hunting exotic Mouflon rams hogs in Texas

"Hunting Trophy Mouflon Ram"..

This hunt was special we had hunter Dan Hasting Sr. and Son San hasting Jr. from Laredo Texas. Mr. Hastings had called me and told me he had purchased a hunt that I had donated to the Laredo Boys & Girls Club.

We decided to hunt in July when the rams are in the summer coats and full coloration as well a separation of the distinct lines can be seen.

When they arrived at the Ranch we talked about hunts we had in the past , types of rifles and our favorite calibers. As we started off and several Corsican rams, Texas Dalls but no Mouflons yet. We ran up some lechewe as well as elk and a herd of Catalina's.

Suddenly we ran across several Mouflons in the brush and they darted across the sendero. Since dusk was setting we decided that Saturday would be the a to hunt for Mouflons.

On Saturday morning we starting driving the senderos tying to spot the Mouflons. Since the herd and several herds run the ranch. Usually the best thing is to drive and spot followed by a stalk.

As we drove the ranch Mr. hasting and I spoke about his 7mm STW. How it performed and how it became a full cartridge from a wild cat several years ago. I tell him about the where to shoot the rams. I explained that they a tough and many forget that they have three stomachs. How a placed shot behind the shoulder on a buck would bring him down , with a ram you need to shoot in front of the shoulder. In order to bring down the animal.

By 10 am in the morning we spot the rams in two herds, in which we tired to get out of the mule. Only for them to dash away as we opened the doors. Basically there are too many eyes. Any movement we will make them run.

After trying this several times, we saw a very good ram whose horns outshined, Every ram that we have makes gold easy. By now the day had reached 102 by 12 noon. We broke for lunch and rearranged our game plan.

After Lunch we went out to see if we could spot another herd since they would be in hiding in the shade. it was so hot that by then the temperature had reached 109 and felt like 114. We spotted about every herd under the shade and the following picture will show you how hot is was.

The heat got to us as we spotted a herd with another set of great gold medal rams in the mix. Again we decided to try and stalk the rams again too many eyes. The wind was on our favor, we stalked in the shadow and still they got our movement. They bolted again.

Since the heat was upon us at its highest, we took a break. After 6pm we decided to head out the start searching for not a Gold Mouflon but an exceptional gold Ram.

We started off looking for them and to our behold none of the herds presented themselves. As we drove we the senderos. No Mouflons were around.

After glassing the brush we headed for the tanks to see what was around. We saw several Formosa Sika bucks in the shade as well a elk and yak. While we walked around the pond we stumbled across several fresh wallows and in front of us about 20 feet the Boar tank stepped up.

With a " where's my money Look" Mr. Hastings shot the huge Boar in the neck and down he went. I was in total amazement. Since I had told the story to Mr. Hastings and we searched earlier for the boar. Now its size was unbelievable.

As we looked at each other with WOW on our minds. We took a look and the wounds he had. the Arrow had not penetrated the fat layer, My shot had torn flesh out of his left leg but no real severe wounds existed. Were the boar laid was a hard spot for the three of us to get it to the sendero. Is was to heavy for us to drag.

Since back at the camp we had taxidermist Jesse Beckett and his Father installing the new walking cooler. They drove up in a forklift and aided us.

It took both the mule to drag the boar out o a clean sendero and a forklift to get that beast to camp.

AS soon as we finished unloading the tank of a boar. We headed of to see if we could finish the day with a good mouflon ram. As we drove the sendero we spotted several rams. Some were in the brush and we back up to try to flank them. To our surprise Murphy Law stopped and we were lookin at three very good gold medal rams in the sendero.

Quickly Mr Hasting's said, "that's the one." he got out and took aim and hit the ram with a very good placed shoulder shot that brought the ram down.

That was my first time that I had seen anyone bring down a Mouflon ram with one shot. Usually it takes two and a good track to bring this great looking Rams.

All in all this was a hunt to be remembered, Great company as well as a terrific story that will be told at camp fires for a long time.