About the Aoudad (Barbary) Sheep
Info About the Aoudad
Hunting free-range Aoudad, or Barbary sheep, presents a demanding and thrilling hunting adventure. Native to the rugged Atlas Mountains of North Africa, these resilient sheep thrive in the blistering, unforgiving terrain of west Texas and New Mexico. Known as the “poor man’s sheep”, aoudad hunts offer the same adrenaline-fueled experience as traditional bighorn sheep hunts, but at a fraction of the cost.
These elusive animals are built perfectly for survival in steep, rocky, and cactus-strewn environments. Mature rams feature heavy, sweeping horns that can exceed 30 inches long, a shaggy throat mane, and a sandy-brown coat that provides flawless camouflage against the arid landscape. Because aoudad have elite vision and constantly utilize elevated vantage points, they test a hunter’s patience and stealth. Successfully harvesting a ram requires long hours of meticulous glassing, followed by grueling, technical stalks across loose rock.
The aoudad’s tenacity doesn’t end when the shot is taken–they are renowned for their incredible toughness and survival instinct. Hunting the aoudad requires precise shot placement to bring them down without losing them in the dense vegetation. While guided hunts on massive private ranches in West Texas are the most popular way to pursue them, they can also be hunted year-round on private land and via draw hunts in public areas. Ultimately, taking an aoudad is a deeply earned trophy that will test your hunting skills, your shooting ability, and your mental toughness.
Aoudad Description
Aoudad are stocky and muscular, standing from 30 to 42 inches tall at the shoulders. Males (rams) weigh from 90 to 320 pounds, while females (ewes) are smaller, typically weighing from 60 to 150 pounds.
Recommended Calibers
Use a minimum of a long-range, flat shooting 6.5mm caliber rifle to hunt Aoudad sheep.
Aoudad are incredibly tough, dense-boned animals with a powerful will to survive, so a well placed shoulder or heart/lung shot is necessary.
Where to Hunt Aoudad
You can hunt aoudad primarily in Texas and New Mexico, which hold massive, thriving populations that offer world-class free-range and estate hunting. Spain and South Africa also have Aoudad / Barbary Sheep hunts available.
Texas
- Texas is the premier destination for aoudad. Because they are classified as an exotic species rather than native game, you can hunt them year-round using any weapon.
- Free-Range Mountain Hunts: The absolute gold standard of aoudad hunting takes place in the rugged mountain ranges of West Texas. These are highly demanding, pure spot-and-stalk mountain hunts.
- Private Game Ranches: Private Game ranches feature large free-ranging or high-fence populations.
- Public Land: Opportunities are exceptionally scarce. However, there are some public lottery draw hunts for exotics in specific areas.
New Mexico
- New Mexico hosts an incredible population of free-range aoudad. Unlike Texas, New Mexico manages them strictly as a big-game species with specific seasons, often peaking in February.
Spain
- Aoudad thrive in the semi-desert mountains of Southeastern Spain. This destination offers an excellent add-on to traditional European ibex hunts.
South Africa
- Many concessions in the Karoo or Eastern Cape regions keep wild herds that can be booked on standard plains game safaris.
What is Considered a Trophy Aoudad
Trophy characteristics to look for in an Aoudad (Barbary sheep) trophy include:
- Horn Length & Mass: A typical trophy Aoudad should have horns that measure 28 inches or more. An Aoudad exceeding 32 inches is considered an exceptional, world-class trophy. Trophy rams will also have thick, heavy bases.
- The “Chaps” and Mane: Mature males display striking physical features that make for great life-size or half-body mounts, including an long throat mane and long, shaggy hair on the front legs known as “chaps”.
- Age: True trophy rams are typically from 10 to 14 years old, possessing a blocky frame and weighing upwards of from 250 to 350 pounds.
Cost to Hunt Aoudad
An aoudad (Barbary sheep) hunt generally costs from $3,500 to $8,500 for a fully guided experience, making it the most affordable true “mountain sheep” hunt in North America.
- West Texas – Free-Range Mountain Hunts: Average Cost is from $5,500 to $7,500
- Texas High-Fence / Managed Estate Hunts: Average Cost is from $3,500 to $6,000
- New Mexico: Average Cost is from $3,500 to $7,500
- Spain: Average cost is from $3,500 to $6,500
- South Africa: Average cost is from $2,500 to $4,500 as a standalone trophy fee when added to an existing safari.
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