Barbary sheep are nomadic animals that often travel in large herds. Those characteristics, combined with difficult terrain, make hunting them a formidable challenge. (Shutterstock photo)
December 31, 2024
By Matt Church
I’m glad we’re here. It’s five below zero and snowing at home,” I quipped, fully appreciating the 60-degree late-January day as the desert sun warmed our glassing vantage. Accomplishment from the previous day had bolstered our camp, as we had successfully spotted, stalked and harvested a young Barbary sheep ram, also known as an aoudad.
With our group now brimming with confidence, it made peering through the spotting scope at the towering, burnished escarpment in search of khaki-colored movement that much more anticipatory.
“Got ’em!” I exclaimed. “On the plateau directly below the nose of the cliff, 1,800 yards. Big group moving into the canyon. We’ve got to make a move and head up the wash to stay hidden, then up the tributary wash until we can get on the bench to ambush them. It’s only 900 feet of elevation gain in half a mile ...”
My words trailed. Putting aside the arduous stalk ahead, we embraced the strife and eventually capitalized by tagging our second free-range, over-the-counter, do-it-yourself, public-land Barbary sheep of the trip.
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SHEEP COUNTRY Barbary sheep are an exotic , introduced species that can be found throughout the state of New Mexico and southwestern Texas. Texas has almost no public-land access where aoudad roam in the Lone Star State, which means hiring an outfitter or paying a private-land trespass fee to hunt them there. For fair-chase, do-it-yourself, public-land hunting opportunities, New Mexico is a great place to hunt the “cheap sheep.” New Mexico offers limited-draw tags as well as over-the-counter, either-sex tags that are valid for 12 months across most of the state’s game management units (GMUs). This provides a fantastic opportunity to get back to the mountains and hone your hunting skills during the endless winter in the more northern latitudes.
Careful stalking is key to getting within rifle range, which in some situations could be several hundred yards. (Photo by Matt Church) For those seeking to draw a limited Barbary sheep tag, the southeastern part of the state is where to focus. GMUs 29 and 30 have some of the highest success rates on big rams and are a top choice of Barbary sheep hunters. GMU 30 has large populations that have remained consistent throughout the years. The Guadalupe Mountains range from high-elevation peaks to dry desert habitats with steep, rocky terrain, which is ideal Barbary sheep habitat. Hunters will find good backcountry and remote car-camping opportunities on BLM land throughout the GMUs.
GMUs 32, 36 and 37 are also limited-draw units that can produce big rams. Areas around Roswell and the lower elevations of the Lincoln National Forest are good areas to target. While the populations may not be as large as those in GMUs 29 and 30, there are still good numbers of sheep and quality rams to be taken. Again, steep and variable elevation, coupled with rocky terrain punctuated with cacti and yucca, will be encountered.
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GMU 34 is a popular unit that draws many hunters, and most years it is open to over-the-counter license holders. Barbary sheep can be found in transitional habitats from the southwestern tablelands into the Madrean Sky Islands. This habitat is characterized by numerous canyons and escarpments with abundant Barbary sheep habitat resources. Dog Canyon is a wonderful state park in which to set up a base camp. It offers magnificent vistas of the Sacramento Mountains, where elk, mule deer and even bighorn sheep can be viewed.
The long, sweeping horns of the Barbary sheep, aka aoudad, make a very impressive trophy indeed. (Photo by Matt Church) Hunters holding an over-the-counter tag can also try GMUs 42 and 47 in the northeast region. This area has a higher proportion of private land but can still make for a fun hunt if you accept the challenge of finding sheep on checkerboarded parcels of public land. Explore areas near Sabinoso or Mills Canyon, which offer remote car camping along the Canadian River.
TACTICALLY SPEAKING Success when hunting Barbary sheep is directly proportional to time spent behind glass. Set up in a low-elevation spot that allows the best view of surrounding escarpments, benches, hillsides and washes. Key on grassy knolls and mesquite woodlands with good understory, paying particular attention to shaded areas. Hunting aoudad from cliffs above their elevation is not the best strategy. Similarly, hiking blindly into a canyon or wash isn’t a good idea either. Aoudad have keen eyesight, and in popular GMUs they are attuned to aberrancy, so finding them from the valley floor at a long distance before embarking on a well-thought-out stalk is paramount.
Barbary sheep are native to North Africa, but have roamed freely throughout the mountains of West Texas and eastern New Mexico since the 1950s. (Photo by Matt Church) Methodically glass an area and allow for overlap to double-check likely spots. Don’t be discouraged if nothing appears for hours or even days. Glassing sheep takes time and patience, as Barbary sheep are highly nomadic and impeccably matched to the desert landscape. Take frequent breaks and stay hydrated and sprightly by having your favorite snacks closeby.
When stalking, stay hidden from watchful eyes by utilizing boulders, topographical breaks and vegetation as cover. Find intermediate glassing points to stop and clandestinely monitor the herd. A swift ascent from the valley floor will most likely be necessary, but take care to move safely and stealthily. Nonetheless, be prepared to take long shots, as aoudad are constantly on the move and highly circumspect.
When the northern hunting seasons close, consider heading to the mountains of the New Mexico desert to chase the elusive Barbary sheep. With various landscapes in which to hunt them and readily available tags, it’s a no-brainer to get away from the frozen North and enjoy one of the most challenging yet rewarding sheep hunts a working man can afford.
SHEEP GEAR Other than good hunting buddies, certain pieces of gear are essential for a successful aoudad hunt.
Photo by Matt Church Quality glass is the Barbary sheep hunter’s linchpin, and any optics package should start with a spotting scope equipped with a sunshade and paired with a lightweight tripod. A good spotter should be sharp and not cause eye fatigue. I like my Maven S.1A . It’s crisp and is comparable to my buddy’s Swarovski at a more affordable price. Next is a good binocular, and again, I reach for Maven products—the B1.2 10x42 for closer range and the B.5 18x56 if I need a break from looking through the spotter.
You’ll also want a long-distance rangefinder. Maven and SIG Sauer both make excellent units that scan far past shooting distances, which is paramount for establishing intervals when planning stalks. When it’s time to make a move, I’ll leave the spotter and the B.5 in the truck and carry my 10-power bino and rangefinder in my bino harness to conserve weight.
Lastly, a quality scope atop your rifle is a must. The Vortex Viper is my choice; I use an older model long-range scope with both dialable turrets and a reticle with holdovers. I’ll mount the scope either to my custom-built 6.5 Creedmoor, shooting the 143-grain Hornady ELD-X bullet, or my Browning X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Speed in 7 mm Rem. Mag., shooting the 156-grain ELD-X bullet. Being proficient to 500 yards is important, especially when hunting in popular GMUs.
An aoudad hunt isn’t just spent looking through glass; a lot of foot miles are accrued through spotting and stalking. Much of the country where Barbary sheep live is characterized by cacti, steep terrain and loose, jagged rocks, so a high-quality pair of uninsulated leather boots with reliable ankle support and a stiff outsole is a must for hunting in this terrain. Pair them with scree gaiters to keep rocks out of your boots and cactus spines out of your shins.
Bring a daypack big enough to carry ample water, snacks and extra layers. I carry Mystery Ranch and Stone Glacier packs, as they are lightweight and modular with durable frames capable of carrying heavy quarters. The desert can be windy and colder than anticipated, so bring extra merino layers as well as rain gear to protect from the wind. The best apparel and camo pattern for the New Mexico desert I’ve encountered is the Badlands Approach series. It blends in well, and the material performance is stellar. I wear lightweight Mechanix or leather gloves in the desert because I often inadvertently place my hand on a cactus or sharp rock, plus they protect from wind chafe. Lastly, a wide-brimmed hat and polarized sunglasses will keep your face, neck and eyes from getting pummeled by the unrelenting desert sun.
This article was featured in the December/January 2025 issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe .
