Aoudad....

[robtattoo]

I know I'm too late to apply for this year's draw, but I'm going to put in for both NM &TX next year for Aoudad & possibly a NM Ibex (ha!)
Have any if y'all hunted these fine species & could I possibly bother any of you for location/unit tips?
I'm not wanting to find anyone's honey hole, just rough ideas of the best units to apply for.

 

[Zbot]

I know I'm too late to apply for this year's draw, but I'm going to put in for both NM &TX next year for Aoudad & possibly a NM Ibex (ha!)
Have any if y'all hunted these fine species & could I possibly bother any of you for location/unit tips?
I'm not wanting to find anyone's honey hole, just rough ideas of the best units to apply for.

Why are you applying for Texas aoudad when you can hunt them whenever you want?

 

[robtattoo]

On private land yes.
On public land you have to draw.

 

[Zbot]

On private land yes.
On public land you have to draw.

Only on certain hunts...there are others where all you have to do is buy the permit that applies to that particular piece of land.

 

[robtattoo]

I just got off the phone with TPWD & you're absolutely right. I was led to believe that it was all draw only for non-residents. Thank you!

I've been googling my face off trying to find any info regarding units/areas where this applies & I'm having no luck at all. Just outfitter after outfitter.
Can you point me in the direction of any of these public areas please? Again, not looking for a honey hole, just a WMA or national park.

 

[amp713]

Following for sure, something ive wanted to get researched myself!

 

[robtattoo]

As far as public land, non-draw hunting goes, I'm finding literally one thing on the internet that references it. Amistad during deer season is open for exotics & the one guy who posted about that in 2011 had seen 2 in his entire life.
It looks very much like anywhere that actually has Aoudad is draw only, unless you happen to know a landowner who'll let you hunt or, Texas being Texas, relieve you of 2 grand for the privilege of crossing his fence line.

 

[jm1607]

As far as TX goes...

Texas is private land only EXCEPT Amistad and 1 small piece of public land near Austin (forget the name, starts with an "E", may not even be open this year).. Both are a LONG shot at finding one.. I've been going to Amistad for 5 years straight and have never seen one.. Pretty much the only area where they have been seen in the past is only accessible by boat as well..

You can also enter the Texas public draws to hunt Aoudad, but the draws are TOUGH, like almost Sheep draw tough.. 1000+ applicants for a handful of tags.. The system is just weighted random drawings, which is good for starting out but it also means you can apply for 30 years and never win.. I put in for them because it's only $3 a year as a resident and I'm on year 6 now..

The private land hunts in West TX are not cheap.. They start around $2500 and only go up from there..

The are considered an exotic and you do not need a tag to hunt them, only a license..

 

[Zbot]

I have hunted Amistad every year for the last 13 or so years. I wouldn't make it a trip, but because I grew up in the area and visit my family every year I can go. This past season, I killed two rams but only because I know the areas so well. Coming in without knowing the area, I probably wouldn't even get a chance to draw back.

As a foreigner, I would invest the money to hunt with an outfitter. The return you get in knowledge and trophy size is well worth it, and no, I wouldn't pay more than 2K for a hunt but know who to talk to. I can get you in touch with a few guys that costs less.

 

[IChaseCoues]

I cant say anything about TX because I have no experience there. On the other hand I have hunted Barbary many years in NM. The draw odds for the prime units are about 13% from what I can figure for a Non-Res first choice. There are sheep scattered in the draw units and a decent harvest rate is proof. It's the best way to do a DIY sheep hunt in the lower 48 and should be much cheaper than a paid hunt in TX. There are also paid hunts to be had in NM but I bet they are on par with TX prices. There is an over the counter hunt in NM for a large portion of the state. The chances of finding a decent sheep in the OTC units is slim and will take many days unless just lucky!

Ibex on the other hand is really low draw odds like 0.2%, yep point 2%! (If I calculated correctly) And it is a tough physical hunt but there are plenty of animals to find and really take time to find a good one cause you have 15 days. I was actually on the rock (Florida Mountains) twice in the last two weeks. Its still a tough climb and we didn't see any ibex but I think they were smarter than us and were laid up in the shade with the 90+ degree temps.

 

[JWP58]

TX has a few drawn hunts for aoudad, they haven't open applications yet. But don't apply, they all suck...and I want better odds.

 

[dashj7]

Send me a PM if you need some help in Texas. A buddy and I kill these outside of Alpine a few years back with a rifle.
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[realunlucky]

Send me a PM if you need some help in Texas. A buddy and I kill these outside of Alpine a few years back with a rifle.
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Dash can't see your pictures but want too. This is on my bucket list

 

[MTGunner]

Aoudad in NM or TX...

If you want a public land hunt I would consider SE New Mexico as there is lots of BLM and some state public land to hunt. Get a New Mexico land map book, Gazette book, to research this possibility. Lots of public land in NM. Texas is difficult to hunt public land, but lots of private land that requires an outfitter. One possibility to consider woiuld be a free range hunt in TX below El Paso, TX. I have the phone numberof a land owner that may interest you as I hunted this property middle 2000's. Cannot remember exact date but there are Aoudad on his property or there were when I hunted it. PM me if you are interested. MTG

 

[realunlucky]

If you want a public land hunt I would consider SE New Mexico as there is lots of BLM and some state public land to hunt. Get a New Mexico land map book, Gazette book, to research this possibility. Lots of public land in NM. Texas is difficult to hunt public land, but lots of private land that requires an outfitter. One possibility to consider woiuld be a free range hunt in TX below El Paso, TX. I have the phone numberof a land owner that may interest you as I hunted this property middle 2000's. Cannot remember exact date but there are Aoudad on his property or there were when I hunted it. PM me if you are interested. MTG

I pm you

 

[hunting1]

I have hunted twice in NM and do not expect to show up and kill one. Sure you might get lucky, but I have been twice now. Expect to drive a lot and glass even more. A lot of fun either way!