Aoudad

[Shooter 250]

I am interested in hunting Aoudad in Texas and was hoping someone could point me in a good direction. I would like to do a self hunt instead of a guided hunt. Not that I am against guides. It is just getting to hard to find a place to hunt and the more people that use these services helps take more land out of the publics hands.

[Graybeard]

I think over 99% of Texas is privately owned. Most free range Aoudad are out in west Texas but the Hill Country has a lot of ranches that are not high fenced which might have any sort of exotic that has escaped from nearby high fenced ranches when storms or trees took down the fence.

Gaining access to private land is not cheap in TX and most want to guide you while on it to make sure you shoot only what you are paying to shoot and that if you wound you pay the full cost. Finding a place to let you just ramble on your own is not likely to be easy.

If you can afford a lease that is likely the best way to make it happen but leases are NOT cheap and finding one with auodad well good luck with that.

New Mexico has them free range on public land. I think it's a draw hunt and again not really cheap but if you draw you can hunt on your own and on public land so there is no added fees for that. Those are the only choices I'm aware of.

[JimFromTN]

I have been doing a little research on this lately.  Both Texas and New Mexico claim to have over 1 million acres of public land.  They both claim to have Aoudad on public land for you to hunt.  I think both require permits to hunt auodad.  I know New Mexico has over the counter tags but are $360 for nonresidents.  Depending on where you hunt in Texas, you may have to apply for a draw.  You need to do allot of homework.  If you don't have time to put in, then you are waisting your time and money.

The interesting thing about New Mexico is that they have Ibex and Oryx on their public lands but the want around $1600 for a permit to hunt them.

[Mohawk]

  Just remember, in Texas, Aoudad is not a game animal. They can be hunted anytime on private property. Landowner makes the rules, not the state. Same classification as wild hogs. Some good ranches here, but depending on what type of hunting experience you want, you will be satisfied. As far as public hunts....well, I wouldn't pack the gear too soon, it is very restricted.

[markc]

If you want to hunt public land in Texas, go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife web site and click on hunting.  All you need to know is there, including cost for the public lands permit, and the areas are listed.   

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/