Barbary Sheep ?

[1100 Remington Man]

Well I applied for a Tag in New Mexico in unit 32. I have never seen the country but my best friend wants to go hunt them. It was his turn to pick a place and game animal. We hunt DIY does anyone have any tips ? Is it a hunt where you can hunt out of a base camp or am I going to have to backpack in ? What type Rifle 6mm Rem or .264 Win Mag. and how long of shot should I expect.
I don't know what my best friend got me into, but it will be nice to see some new country.
I have never even seen a Barbary Sheep, if we draw tags its season is in Febuary 2017.
Any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks and Good Hunting

 

[Guy Miner]

Good luck! I know nothing about hunting them, but dang, they sure look cool!

When I see a photo or read a story about hunting them - it sure looks terrific!

Guy

 

[DrMike]

Never hunted them, but I'm told you can smell them before you see them! Cool hunt, that's for sure.

 

[Thankful Otter]

1100 Remington man

That is fantastic, Best of luck!

I have not hunted them or even been to New Mexico, but like every other Canuck and Alaskan I have hunted the Dall and Stone. 30-06 worked just fine for me. The 264 should work just fine for you

Earle---think 25, NOT 45, I can not even imagine being that old LOL

Can not stay and play as I am suppose to be working, not reading the Nosler Forum

 

[JD338]

Excellent! Best wishes on your draw and hunt.
Never hunted them but I would think that it could be a long range hunt so the
264 Win Mag would be a great option. A 130 gr AB would be just about perfect.

JD338

 

[GeorgeS]

Use the .264 Win. Mag. with controlled-expansion bullets.

I shot a 32"x30" ram a long time ago with my .30-06 and 165gr. Sierra BTSPs.

They are wary, so shots can be long. They're also big, tough animals and you don't want one running over a ridge after you punch a hole in him.

George

 

[1100 Remington Man]

Thanks for all the advice. I hope I draw the Tag, I am looking forward to seeing New Mexico. I do find it strange the season is in Feburary.
So this fall I will be headed to South Dakota for either a Whitetail or Mule Deer. Most likely Whitetail as where we will be hunting I have seen more Whitetails by far than Mule Deer.
Nice Pictures by the way, gets me excited. Thanks

 

[Bruce Mc]

look at the forum monstermuleys.com. they have a new mexico section and there has been some discussion of aoudad hunting recently. It's said that it is a very difficult hunt in New Mexico. I have some interest in the hunt also. Good luck on the draw.

 

[preacher]

I hunted them in Sanderson, west Texas. I shot mine at 250yds with a 338 RUM and 180AB. The ranch I hunted was not as rugged as where you are going, but rugged enough, ha. I too would suggest your 264WM as they are indeed heavy muscled and very tenacious ( think "sheep phlegmatic" ha) Yes, they so stink, even more so if you gut him! I gave the meat to the Mexican ranch hands...they ground the whole thing up for tacos/tamales. It's what I call "pretty meat", but man oh man...I'd have to be on the verge of starvation before I could hack it, ha. Good luck to you, they are a worthy game animal.

 

[GeorgeS]

For your viewing pleasure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e38WJsUbJ0

George

 

[pre6422hornet]

Grab some good glass. All the guys I know/knew in NM used 16x or higher binos on tripods. A really good friend out there was only able to get within 90 yards of a really nice one last year and missed with Archery equipment. Depending on terrain you could be climbing straight up the most jagged rocks on earth, cactus, rattlesnakes, etc..

If you get drawn, and the hunt approaches, don't be afraid to pick up the phone and call the Game and Fish office in the area of your hunt. They know where the the Barbary are at all times... believe me. I am sure they will offer up some good intel.

 

[Bruce Mc]

I have hunted unit 34 in New Mexico for a number of years. We frequently go to the Forest Service Office and find a law enforcement ranger. They patrol the public lands and are generally chatty about where they see animals. I found the Forest Service folks in New Mexico to be friendly and cooperative toward hunters. I'm afraid I don't have any specific knowledge of unit 32.

 

[Blkram]

From all that I have read or watched of hunting Aoudad, expect a tough and wary animal that will be a fun challenge to hunt. Be prepared for the reality of longer shots on an animal that is tenacious of life. I would recommend you use your 264 with whatever load you feel most comfortable with.

I would recommend a well constructed bullet in the 140 gr weight, such as the PT or AB.

Good Luck and have fun!

 

[Jgraider]

I've been very fortunate to have spent lots and lots of time hunting free range aoudad sheep here in West Texas, both in the Trans Pecos and caprock escarpment country NE of Midland, TX. I've probably killed/culled over 100 of them, as years ago there were many ranchers out here who hated the things, treated them as vermin, and wanted them gone! We were happy to help them out, or at least try.

My advice would be, as already mentioned, to bring the best glass you can afford to bring, get up on high spots, and glass, glass, and glass some more. They blend in very well. I've killed loads of them with a 7mm Rem Mag with 150-160 Nosler partitions and accubonds, a few Barnes X, and a few Hornady Interlokts. I've also killed them with a 7mm-08 and 140 partitiions and accubonds, and a few Hornady Interbonds. Like most African game with a reputation for toughness, and deservedly so, they will die quickly with a well placed, controlled expansion bullet like the NPT, AB, TTSX, etc.

Good luck. You will enjoy it immensely I believe, as aoudad are a spot and stalk hunter's dream.