Texas Aoudad

luvcatchingbass

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I have been trying to plan a Texas Aoudad hunt for the last few months, there are so many outfitters and varying prices that it was hard to decide who to go with for an outfitter. I had contacted Hosted Hunts and talked to a good guy that really helped sort things out and was about to pull the trigger on an outfitter he had been to 2-3 times and could describe everything to me so I knew what I was getting into and that the hunt style fit what I wanted to get out of the hunt. Well then I found out our Safari Club International Red River Valley Chapter had one coming up on live auction for out banquet that was held this past weekend so I bid on it and got the hunt, saved $2,000 from what I was looking at paying.
I still need to contact the outfitter and get the whole lowdown and schedule the dates. I am hoping to plan for about February 2025. Is there anyone that has done one of these hunts? Is there any advice or things I should be thinking about or asking? Current plan is to use my 7mm Rem Mag, upgrade my scope which is on the docket anyways and currently looking at options, currently running Berger Hybrid Hunter 168gr but can work up something else if need be for any reason as I'm not necessarily locked into those.
 


Kurtr

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Never hunted but heard they are tough keep shooting till down and they live in some rough country. Good luck take alot of pictures
 

luvcatchingbass

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Never hunted but heard they are tough keep shooting till down and they live in some rough country. Good luck take alot of pictures
Yeah I have heard that their will to live is very high. It's the only darn sheep hunt I can afford to do, besides the ND Bighorn tag that I'm going to win this year ...muahaha... probably not.
 

Callem'In

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I have been trying to plan a Texas Aoudad hunt for the last few months, there are so many outfitters and varying prices that it was hard to decide who to go with for an outfitter. I had contacted Hosted Hunts and talked to a good guy that really helped sort things out and was about to pull the trigger on an outfitter he had been to 2-3 times and could describe everything to me so I knew what I was getting into and that the hunt style fit what I wanted to get out of the hunt. Well then I found out our Safari Club International Red River Valley Chapter had one coming up on live auction for out banquet that was held this past weekend so I bid on it and got the hunt, saved $2,000 from what I was looking at paying.
I still need to contact the outfitter and get the whole lowdown and schedule the dates. I am hoping to plan for about February 2025. Is there anyone that has done one of these hunts? Is there any advice or things I should be thinking about or asking? Current plan is to use my 7mm Rem Mag, upgrade my scope which is on the docket anyways and currently looking at options, currently running Berger Hybrid Hunter 168gr but can work up something else if need be for any reason as I'm not necessarily locked into those.
Congrats on winning this. I was at the SCI banquet and there were some good deals to be had.
 


bigsky2

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Hunting aoudad in TX can be anything from high fence over feeders to a true sheep type hunt in the mountains. I'd say the hunt can be what you make it. I did a "semi-guided" hunt in west Texas last year where they showed us around for a few hours and then turned us loose. You won't need to change anything with your rifle. I get the appeal of going to TX in the winter, but you might want to consider going in October. That's when the rut is. February would be good as well but October would be easier for find the big rams.
 

luvcatchingbass

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Congrats on winning this. I was at the SCI banquet and there were some good deals to be had.
Then you saw me running around or working the pluck a goose game. I'm glad I got this hunt at the price I did but it would have been nice to see some of the trips go a little higher, there were a lot that barely made it to what we owed for the ones that were not 100% donation.
Thank you for coming and supporting us. If you or anyone else you know that attended have any critiques on what you think we can improve on would you mind sending them to me in a PM.
 
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luvcatchingbass

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Hunting aoudad in TX can be anything from high fence over feeders to a true sheep type hunt in the mountains. I'd say the hunt can be what you make it. I did a "semi-guided" hunt in west Texas last year where they showed us around for a few hours and then turned us loose. You won't need to change anything with your rifle. I get the appeal of going to TX in the winter, but you might want to consider going in October. That's when the rut is. February would be good as well but October would be easier for find the big rams.
I have considered October but sometimes that is a very busy work time for me in the construction industry plus that is when I plan out my mule deer trip and hoping to make it 2 trips.
I figure this will be a chance to get my feet wet and I can always expand from there.
 

1lessdog

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Then you saw me running around or working the pluck a goose game. I'm glad I got this hunt at the price I did but it would have been nice to see some of the trips go a little higher, there were a lot that barely made it to what we owed for the ones that were not 100% donation.
Thank you for coming and supporting us. If you or anyone else you know that attended have any critiques on what you think we can improve on would you mind sending them to me in a PM.
You should let us know when they will be have there next banquet. Would be a fun evening.
 


luvcatchingbass

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You should let us know when they will be have there next banquet. Would be a fun evening.
Yeah I will make sure I do. For you west ND guys there is a chapter being started out there as well, I believe it is being called the rough riders. I have been very happy being a part of this chapter since it started. Good group of people, all different types of backgrounds, lots of different knowledge. I have learned a lot about things I never knew and things I thought I knew. We are always hoping to gain more members so if anyone has any interest in getting involved let me know, even just a little help goes a long ways. Such as our banquet there we had lots of volunteer help from the Fargo North Trap Team kids and parents
 

svnmag

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You won't break the bank with Fusion 162's. Both 150's and 162's group within a dime @100 from my old 77. They aren't interchangeable beyond 100 IME as POI has a 4in difference because of sorcery and witchcraft.
 

BrokenBackJack

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@luvcatchingbass
Will send you a PM for a buddy of mine here in Payson, that has hunted Aoudad a couple times in Texas.
The ranches he hunted on were thousands of acres and it was NOT a shoot over feed hunt either.
Great guy and give him a call.
 

Callem'In

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Then you saw me running around or working the pluck a goose game. I'm glad I got this hunt at the price I did but it would have been nice to see some of the trips go a little higher, there were a lot that barely made it to what we owed for the ones that were not 100% donation.
Thank you for coming and supporting us. If you or anyone else you know that attended have any critiques on what you think we can improve on would you mind sending them to me in a PM.
This years banquet was an improvement over last years. I purchased a few trips last year. I had purchased a table for Saturday and my group really had a great time.
 


luvcatchingbass

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So it's bullet selection time for reloading. Been doing lots of research and have read a gambit of opinions from ELD and Berger types being great for some to less desirable to guides (currently Bern shooting 168gr Federal loading just because) controlled expansion bullets like Accubond, Swift Scirocco, and mono bullets like Barnes. I've probably overloaded and started over thinking this. Probably going to work up a mono bullet as I used to run Barnes TSX/TTSX 140gr in my 7mm and 120gr in my 6.5-284 and never had any issues pretty much always watched all but 2 deer out of 10 or so drop, the other two where not just out of sight but walked right up to them.
I'm interested in the Badlands Bulldozer 2 140gr or maybe 150gr so wondering if anyone has experience in their bullets, how about Hornady CX bullets which they have 139gr and 150gr, can always go back to my Barnes, how about the Swift Scirocco? I like to tinker which can be a good and bad thing at the same time.
 

Tikka280ai

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So it's bullet selection time for reloading. Been doing lots of research and have read a gambit of opinions from ELD and Berger types being great for some to less desirable to guides (currently Bern shooting 168gr Federal loading just because) controlled expansion bullets like Accubond, Swift Scirocco, and mono bullets like Barnes. I've probably overloaded and started over thinking this. Probably going to work up a mono bullet as I used to run Barnes TSX/TTSX 140gr in my 7mm and 120gr in my 6.5-284 and never had any issues pretty much always watched all but 2 deer out of 10 or so drop, the other two where not just out of sight but walked right up to them.
I'm interested in the Badlands Bulldozer 2 140gr or maybe 150gr so wondering if anyone has experience in their bullets, how about Hornady CX bullets which they have 139gr and 150gr, can always go back to my Barnes, how about the Swift Scirocco? I like to tinker which can be a good and bad thing at the same time.
I load the 140 bulldozer in my 280ai 5 shots damn near touching if I do my part. Only shot 1 deer so far. Not ideal shot conditions and a bit rushed and he went 30 yards. Once opened up it was surprising he even moved after impact.
 

LBrandt

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LCB I have a 300 Rem win mag, scope less with a factory muzzle brake gathering dust that you can use if you want more dump power. That gun has dumped many elk and never had a whitetail take more than a step. Its stainless steel also. Never shot more than federal blue box in 150 grain in it. LB
 

Allen

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FWIW, while I get the quest for accuracy and lethality, I think we often put a little too much thought into it. I drew a ND moose tag this year and if everything goes well, I plan on shooting my moose with a 0.50 caliber, patched round ball. About 183 grains and lethal as hell to roughly 100 yds.

The Aoudad is roughly the size of a large muley or WT buck, anything that can kill a deer should serve you just fine once you are familiar with whatever load/bullet you choose.

Note, my backup rifle will be my 7 mm Rem Mag loaded with Barnes' TSX in 120 grains.

Really looking forward to reading about your overall experience with the Aoudad hunt!
 


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