Late season tour- Coues and Aoudad

[COelk89]

I hunted them a fair bit in west Texas. They seemed to always be in the top 3rd of the canyons fwiw. Always bedded up in the rim rock and any little cave or rock shelter they can get some shade or get out of a cold wind.

 

[rodney747]

That is definitely where they hang out in West Texas! The more rugged the rocks the better.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Made it to the hunt area a little late today, set up camp and spent the last hr of light checking out the roads and doing some glassing. I’m starting out in the flatter/breaks stuff because, let’s be honest, the post holiday cookie bender takes a toll on you AND it seems like a lot of success out here is found in the flats.
There were several locals driving around glassing but did not see anyone parked and hiking anywhere, which is a good sign for me. Glassed up quite a few mule deer and two nice bucks. Pictures aren’t great because of wind/light, but nice frames. Tomorrow will be a full hunt day and cannot wait.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

First full day of Barbary sheep hunting in the books. No sheep but feeling optimistic. Last night was insanely windy and this morning was a steady 25-30mph with higher gusts. Strategy was just to cover ground and check canyons and cuts out of the wind. Ended up covering about 8 miles and found, what to me, looks like good country. I feel like if I did the same walk 3-4 days in a row I’d turn one up, but that’s not what I’m going to do.
Since the sheep are nomadic, I’m just going to keep checking different places and hiking around every day. I’m glassing but not for more than 30min or so before moving on. I did find a cave with sheep tracks in it, looks like a pretty good bed but it’s about 20 yards on private so couldn’t really check to see how fresh.
I feel like I’m in the game. Hoping to turn something up tomorrow.

Sheep cave

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

You ever think to yourself, “man, if the animals only knew about this spot!”
I was surprised I didn’t turn anything up this morning, country looked great. If I ever catch up to some, I’ll be sure to tell them where they ought to be

 

[Nickofthewoods]

I've had success spotting Barbs in the mornings on east facing aspects. Not sure if it's that they are just easier to spot due to that favorable early lighting or if they are there to actually catch the first morning sun for warmth.

 

[rodney747]

Are there alot of other hunters?

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Day two, no sheep! Covered about 6 miles this morning in great looking country, nothing but mule deer. I even saw something moving on a cliff face, put spotter up, mule deer!
I changed areas and tactics completely this afternoon, went about 70 miles from the area I’ve been in. I climbed the tallest hill and glassed all evening. I didn’t see anything, but I saw more of it!

Tomorrow i’m planning on hiking into a section pretty far that has a large canyon in it. Access is a little tricky because of some private so hoping it’s just me and the sheep back there

@Nickofthewoods thanks for the tip, I have been treating them kind of like coues deer. I glass where the sun hits in the morning, then after 9/10 when it starts to warm pick apart the shade.

@rodney747 pressure hasn’t been awful. The area I’ve been primarily in has had the same 5/6 locals driving and glassing from vehicle. I’ve yet to see someone step out of their truck but they are decked out in camo. The new area I went to had some people out there getting after it but nothing crazy. There was the couple of sxs guys driving around at prime time “hunting”. I expect this weekend to pick up considerably.

View from evening sit, was 360 view


Cool rock? Fossil? Not sure

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

No sheep. I went to that canyon and hiked in about 4 miles, canyon ran east to west so one side had sun and one was shaded. Glassed everything on the way in and then back out, nothing but mule deer.
I came out about 1 and ran to a steeper canyon area, I’d say proper sheep country, and climbed about half way up. I was walking on sheep trails, the kind of country you wouldn’t want to slip on. There was alot of sign but no animals.

Turns out I’m having to cut the trip short, evidently I have to get back to work! Going to start the drive back tomorrow. Thanks everyone for following along, hope I provided some entertainment, if not amusement.

Buck from today

 

[rodney747]

Spent 12 years of my adult life in New Mexico. I'll wish you Good Fortune on the Aoudad/Barbary. But manage your expectations. If you are on Public.....seeing one will be a victory

Your knowledge of aoudad on New Mexico public land was definitely correct after his last post. Can't imagine scouting that much country and not seeing anything!

 

[FLATHEAD]

Been there, done that. Incredibly tough hunt.
I went to TX. for both my Aoudad.

 

[rodney747]

Been there, done that. Incredibly tough hunt.
I went to TX. for both my Aoudad.

Yes we’re blessed with alot of Aoudad here in Texas but again only certain areas. Some very “good looking” sheep country has been over hunted and will waste your time despite what you will be told. Do alot of research!