Aoudad Sheep

Aoudad Sheep
(Silvertine's Signature Species "Aoudad Sheep")

The Aoudad Sheep is species of goat-sheep also known as the Barbary Sheep. Indigenous to the Atlas Mountains, Chad and the Barbary Coast of Northern Africa, that is where they get their name. Although it is rare in its native North Africa, it has been introduced successfully to North America and elsewhere in Europe. The Aoudad is not really a sheep. The aoudad evenly bridges the biological distance between sheep and goats, but they are a true species, and not a hybrid. They have the traits of both sheep and goats.

Aoudad Sheep stand 2.6 to 3.3 ft tall at the shoulder and rams will weigh up to 300 lb. They are a sandy brown color, darkening with age, with a slightly lighter underbelly and a darker line along the back. The body and legs are a uniform reddish-brown or grayish-brown. They have a impressive neck mane on the throat extending down to the chest and encircling the front legs in males called "Chaps". They have a sparse mane. Their horns have a triangular shape that curve outwards, backwards then inwards, and can reach up to 30+" with 25" being a trophy Ram. The horns are smooth, but wrinkled at the base.

Aoudad sheep are very spooky and very agile and can achieve a standing jump of over 7 ft. Aoudad Sheep are very gregarious and form groups, often the older males all running together in bachelor groups. During the rut, however, the male groups break up, and then mixed groups form, with the dominant males usually become the leaders. The rutting males spar much as sheep do with pushing and head butting that produces earth shaking cracking sounds.

An adult male Aoudad is often one of the most challenging of the exotics to take, so prepare yourself for a exciting hunt.

SPECIAL NOTE:
Aoudad Hunting is very challenging and harvesting an Trophy Aoudad with Archery equipment is VERY difficult. Silvertine's diversified forest environment is the Ideal location for hunters to harvest their Aoudad Ram with Archery. Silvertine is one of the FEW places in North America where archery hunts for trophy Aoudad's is possible.

PLEASE NOTE: All exotics must be "pre-ordered" before the guest arrives, and the hunt booked for that specific species. All species of exotics will be of exceptional trophy class, scoring well in the SCI Record Books. Please contact me so we can discuss what your expectations are and what I can deliver. Meat only animals will not be of trophy class, and the price will reflect this.