texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
cpen13, Huntinkid, garey, SteveG, justin77
72053 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,796
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,526
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,922
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics537,999
Posts9,731,599
Members87,053
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Desert Bighorn #8623093 06/18/22 03:07 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
D
Dave Scott Offline OP
Pro Tracker
OP Offline
Pro Tracker
D
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
I don't know much about these animals and I've never seen one. I started out in Colorado and have seen plenty of the Rocky Mountain Bighorn In any event I was reading the other day that sheep are pretty prolific
which got me wondering why it seems to be a very slow process to bring them back. I've been in Black gap and Elephant mountain but I've never seen any. Are cougars killing the young? Something else?

Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8623101 06/18/22 03:24 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,276
Creekrunner Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,276
Auodad are a huge problem. The state created the problem too.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8623102 06/18/22 03:30 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,470
BOBO the Clown Online Content
kind of a big deal
Online Content
kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,470
Originally Posted by Dave Scott
I don't know much about these animals and I've never seen one. I started out in Colorado and have seen plenty of the Rocky Mountain Bighorn In any event I was reading the other day that sheep are pretty prolific
which got me wondering why it seems to be a very slow process to bring them back. I've been in Black gap and Elephant mountain but I've never seen any. Are cougars killing the young? Something else?


Big horn both Rocky and Desert are growing nation wide, but there is starting to be some major issues with urbanization issues and domestic livestock disease transfer(again).

I’ve seen a lot of wild sheep, but I spent a lot of time in Sheep range. I was really excited to see Desert sheep not far from my ranch in the Panhandle a few years back. It really made me smile seeing them back in the high plains.

They are not near as prolific as Aoudad or domestic sheep, unfortunately


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/gtgoh/mobile
Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8623179 06/18/22 06:32 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,687
S
SherpaPhil Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
S
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,687
They are really susceptible to pneumonia transferred from domestic. You can spend 20 years building a herd, and one wondering ram can go visit a herd of domestic sheep, bring it back to the wild herd, and wipe them all out.

Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Creekrunner] #8623206 06/18/22 07:16 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,948
T
txtrophy85 Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,948
Originally Posted by Creekrunner
Auodad are a huge problem. The state created the problem too.



Aoudad are way cooler than desert bighorn…..#yeahisaidit


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8623210 06/18/22 07:20 PM
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,272
B
Biscuit Online Shocked
THF Celebrity
Online Shocked
THF Celebrity
B
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 19,272
I can’t wait to hunt one of those wide aoudad, just the hunt in the mountains will be worth it

Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8623218 06/18/22 07:35 PM
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,241
Q
QMC SW/EXW Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
Q
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,241
I have seen them in both NV and AZ. I'd like to hunt one but tags are very difficult to get and I don't have $70K to drop for a hunt in MX. Years ago I got a bighorn in CO and a Stone in BC, I also got a mountain goat in CO. I think my sheep hunting days are over since my next birthday will be #60. I leave that sort of thing for the younger hunters.


Retired Navy Chief
NJROTC Instructor for Tascosa High School
Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8623248 06/18/22 08:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,526
S
SnakeWrangler Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,526
Saw some west of Taos NM crossing the Rio Grande on hwy 64…both rams had ID collars on…


Originally Posted by Sneaky
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored]
Originally Posted by beaversnipe
Actually, BBC is pretty damn good

"You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8623298 06/18/22 09:26 PM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,800
T
TexasKC Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
T
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,800
I can't find the picture so you’ll have to take my word for it but back in '78 we were sitting in my truck outside of Ouray Colorado when a bighorn ram came up to me a took an apple out of my hand. I couldn't believe how big they are. IIRC there were 8 or 9 rams in the bunch and none of them were particularly skittish.


In the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years.
Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: QMC SW/EXW] #8623306 06/18/22 09:43 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,276
Creekrunner Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,276
Originally Posted by QMC SW/EXW
I have seen them in both NV and AZ. I'd like to hunt one but tags are very difficult to get and I don't have $70K to drop for a hunt in MX. Years ago I got a bighorn in CO and a Stone in BC, I also got a mountain goat in CO. I think my sheep hunting days are over since my next birthday will be #60. I leave that sort of thing for the younger hunters.


There's tags to be had here in Texas for only 10K more than that MX hunt. eek2 You only go 'round once.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8623439 06/19/22 02:13 AM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,948
T
txtrophy85 Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,948
Saw these a few days ago in Idaho. Got to within 30 yards of them.

Awesome sheep

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Creekrunner] #8623471 06/19/22 02:58 AM
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,241
Q
QMC SW/EXW Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
Q
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,241
Originally Posted by Creekrunner
Originally Posted by QMC SW/EXW
I have seen them in both NV and AZ. I'd like to hunt one but tags are very difficult to get and I don't have $70K to drop for a hunt in MX. Years ago I got a bighorn in CO and a Stone in BC, I also got a mountain goat in CO. I think my sheep hunting days are over since my next birthday will be #60. I leave that sort of thing for the younger hunters.


There's tags to be had here in Texas for only 10K more than that MX hunt. eek2 You only go 'round once.


If I don't have $70K for MX then I don't have $80K for one in TX. As stated I leave the sheep hunting to the younger guys.


Retired Navy Chief
NJROTC Instructor for Tascosa High School
Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Creekrunner] #8623477 06/19/22 03:06 AM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
S
stxranchman Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
S
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
Originally Posted by Creekrunner
Auodad are a huge problem. The state created the problem too.

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ At the pace their numbers are expanding they are going to takeover and ruin a lot of great mule deer habitat if something is not done quickly about them.


Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?[Linked Image]
Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8623665 06/19/22 02:11 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,909
L
leswad Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
L
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,909
Texas Desert Bighorns

[Linked Image]


[Linked Image]

FJB
Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8623676 06/19/22 02:34 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,260
D
deerfeeder Online Happy
THF Celebrity
Online Happy
THF Celebrity
D
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,260
Years ago on FM 170, (1995?) from Presidio to Lajitas and Terlingua there were burros everywhere. The state eradicated them so they could transplant some Big Horns. I actually saw one on the Big Hill on 170 about 3 years ago making it's way back into the State Park. That happened within a quarter of a mile from where I saw one of the only two actual live mountain lions I've ever seen. When I was guiding we hunted Auodad. Stinky sobs.

Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8626035 06/22/22 08:52 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,099
T
TTT Ranch Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
T
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,099
I know some on here won’t believe me, but this was filmed on my family’s (my moms side) ranch a few years back. They’ve gotten a tag (that they sell) almost every year for the past 15+ years. My grandfather and his 2 brothers bought the land back in the 60’s for $8/acre. High West Outfitters specializes in sheep hunts in that Big Bend area and has over 1 million acres leased up.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s6WgrZrINqI

Last edited by TTT Ranch; 06/22/22 08:53 PM.
Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: TTT Ranch] #8626073 06/22/22 09:19 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,470
BOBO the Clown Online Content
kind of a big deal
Online Content
kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,470
Originally Posted by TTT Ranch
I know some on here won’t believe me, but this was filmed on my family’s (my moms side) ranch a few years back. They’ve gotten a tag (that they sell) almost every year for the past 15+ years. My grandfather and his 2 brothers bought the land back in the 60’s for $8/acre. High West Outfitters specializes in sheep hunts in that Big Bend area and has over 1 million acres leased up.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s6WgrZrINqI


I remember you stating this before. No one is going to doubt you. I love that country!!! True treasure


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/gtgoh/mobile
Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8626128 06/22/22 10:21 PM
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,208
H
Hudbone Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
H
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,208
Reminds of being at the Bullis Gap and the San Francisco. Absolutely awesome country.

Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8626233 06/23/22 12:05 AM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,464
F
freerange Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
F
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8,464
loved watching that. thanks


At some point in life its time to quit chasing the pot of gold and just enjoy the rainbow. FR
Keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. RWH
Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8626255 06/23/22 12:30 AM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,920
J
Jgraider Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
J
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,920
Awesome video in awesome country. Thanks for sharing that video, as desert bighorn's are my dream hunt.

Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8626286 06/23/22 01:03 AM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,088
T
tex70 Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
T
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,088
Awesome video TTT, thanks for posting

Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8626515 06/23/22 01:32 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,122
B
Black02z28 Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
B
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,122
As others said Auodad, hate those damn things. I wish TPWD would do more aerial culls.

Re: Desert Bighorn [Re: Dave Scott] #8626595 06/23/22 03:07 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
D
Dave Scott Offline OP
Pro Tracker
OP Offline
Pro Tracker
D
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,331
Thanks for sharing.

Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3