DIY Texas Aoudad hunt

[schmalzy]

I was planning a black tail hunt in WA this fall but lucked into scoring a cancellation DIY hunt with WTHO. Van Horn ranch, hunting the 2nd week of October. This will be my first Aoudad hunt, and first time hunting the Trans-Pecos region.

I’ve seen a lot of guys asking or curious about these hunts so I figured I’d start a thread on the preparation, gear, and hunt for those interested in it.

It will be a base camp style hunt and will most likely use a small hunters cabin on site. Outfitter stressed to be proficient to 400 yards, strong legs and best glass I can swing.

In decent shape but going to transition more to pack work and overall endurance. Lifting 3x a week and run or bike 4-5x.

Main gear choices:

Rifle: Kimber Montana in 300 Win Mag with 4-12x40 30 mm Leupold Freedom. Working on getting the right load selected. Haven’t hunted with this rifle yet. I may make a gametime decision and roll with my tikka 270.

Spotter: Leica 62 i just picked up off of here.

Binos: still deciding. Currently have some endeavor 8x42s. Considering renting a set of 10 or 12 El’s, or potentially buying Maven B6 12x50.

Boots: Crispi Briksdal, but need to get a half a size larger.

Pants: Tempted to try some kutanas. I have attacks but from what I’m reading they’ll get shredded on this hunt. Should be relatively warm, just cool in the mornings and evenings.

Pack: SG solo. Won’t be carrying camp with me so primarily day pack with ability to haul.


First post and getting all my thoughts together. Would really appreciate any advice from anyone else that’s done a hunt with WTHO on the Van Horn.


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[WRM]

Cut back your lifting some and get to ruckin. It'll take care of your endurance needs.

Good luck!

 

[schmalzy]

Cut back your lifting some and get to ruckin. It'll take care of your endurance needs.

Good luck!

Definitely in the cards. Was planning rucking twice a week. You think I should up it from there?


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[WRM]

I'd personally cut way back on the biking and sub rucking for that and most lifting. Work up to 80-90 pounds. You'll get cut.

 

[Miflatlander91]

Interested in seeing how this hunt goes. Goodluck

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[schmalzy]

Interested in seeing how this hunt goes. Goodluck

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Thanks. It’ll be an adventure. Ranch is on the Rio Grande and an hour+ from any town or store. Going to try to keep this thread as updated as possible.


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[TxxAgg]

I'd be tempted to stick with your tried and trued Tikka 270.

Good luck!

 

[LIWolverine]

Been there on that ranch twice on July hunts. Definitely bring best glass you can. I’d take your 270 honestly. It’s a great ranch and a great host. Be in your glassing spot before sunrise and stick it out until dark. They have killed some giants out there. I honestly wouldn’t worry about cutting up your pants. The vegetation isn’t all that bad. It could happen though. Strong legs is a must too lol. The cabin is decent and perfectly fine. Good luck!!


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[schmalzy]

Appreciate all the responses guys.

The 270 has some juju on it. It will definitely be in the truck and may get the starting slot based on the next month of range time. Both rifles weigh about the same.


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[duckhunter175]

Shoot me a PM and I'll give you a full run down on the Van Horn-- hunted the Feb hunt there with two buddies.... there is quite a bit of ground to cover but I'll send you some spots that would be the first places I would check out because of concentrations, otherwise you could spend days hiking what looks like sheepy areas.

The terrain is tough but the vegetation isn't bad unless you're down in the river and that isn't where the sheep are.

I used a .257wby which did the job fine with a 131gr @ 3300fps--- whichever rifle you are comfortable with out to 400yds is what I would bring.

You will absolutely need the best spotter and binos you can bring-- if we hadn't had my Kowa 774 I don't think we would've succeeded.

As for the austerity, there certainly is not the option to run back into town if you forget something so have lots of potable water, ice, etc. Cell service is very spotty but doable on the daily.

 

[duckhunter175]

 

[Northpark]

I hunted with WTHO in 2020 just upriver on a different ranch. It was Semi guided but pretty much DIY. It was awesome! I wore attack pants and zamberlan guides. The rock will chew your boots up but don’t worry about the pants the vegetation isnt too bad. If you can shoot the .300 well I would take that over the .270. Aoudad aren’t bulletproof but I did watch one take 3 solid hits from a 7mm Rem mag with 160 accubonds. The .270 will work but use a good bullet and keep shots in the shoulder.

 

[FLATHEAD]

The ram I took this past Feb. was a tank. Took 3 hits in the vitals (2 heart, 1 through the lungs)
before going down. Was shooting 200gr. Partitions from my 300 WM.
They are very tough animals. Remember, they are originally from Africa.

 

[ChasinDoes]

I shot a decent ram on that exact ranch a few years ago. Beautiful place, took a little while to learn the terrain and layout of the place

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[schmalzy]

Really appreciate all the info gents. Getting pumped up.


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[ChasinDoes]

420 yard shot across a canyon

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[wyosteve]

I hunted out of Van Horn with an outfitter in Feb. of this year. My biggest takeaway is how tiny those animals looked in their terrain. At 1100 yds. they looked a lot like ants because the country is so big. I used my 10x42 EL's, but wish I would have had the 12's and my spotting scope. The guide had a spotting scope and we saw lots of sheep, but I could never beat him in finding them! Good luck. Awesome country!

 

[duckhunter175]

420 yard shot across a canyon

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Hah! I recognize that cliff band!! Nice shooting!

 

[schmalzy]

I hunted out of Van Horn with an outfitter in Feb. of this year. My biggest takeaway is how tiny those animals looked in their terrain. At 1100 yds. they looked a lot like ants because the country is so big. I used my 10x42 EL's, but wish I would have had the 12's and my spotting scope. The guide had a spotting scope and we saw lots of sheep, but I could never beat him in finding them! Good luck. Awesome country!

I think I’ve settled on renting and bringing a pair of 12 el’s. Rental rates pretty reasonable all things considered.


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[schmalzy]

Did any of you utilize shooting sticks or trekking poles as shooting sticks? Assuming there’s a high chance of some pretty steep angles.


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