March. An exclusive date will be set up for you during this time frame.
Accommodations are provided in a very nice ranch house with all modern amenities. All meals are included on the hunt. Airport service is available into Albuquerque or Roswell, NM.
2009/2010 Prices
Corona Ranches 5-Day Rifle Aoudad Sheep Hunt
$3600 (1 on 1)
2009/2010 Season
December through March. Exact dates will be confirmed at the time of booking.
2009/2010 Guaranteed License
$360
Contact and Booking Information