Barbary Sheep unit 29/30

odukecity505o

odukecity505o

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I drew unit 29/30 barbary sheep any one have any advice on where to start? I am going to be scouting now until December! But I don't even know where to start looks like it is hard access any area the sheep would be. I would appreciate any pointers.
 
Muleman said:
I would start in units 29 and 30:unsure:. Just go to the desert mountains there you will find them if you put in the effort.
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I definitely plan on putting in a ton of effort this hunt. Will be out scouting every chance I get from now till December. Was look what are the best access points for the new everything looks deep in there and hard to access.
 
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That is BIG country ! I’ve seen them over on the next ridge then, after hiking up and down a steep canyon you find out there are 3 canyons you couldn’t see that you have to hump. Plan on some wind. You need good boots because the ground is covered with stone and rock, grass, thorns, yucca, prickle pair. That country is rougher on boots than any place I’ve ever hunted in NM. If you see one at the bottom of a big canyon I would study it for a minute because you have to haul it back up and out. Those sheep will run up and down the steep, nasty rock canyons like it’s a flat golf course.
 
7684A8BD-09C4-4EE7-AE9B-1A0D37142A8A.png

Best units in the state for Barbary imo. Missed this guy at 30 yards with my bow back in January
 
I recommend you plan to backpack hunt them with a bivey and plan to sleep with the sheep. That country is too rough to go in and out daily. At least where I have killed them. By the time you get there it is time to head out before dark. I would not recommend traversing that crap in the dark. Also those units get some ugly weather so go prepared
 
Mudbull said:
I recommend you plan to backpack hunt them with a bivey and plan to sleep with the sheep. That country is too rough to go in and out daily. At least where I have killed them. By the time you get there it is time to head out before dark. I would not recommend traversing that crap in the dark. Also those units get some ugly weather so go prepared
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Best advice I’ve seen yet!
 
Mudbull said:
I recommend you plan to backpack hunt them with a bivey and plan to sleep with the sheep. That country is too rough to go in and out daily. At least where I have killed them. By the time you get there it is time to head out before dark. I would not recommend traversing that crap in the dark. Also those units get some ugly weather so go prepared
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Ya I was thinking having my trailer as a base camp and getting deep back In there and sleep out there for a few days at a time! What is the weather like down there in December?
 
Usually 30s over night 50’s to low 70‘s in the afternoon. The temp usually isn’t a problem but the wind can be 30 - 40 mph with gust to 50- 60 and then some days no wind. I’ve seen days there was fog so thick you couldn’t see until close to 10 am then the next day blue skies at first light.
 
Definately a challenging hunt. Wasn't sure how I would like hunting Barbary, but honestly one of my favorite hunts due to the environment they live in and how cool they are up close. I read they were not good to eat, but I like their meat as well, definitely has goat flavor to it.
 
muleyjunkie said:
Some guy named Paul tried to kill me in the desert. Made me hike all day, scale sheer cliffs, and pack out a sheep in the worst terrain ever.
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If that day didnt make you swear off Barbary hunting I guess nothing will. I think we used an entire dead yucca to cover up the carnage your .338 did. That was not a very pretty site. Thinking maybe one lesson learned was bring a lighter rifle?
That was a long rough day if I recall. Started hours before daylight and ended well after dark. the hits just kept coming that day.
 
NMPaul said:
If that day didnt make you swear off Barbary hunting I guess nothing will. I think we used an entire dead yucca to cover up the carnage your .338 did. That was not a very pretty site. Thinking maybe one lesson learned was bring a lighter rifle?
That was a long rough day if I recall. Started hours before daylight and ended well after dark. the hits just kept coming that day.
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Those days are the most appreciated later on down the line!
 
I drew the 29/30 tag for February. I have only seen barbary once when hunting Javelina on McGregor range. I need some pointers too. Might drop some PMs to some of the folks on this thread.

Is there anywhere I can read about them? I got steep and rocky, but do they need water? What do they eat? What are they doing in February?
 
fmarrs3 said:
I drew the 29/30 tag for February. I have only seen barbary once when hunting Javelina on McGregor range. I need some pointers too. Might drop some PMs to some of the folks on this thread.

Is there anywhere I can read about them? I got steep and rocky, but do they need water? What do they eat? What are they doing in February?
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I dont think I would focus on where they feed and water. Rather focus on where they feel safe from being shot. Remote areas. Places that are not easily accessed.
Glassing game.
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone! I am going to be going down there for the first time in a few weeks to scout. I will definitely keep everyone posted up until after the hunt! Let's hope all of us that drew the hunt get on some sheep!!!
 
Been out here in unit 30 since Sunday and haven't seen anything but 5 does lol. All the hunters I have talked to haven't seen anything either. Starting to think there isn't much left in here. Idk how they give 1K plus deers tags out for this unit.
 
odukecity505o said:
Been out here in unit 30 since Sunday and haven't seen anything but 5 does lol. All the hunters I have talked to haven't seen anything either. Starting to think there isn't much left in here. Idk how they give 1K plus deers tags out for this unit.
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You haven’t seen any sheep?
 
Barbary NM public land is a tough hunt. Very hard to go first time ever and be successful . After a few times you normally manage to find sheep every day. That being said the hunt isn't getting any easier. Really study ONX to find true roadless areas. Then be a couple miles back on good mountains to glass before glassing light. Cows are good. That mean s there is water in the area. doesn't always have to be mountains. Rugged canyons hold sheep also.
 

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