my first aoudad hunt. how do i prepare?

[huntinfool87]

Ok next month I'm going on my first aoudad hunt it's a free range guided hunt with rhino outdoor adventures.I'm going to take 2 guns my 280. Rem. For the aoudad and my 257wby. Mag for hogs. Ill be shooting 165. Gr. Core lockt bullet for the aoudad. But I'm not real sure what more I will need. It sounds like we will be doing both blind hunting and spot and stock hunts. Is there anything I need other than the usual gear? Knife,pack,boots,rangefinder and so on. Any advice would be great as I have never hunted for aoudad or in Texas for that matter.

 

[LeonCarr]

Start walking...a lot. Aoudad are sheep and usually hang out in steep/rugged terrain.

Work up to walking with a pack and and climbing/descending hills. When walking/climbing wear the boots you will be wearing for the hunt. Well broke-in boots will make your walking much less painful.

Make sure that you put in some quality time on the range with your rifles and make sure they are sighted in with the load you will be hunting with.

Those first steps will go a long way to making your hunt a success. please let us know how it goes.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[huntinfool87]

I've done my best with the walking but here in Nebraska the hills just can't compare. I got new boots for Christmas and I'm doing my best to get them broke in. Thank you for the advice and I'll be sure to show pics

 

[Patocazador]

Go to a tall building with a 20+ lb. backpack load and climb 5 flights of stairs as many times as possible.
Take the lightest gun that's accurate.

 

[hoghunting]

Your .280 will work very well on hogs too.

 

[huntinfool87]

I might use it on them also it will be the only gun I carry until the aoudad is on the ground.

 

[Stony]

Depending on where in Texas you are hunting them, they can be no harder than deer hunting, and generally no big hills to climb. Hunting with an outfitter, they are probably not in an area like their ancestors had to live in. I am in charge of some property near Ozona, and they roam there freely. Your munitions are more than ample and you need take nothing special with you that you wouldn't take on a deer hunt....except maybe a tenderizing hammer if you plan on eating one.

 

[huntinfool87]

I will be hunting near Leakey tx. Looks pretty hilly from the videos. I have a draw behind my house and I have been goin up and down with my pack fully loaded and toting my 14 lbs long range rifle. I figure by next Month with my pack only holding hunting gear and my 280. Is only 5lbs it should feel light.

 

[Rnelson]

You will be hunting out of a blind and or driving around. I have been hunting Leakey for a long time and its not much different than regular Deer hunting. 280 should be good to go. Practice shots out to 300 and bring a range finder. I don't think you will be walking around much if all.

 

[BP Hunter]

Also practice shooting on different terrain and positions. I usually use a shooting stix which I can use in the kneeling position or on prone. Also use double socks to prevent blisters if you are planning to stalk alot. Good luck. Take pictures. We would love to see pictures.

I used to live in South Texas and my buddy gave me the keys to his 200 acre ranch where I junted javelina and pigs weekly and I saw auodads quite often. Once I stumbled upon a group of 7 just less than a 100 yards away. We were not given persmission to hunt them.