About the Aoudad (Barbary) Sheep
General Information
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, 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 and spiny vegetation.
The aoudad’s tenacity doesn’t end when the shot is taken; they are renowned for their incredible toughness and survival instinct, often requiring precise shot placement to anchor them in place. 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 on public areas. Ultimately, taking an aoudad is a deeply earned trophy that will test your boot leather, your shooting ability, and your mental fortitude.
Aoudad Description
Aoudad are stocky and muscular, standing 2.5 to 3.5 feet tall at the shoulder. Males (rams) weigh between 90 to 320 pounds, while females (ewes) are smaller, typically weighing 60 to 150 pounds.
Suitable Weapons
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.
Hunting Area
Aoudad can be hunted free-range in western Texas and parts of New Mexico. Estate hunts are conducted on large ranches in Texas and Oklahoma.
Spain and South Africa also have Aoudad / Barbary Sheep hunts available.
Trophy Expectations
A good Aoudad (Barbary sheep) trophy typically features horns measuring 28 inches or more along the curve, combined with thick, heavy bases. Anything exceeding 32 inches is considered an exceptional, world-class trophy.
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 10 to 14 years old, possessing a blocky frame and weighing upwards of 250 to 350 pounds.
Cost to Hunt
It usually costs between $3,500 to $7,000 to hunt Aoudad sheep.
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