Barbary Sheep in the Off-Season: How to Prepare for This Challenging Hunt Year-Round

Also known as aoudad, Barbary sheep are one of the most underrated - and most physically demanding - big game hunts in North America. These rugged animals inhabit the steep, rocky, sun-scorched terrain of southern New Mexico and West Texas, making them a true test of both grit and preparation.

At LOH Outfitters, we guide hunters every year in some of New Mexico’s most productive aoudad units. And we’ve seen one thing remain constant: the hunters who succeed are the ones who start preparing well before the season begins.

Here’s how you can use the off-season - spring through early winter - to prepare year-round for the ultimate Barbary sheep hunt.

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1. Train Your Legs and Lungs - Relentlessly

If you're planning to hunt Barbary sheep, know this: you will hike. A lot. These sheep thrive in the most inaccessible terrain possible, and reaching them requires strength, endurance, and mental toughness.

Off-season training priorities:

• Hike weekly with a 30-50 lb pack
• Include stair intervals or steep hill climbs
• Build leg strength with step-ups, lunges, and squats
• Add cardio sessions that simulate long climbs under load

Make sure to wear and train in the same boots and pack system you’ll use in the field. Break them in now - blisters during the hunt are a surefire way to ruin your shot at a mature ram.

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2. Glassing Is the Game: Train Your Eyes

Barbary sheep hunts are heavily glass-intensive. Rams blend in perfectly with their desert surroundings, and spotting one from over a mile away takes more than luck - it takes skill.

Build your glassing muscle during the off-season:

• Practice scanning ridgelines, boulders, and cliffs at long distance
• Use tripod-mounted binoculars and a spotting scope
• Work on slow, grid-based glassing patterns to avoid missing movement

Invest in good optics and practice using them now. Cheap glass will cause fatigue and missed opportunities in the field.

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3. Understand Aoudad Behavior Across Seasons

Unlike elk or deer, Barbary sheep don’t have a fixed rut or migratory pattern. They can breed year-round and often move based on food and weather conditions.

Understanding general patterns helps you plan smarter:

• Hot months = sheep are more likely to bed high during the day
• Colder months = better all-day movement and feeding behavior
• Rams often hang in bachelor groups away from ewes

Use the off-season to study Google Earth, OnX Hunt, or previous hunt data to pinpoint cliffs, saddles, and ridgelines that likely hold sheep.

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4. Prepare for Long-Range Shooting

Most Barbary sheep shots are taken between 200 and 400 yards - sometimes further, depending on terrain and wind. This isn’t the time to hope you’ll “get lucky.”

Off-season shooting checklist:

• Train at the range weekly at distances of 100-500 yards
• Use shooting sticks, bipods, or pack rests in your training
• Practice from seated, kneeling, and prone positions
• Know your ballistics and zero your rifle for real-world conditions

Don’t wait until the night before the hunt to confirm your rifle setup. Your guide will get you into position - but you’ll need to make the shot count.

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5. Prepare Your Gear and Layering System

Weather during a Barbary sheep hunt can swing from cold mornings to scorching afternoons. Your clothing system needs to handle it all:

• Base layers that wick moisture and dry quickly
• Light mid-layers for cool glassing sessions
• Breathable outerwear with wind resistance

We often recommend gear from KUIU or Sitka for this style of hunt. Use your off-season to test layers, boots, packs, and optics in the field - not just in your backyard.

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6. Scout for Opportunities and Book Early

While Barbary sheep hunting is available year-round in New Mexico, prime hunts often book well in advance. Use your off-season to:

• Contact LOH Outfitters and secure your hunt dates
• Ask questions about terrain, unit access, and tag requirements
• Begin planning travel, logistics, and gear checklists

We offer hunts in top units where our guides have years of experience finding sheep in the roughest terrain. When you're prepared, you’re ready to take full advantage of what these hunts offer.

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Final Thoughts: Preparation Pays Off

Barbary sheep hunting isn’t for the uncommitted. It’s hot, dusty, rocky, and often humbling - but it’s also one of the most rewarding hunts you’ll ever experience.

By training and preparing during the off-season, you’ll show up in the best shape possible - physically, mentally, and logistically. That preparation can be the difference between a missed opportunity and a trophy ram on the ground.

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Book Your Aoudad Hunt with LOH Outfitters

At LOH Outfitters, we specialize in guided Barbary sheep hunts across New Mexico’s most productive units. From steep cliffs to high mesas, our guides know where the sheep live - and how to get you there safely and successfully.

Contact us today to lock in your hunt dates and start your off-season preparation the right way.