I didnt want to highjack the Texas exotic hunts thread, so I though I would start my own.
How about, say West Texas FREE RANGE Audad.
Whats your guys opinion on hunting that species.
I here its a pretty hard hunt, and they are really pretty IMO.
Just wondering your thoughts on hunting the free range aoudads.
Thanks in advance,
W.

Because of the terrain they inhabit and their terrific senses, the auodad ranks as one of the toughest of all the exotic hunts. The hunts can be extremely taxing -- and being in top physical shape is certainly a plus.

Even the young ram below posed quite a challenge during a non-trophy (i.e. meat) hunt. By the way, the younger ones make terrific table fare; the old rams...well, you'll have to decide for yourself.

The small ram below was taken with a 14" Contender barrel in .257 JDJ using a 100 grain Ballistic Tip at a bit over 2650 fps MV. He was taken at 190 yards in the waning light and the final minutes of a 2-day hunt. I'll never forget my guide frequently mentioning how these guys are tough and can pack a good bit of misguided lead. And I'll also never forget his jubilance when this ram folded on the spot with a slightly high shoulder shot.

Jeff Thomason, one of my board moderators and producer of the Predator Pursuit video series, has just started booking free-range aoudad hunts in west Texas. I will PM you with his e-mail address and you can contact him.

I just got back from an Aleberta black bear hunt with Jeff and the gang.

Good Hunting,

Bob

Free ranging Aoudad in the Trans Pecos and Palo Duro Canyon of the Panhandle make for a worthy hunt. But I've never heard the Aoudad described as "pretty" . To me, their appearance matches their smell .

Thanks guys,
Maybe a "Nice Mount" would be a better word than pretty.
Thanks again everybody.
W.

You can hunt free range Aoudad in New Mexico on public ground for the price of the non-resident license. It will be more difficult, but you won't shell out several grand just to get on someone's property. Last time I checked into the so called "free range" Aoudad hunts, they ran somewhere around $3500.

If you hunt in TX, you will most likely hunt on private land and they don't let you hunt it for free. Hence, the several grand comment.

There is a public land hunt at Caprock Canyons for aoudad, but don't bank on that. I've been putting in for maybe 15 years and have yet to be drawn...

I doubt I will put in for it any more as you really need to be in good shape, and my health has gone south here lately. I've always preferred spot-and-stalk over any other kind of hunting, but I guess I will have to adjust and start considering other methods.

MAC is right that a free range aoudad hunt can be expensive, but it pays to check around. (I'd start with the recommendation of Bob in TX).

And if you would be OK with just a representative ram, the cost could be significantly less.

I hunt them 100% free range in SE NM. PM me if you're interested.

I book for an excellent West Texas outfitter who produces very good free range aoudad. I just took a 30" ram 2 months ago for an upcoming episode of the Petersen's Hunting TV show. It's a fun and challenging hunt with a very high success rate. Drop me a line if you would like me to send you some info.

Bubba Glosson is the man for free range aoudad hunts. His outfit is Southwest Trophy Hunts, he has a website

Drummond

Check Wendell Reich's website. He offers tanch and free range Aoudad hunts in Texas.

Hunter's Quest

Not to be argumentative Grenadier, but there is no such thing as a low fence aoudad cannot get over, under, or through. Hell, even high fences do a terrible job of keeping them in. That said, all of my hunts and those of competitors like Bubba Glosson and Wendell Reich's that are advertised as free range are, without a doubt, free range hunts. However, I do know of a West Texas ranch that advertises free range aoudad that is, in fact, high-fenced.

That must have been something to hunt with Finn.