iSportsman Staff

Here at iSportsman, we work with some pretty seasoned outdoorsmen, but even those with 30+ years’ experience under the belts have shared the opinion that sheep hunts are luxury hunts—and something they even haven’t checked off their bucket list! Which is probably why hunting the Texas Aoudad has gained so much buzz lately, as it’s often considered the ‘poor man’s sheep hunt’. Aside from the allure of a more budget friendly price point, what exactly is the deal with aoudad hunting? 

Better yet, what is the deal with aoudad? Like, how do you even say that? 

Answer: “Ow-Dad” Which I never would’ve guessed.  

All About Aoudad 

Aoudad, also known as barbary sheep, are a native African species that is now a popular game animal on the many hunting ranches across Texas — and thrives in more abundance than it does back on its native continent. Often described as ‘sporty’, ‘challenging’, and one of the ‘most fun’ hunts you can book yourself. If you’re into high elevation hunts in rocky terrain, utilizing skilled marksmanship taking shots beginning at a 400-yard range, these massive sheep make not only an impressive mantlepiece but also an unforgettable hunting story.  

The Price of the ‘Poor Man’s Sheep Hunt’ 

With this common turn of phrase, one would assume that hunting an aoudad would run about as much as getting a deer tag and heading to your uncle’s favorite spot for the day — right? Wrong. Despite this popular vernacular, we found the average cost of an aoudad hunt to be around $6,700 — proving that the experience of poverty is relative — I guess?! But never mind this, because we have you covered. 

Earlier in 2024, subscribers to the iSportsman newsletter — a bi-weekly newsletter that shares the latest outdoor news directly to you — learned how to enter the Fort Bliss Texas Aoudad Lottery through iSportsman for zero dollars.  And while that lottery entry period has already come and went, you can subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to hear of other such opportunities. 

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Like this one, hosted through Texas Parks and Wildlife: 

The Trans-Pecos Aoudad Adventure is an aoudad hunt that provides the challenge of tracking free-range mature male rams in the Chihuahuan Desert. This guided hunt is for four nights, 3.5 days, and includes food and lodging through Wildlife Systems, Inc. Plus, you can bring one non-hunting plus one. But best of all, entry is only $10. 

Don’t click the link yet, entry opens May 15, 2025. However, there is no limit on the number of entries you can submit so you can budget how many you’d be interested in now and read the rules for entry if you’re into that kind of thing. 

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