Next up is the Aoudad Ammotragus lervia, sometimes incorrectly called Barbary Sheep.
The Aoudad, as is suggested by its common name, is native to North Africa and is the only animal of its genus in Africa. It is actually not a sheep, but a distinct species, more closely related to true goats (genus Capra). The only other similar animals found on the African continent are two species of true Ibex: Nubian Ibex (native to the Sinai and the Arabian peninsula) and a variant called the Walia Ibex (native to Ethiopia).
Aoudad have been successfully introduced in North America. There are large wild populations in Texas, the Desert Southwest and Spain. Aoudad could undoubtedly thrive in many other areas, but their prolific breeding and aggressive nature have been detrimental to many native species. These facts make Aoudad undesirable in many ecosystems. Indeed in North America, Aoudad are heavily hunted and even eradicated in some areas for this very reason. Despite these unfortunate qualities, Aoudad are splendid game animals and are always a challenging quarry.
Aoudad are distinguished by their massive, supra-cervical horns. Both sexes have horns with those of the male being much more massive and generally much longer than the female. A good trophy male will have horns of 30" or better. Some exceptional specimens have horns longer than 3 feet and there are a handful approaching 40" in the record books. though native to Africa, Aoudad have fared so well in North America that the very largest specimens are taken there. In fact the Aoudad has become so well established in North America that trophies taken here can be entered in the Rowland Ward recod book of African game. To my knowledge this is the only exception Rowland Ward has made to the listing of African game not taken in Africa. The horns are quite massive and wrinkled proximally to the skull. The horns typically flare out in a large semi-circle and curl back above the neck. The horns are conical for most of their length with the last few inches being flattened.
These flattened surfaces are used in a unique fashion. Aoudad are very fond of taking dust baths. This behavior is assumed to be a means of deterring insects and other parasites. During the course of this dust wallowing, I have personally observed Aoudad use the flattened horn tips to scoop up small amounts of dirt and sprinkle it along their backs. This is a unique behavior which I have not witnessed in any similar species.
Another prominent feature is the long, coarse hair that grows profusely from the throat to the chest and along the front legs of mature males. This feature is commonly referred to as "chaps" and it is a very apt description of its appearance. The chaps are of such character and distinction that they are considered a secondary trophy. From this point of view, it is similar to the full mane coveted by hunters in the lion. In fact, the most commonly seen mounts of Aoudad are the so-called half-life size styles which show off the unique chaps that would otherwise be lost on a shoulder mount.
A big male Aoudad can reach 3 feet or more at the withers and can weigh up to 300lbs. They have massive forequarters and a deep chest. Aoudad have a short, dense coat of light brown or taupe hair. Older males may even be several shades darker, this of course may be attributable to the Aoudad's affinity for dirt wallowing. I am unable to detect any significant difference in the thickness or quality of the pelage from winter to summer. The chaps of the mature male are retained all year. As true, horned game, Aoudad are huntable year round.
Aoudad are extremely wary and very tough animals. Shots may be long and even when well hit Aoudad can travel surprisingly far in very rugged terrain. While I have seen mature Aoudad taken with the .243 Win, I believe that such a round is generally far too light for such a massive and hardy animal. As usual the .270 Win will do a fine job, but a hunter who can handle the .300 Magnums well will not be overgunned, especially if ranges tend to be long.
We'll be back again soon with more members of the Exotics, until then, so long!
