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Game Hunting In Africa: The Aoudad

If you’re ready for a hunting adventure targeting an agile trophy, consider the Aoudad!

The aoudad, also referred to as the Barbary sheep, is a mammal native to North Africa’s rocky mountain regions. Indigenous to Northern Africa, while bred and hunted as an exotic species in SA and USA, this game hunting specimen is a rare species to add to your trophy room. It is classified by the IUCN as “vulnerable” with declining numbers.

This agile sheep inhabits dry, mountainous, arid regions where it lives in small groups. Their groups consist of a dominant male, together with several females and their young. Breeding takes place throughout the year, with females able to bear two litters per year. The peak breeding period is September-November, with the gestation period roughly 154-161 days. Typically, one lamb is born, although twins are not uncommon.

This mammal is herbivorous, and their diet includes grass, shrubs, flowers, leaves, and young plants.

They are hunted by lions, leopards, and caracals. When threatened, they don’t run but stand dead still, in an effort to blend in and camouflage themselves.

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Ammotragus lervia

Male Weight:
88-308 pounds

Shoulder height:
31-39 inches

Range:
North Africa

Gestation Period:
154-161 days

Life span:
10-20 years

Hunting The Aoudad

Go on a adventure hunting the Aoudad

Size and Appearance

The aoudad is an extremely agile animal, with the ability to jump and climb with amazing ease. They can jump up to 6 ft, from a standing position, which assists them in navigating the treacherous, rocky mountain region they call home. When aoudad trophy hunting in Africa, look for a sheep whose coat is a sandy brown color. Their underbelly is lighter, while there is a darker line running down the back of the animal. They sport shaggy hair at the throat, which in males can extend down into the chest area. The upper and outer sections of the legs are grayish/reddish-brown. What makes this hunting adventure even more exciting, is that both sexes have horns. The horns curve outwards, backward, and then inwards and can reach lengths of 30-33 inches.

Hunting Methods

Game hunting safaris including mountainous regions are probably the most difficult hunting terrain, with lots of walking through the mountains and lots of searching for animals and glassing. A popular method used when barbary sheet hunting in Africa is the spot-and-stalk method.

Challenges and Rewards

The aoudad is a challenge when game hunting in Africa, with lots of walking through mountainous terrain and the rocky regions that the animal prefers, while glassing the areas and searching for the perfect specimen. But this hunting adventure is worth every step, with the reward of the large barbary sheep in your trophy room outweighing any tired legs!

Rifles and Requirements

Any medium-caliber rifle should work well on this hunting safari, with the hunter and rifle setup capable of shooting long distances. Typically, 200–500-yard shots would be taken, depending on the hunter's ability.