WTHO Auodad hunts

[BCinKS]

I’m booking a hunt with West Texas Hunt Organization, ( Mulie Mike). Has anyone hunted with him on the Hueco Ranch? Just curious how it lays and game population. I know he comes with great reviews. This is just a bucket list hunt for me so always a little nervous.

 

[cornchuck]

I can't help you on the ranch you will be hunting with WTHO. I hunted on Indio ranch in 2024 with Mike's crew. I was more anxious than nervous. My guide bent over backwards to get my ram. Which I got on the 2nd day of my 4 day hunt. I had a great time and I'm planning on going again. Maybe this time I'll might try a DIY hunt.

Jason

 

[dchum]

I wouldn’t book a hunt in that area personally.

Not very mountainous and just not prime area imo. All that land near El Paso is like the surface of the moon. Not very scenic.

I would really try and get a hunt in the Davis mountain range or the Chinati mountain range. Prime habitat and holds massive sheep.

That may lead you to book with someone else? I’m not sure.


Hold out for a big one. A lot of “guides” tell you it’s a good sheep if its 30”. Well almost any ram above 4 years old is 30”.

Look for something old with mass and it will be a high scoring sheep. Younger rams can look longer because they have thinner horns. The heavy mass can be deceiving on an old goat.
There are plenty of mature goats to look over if you are in a good spot. Be patient. Don’t shoot the first “30” inch aoudad your guide points out.

Just my advice! Good luck. It’s a fun hunt!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I wouldn’t book the hueco ranch hunt.

Not very mountainous and just not prime area imo. All that near El Paso is like the moon.

I would really try and get a hunt in the Davis mountain range or the Chinati mountain range. Prime habitat and holds massive sheep.

That may lead you to book with someone else? I’m not sure.


Hold out for a big one. A lot of “guides” tell you it’s a good sheep if it 30”. Well almost any ram above 4 years old it 30”.

Look for something old with mass and it will be a high scoring sheep. There are plenty of you are in a good spot.

Ive hunted the Davis and chinatti mountains and I think I prefer the Davis area ranches better. In the chinatti, I shot a 31” ram which was cool but it was a very standard Ram, a cookie cutter animal really.. Solid animal but not unique in any way.

When I went to the Davis mountains, I held out and ended up shooting one that only taped out 30” on one side and 29” on the other but he was double broomed and has impressive mass, he was all smashed up from fighting, it’s an awesome ram.

All that said, I think Indio is the best ranch that WTHO has and that’s where I’d want to hunt if I was going with them.

I’ll be heading back to fort Davis this coming February (still about a year out) and I’ll be looking for a BIG one because that trip will wrap up my Texas thing, I’m lucky to go aoudad hunting 3 times but I need to focus on other things. In fact, if not for the fact I’m going with my dad, I’d probably give up my spot and just be happy with the rams I’ve already got from Texas.

 

[dchum]

Ive hunted the Davis and chinatti mountains and I think I prefer the Davis area ranches better. In the chinatti, I shot a 31” ram which was cool but it was a very standard Ramona makes sense. Solid animal but not unique in any way.

When I went to the Davis mountains, Oheld out and ended up shooting one that only taped out 30” on one side and 29” on the other but he was double broomed and has impressive mass, he was all smashed up from fighting, it’s an awesome ram.

All that said, I think Indio is the best ranch that WTHO has and that’s where I’d want to hunt if I was going with them.

Very nice,

Yes I agree, Davis mountain range is prime imo.

And nice, love a stubby worn down goat.
Why I really like Sci Method 11 scoring aoudad. Bases and 3 mass measurements Really supports old heavy rams. Anyone can find a 32”…. But finding an aoudad with mass measurements to get it close to 150” is another thing.

All that said. I wouldn’t fly and spend over 6 grand to hunt near El Paso.

 

[Mikido]

Sorry to hijack the thread. I’m looking for DIY options in rugged terrain. I value difficulty over ram quality. Any suggestions

 

[JasonM]

Very nice,

Yes I agree, Davis mountain range is prime imo.

And nice, love a stubby worn down goat.
Why I really like Sci Method 11 scoring aoudad. Bases and 3 mass measurements Really supports old heavy rams. Anyone can find a 32”…. But finding an aoudad with mass measurements to get it close to 150” is another thing.

All that said. I wouldn’t fly and spend over 6 grand to hunt near El Paso.

I need to look up some pictures to compare what a high scoring goat is. Here I thought I shot a good one with WTHO. Lol

 

[dchum]

I need to look up some pictures to compare what a high scoring goat is. Here I thought I shot a good one with WTHO. Lol

Sorry if it came off that way! Not what I meant.

I was speaking about aoudad hunts in general! And I mean just age class really. Also that the coveted “30” isn’t actually so rare.

Those guys kill plenty of giants! So not speaking ill of anyone!

Sorry for miss understanding

 

[JasonM]

Sorry if it came off that way! Not what I meant.

I was speaking about aoudad hunts in general! And I mean just age class really. Also that the coveted “30” isn’t actually so rare.

Those guys kill plenty of giants! So not speaking ill of anyone!

Sorry for miss understanding

No harm. I never scored mine and probably never will. Regardless, not living in aoudad country or having access to see a lot of them on hooves puts someone like me at a disadvantage thus I gotta rely on a guide (sometimes) to tell me if it’s a good one or not.

Seriously tho I’d love to see an absolute slammer.

They are impressive beasts!

 

[UKwildcatfan]

I need to look up some pictures to compare what a high scoring goat is. Here I thought I shot a good one with WTHO. Lol

Goat?

 

[UKwildcatfan]

No harm. I never scored mine and probably never will. Regardless, not living in aoudad country or having access to see a lot of them on hooves puts someone like me at a disadvantage thus I gotta rely on a guide (sometimes) to tell me if it’s a good one or not.

Seriously tho I’d love to see an absolute slammer.

They are impressive beasts!

Hunted south of Marfa, Crown X ranch. Bunch of sheep. Wife got a 30" one with 15" bases, which outfitter said the mass was exceptional. Mine was 32" with 14" bases. She whooped me on the score.

 

[JasonM]

Goat?

Ram (technically they are a goat or something I think lol. )

 

[JasonM]

Hunted south of Marfa, Crown X ranch. Bunch of sheep. Wife got a 30" one with 15" bases, which outfitter said the mass was exceptional. Mine was 32" with 14" bases. She whooped me on the score.

Interesting. I should tape mine. Probably a dink. Ha

 

[dchum]

Goat?

yes some call them goats. They aren’t sheep (Ovis) that’s for sure.

But I find my self calling them sheep and goats interchangeably, just to make it all the more confusing.
Both are incorrect technically… Taxonomically speaking they are neither Capra nor Ovis

They have goat (horizontal) eyes. Interesting critters for sure.

No harm. I never scored mine and probably never will. Regardless, not living in aoudad country or having access to see a lot of them on hooves puts someone like me at a disadvantage thus I gotta rely on a guide (sometimes) to tell me if it’s a good one or not.

Seriously tho I’d love to see an absolute slammer.

They are impressive beasts!

They really are cool animals. Here is an interesting comparison. This is a 146” sheep. He had a impressive 34” length on both sides

First pic is right before he was shot.



Now here is another sheep that’s also scored 146”. But with 31” and 32”. So a little more mass. Broomed more but the mass carries more. Thats 146” two different ways. Neat comparison



Sorry to hijak - but I think it’s still relevant and can help OP on his hunt and others.

 

[JasonM]

yes some call them goats. They aren’t sheep (Ovis) that’s for sure.

But I find my self calling them sheep and goats interchangeably, just to make it all the more confusing.
Both are incorrect technically… Taxonomically speaking they are neither Capra nor Ovis

They have goat (horizontal) eyes. Interesting critters for sure.


They really are cool animals. Here is an interesting comparison. This is a 146” sheep. He had a whopping 34” length on both sides

First pic is right before he was shot.
View attachment 1045964
View attachment 1045965

Now here is another sheep that’s also scored 146”. But with 31” and 32”. So a little more mass. Broomed more but the mass carries more. Thats 146” two different ways. Neat comparison
View attachment 1045975


Sorry to hijak - but I think it’s still relevant and can help OP on his hunt and others.

I see the difference. I shot a dink 32” lol.

This should definitely help the OP.

 

[JGRaider]

34", tight curl ram between Balmorhea and Ft Davis.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Sorry to hijack the thread. I’m looking for DIY options in rugged terrain. I value difficulty over ram quality. Any suggestions

Then go to New Mexico, harder hunting, fewer animals, a 26" ram would be solid for NM.

 

[BCinKS]

34", tight curl ram between Balmorhea and Ft Davis.

View attachment 1045996

Very nice Ram! Who did you hunt with?

 

[D R T]

34", tight curl ram between Balmorhea and Ft Davis.

View attachment 1045996

Good looking ram!