Hunt Dates: September 25, 26 and 27
Hunt Location: Skyline Ranch (Devil’s River), Comstock, Texas
Species Hunted: Free Range Aoudad and Corsican Ram
Weapon: Remington 700 .300 Weatherby
Ammunition: Weatherby 180 Spire Point
Outfitter: Mike McKinny (mulie_mike)
Guide: Clint Beckham


This was a hunt booked based on an advertisement on AR. I was looking for something that would fill the gap between a summer fishing trip in Mexico and the start of deer season. In addition, I have never spent any significant time in West Texas and thought it would be a good opportunity to see that part of the state.

The area we hunted is along the Devil’s River. The Devil’s River is one of, if not the last private access only rivers in Texas. It is a limestone bottom river that is crystal clear and apparently has some great small mouth bass fishing. The topography is comprised of lots of ridge lines along with deep canyons. The hunting is typically spot and stalk. The terrain is extremely rocky and hiking can be tough. A good pair of hiking boots and some trekking poles make climbing and descending the canyon walls much easier. Definitely a hunt that you want to be in decent shape to do.








The accommodations are adequate and the bunkhouse is air conditioned with satellite television, etc. The food was excellent.




Aoudad

We were extremely lucky on the aoudad. The first morning of the hunt we drove to the north portion of the ranch and intended to do a walk along a ridgeline spotting. We had not been out of the truck for long when we spotted a group of aoudad that were crossing a fence line and moving in a direction toward us, quartering away. In the front of the group was a large ram that stopped and was staring at us. The only shot was a quartering on shot at approximately 200 yards. He dropped in his tracks.

I was fortunate to have taken one of the largest aoudad rams that has been taken on this ranch. Not only is he long, but he has great mass that he retains almost to the tips. An old ram and an exceptional trophy. The taxidermist scored him at 154 7/8". Looks like the aoudad would currently rank number 14 in the world in SCI in free range aoudad. Awesome!








Corsican

In addition to aoudad the ranch also has free range Corsican sheep. We spent the next two days spotting and chasing Corsican. Day two of the hunt we went on a long walk (approximately seven hours) through several canyons. While we spotted several rams nothing was a shooter. Candidly, we spent the rest of the day recovering . . . I was beat.

The Corsican sheep tend to favor the southern portion of the ranch. On the last day of the hunt we spent the better part of the morning and afternoon driving the ranch and spotting. In the morning we made two stalks, one on a group of two rams and the other on a group of two ewes and a ram, but when we got to the area the groups had been spotted they were nowhere to be found. Late afternoon we spotted another group of ewes and a ram. They initially busted off but stopped approximately 200 yards from us at the bottom on canyon and the ram presented a shot.




Overall Impressions

I have never hunted any of the sheep. I am beyond the point of having the desire to chase dall or stone sheep. I really enjoyed this hunt and the opportunity to get a flavor for sheep hunting. To be able to take an exceptional aoudad was a bonus. An added bonus was to be able to see the blood moon eclipse after the hunt.

Mike McKinny was a pleasure to work with in setting up the hunt and Clint Beckham was a great guide and host for the hunt. Sherrie does a great job on the meals too, especially her Hawaiian pork burger.

I would not hesitate to do this hunt again . . . except maybe the walk on Day Two.

Nice animals and pics.Congrats on a good hunt.

What a toad!!!!!!!!!

What was the length of the horns and bases? I saw the SCI score, but looks to be 34" or so? Maybe 16-17" bases?

Nicely done, Mike!

Congrats!

Wow, that's about as big as Aoudad get...very nice! One day I need to get back down there and hunt one like that, to replace the "dink" I have on the wall now.

Way to go Mike!

Congratulations

Congrats Mike, that's a hell of an aoudad, thanks for sharing as I've always wanted to do a hunt like this.

quote:

Originally posted by Austin Hunter:
What a toad!!!!!!!!!

What was the length of the horns and bases? I saw the SCI score, but looks to be 34" or so? Maybe 16-17" bases?

Not quite that big!

Left horn was 33" with 13 4/8" bases. Right horn was 32 1/8" with 13 2/8" bases. The real scoring was that it held its mass so far out, e.g., between the bases and first quarter measurement it only dropped about 1 1/2" same between the first and second quarter measurements and the second and third quarter measurements. As a point of reference, the current number ten in the world free range is 156 2/8".

Very nice, Mike.

Could you look any happier in the photos?

Congratulations. A great hunt and great report from the most impressive part of Texas.

Awesome hunt and interesting country. Well done!

Very cool Mike, congrats.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by Austin Hunter:
What a toad!!!!!!!!!

What was the length of the horns and bases? I saw the SCI score, but looks to be 34" or so? Maybe 16-17" bases?

Not quite that big!

Left horn was 33" with 13 4/8" bases. Right horn was 32 1/8" with 13 2/8" bases. The real scoring was that it held its mass so far out, e.g., between the bases and first quarter measurement it only dropped about 1 1/2" same between the first and second quarter measurements and the second and third quarter measurements. As a point of reference, the current number ten in the world free range is 156 2/8".

I guess it's the mass. The character is fantastic. My goal is a 36" aoudad. My biggest is a 32"x10.5" bases (small); my buddy got a 30" with 15" bases. I'm thinking I will need to head to Big Bend area one day for El Hefe.

Beautiful ram!

Enjoyed reading your report.

Very nice.

Congrats on an exceptional free range aoudad Mike. That one will be hard to beat.

A free range hunt for aoudad in the Ft. Davis area is the only hunt I have ever done in Texas so far.
It was a good hunt in beautiful country, one that I am surprised more do not try.

3 weeks to go & i'm there. sure hope a 1 1/2 legged old fat man can still hunt

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
3 weeks to go & i'm there. sure hope a 1 1/2 legged old fat man can still hunt

The best advice I can offer is take trekking poles. They make a huge difference going up and down the canyons. That and some proper hiking boots with ankle support. Good luck and I look forward to your report.

Fantastic ram MJines. Congrats. Free range aoudad is a spot and stalk hunter's dream.

Mike thank you for coming out and congratulations again on a beautiful ram. He will be hard to beat. Those are the rams that get the blood pumping.

www.westtexashuntorg.com

Outstanding Aoudad. Just outstanding.

Congrats, Mike! That is a fine looking trophy - well done.

Well done Mike! Excellent trophy in a beautiful part of the state. I've always wanted to flyfish the Devil's River for smallies... one day.

Congratulations sir, spectacular trophies. I'm sure you'll return to the Trans Pecos. There's something about it...

That's some BIG country and A Great Ram

Great ram Mike. That is a fun hunt for sure.