Sierra Pajaros Azules, Candela, Coahuila, Mexico (Location on a Map)
The makings of this hunt go back to at least a couple of years, when clearly with no budget for North American sheep or Mountain Goat, we began scouring opportunities for a mountain hunt experience close to home; the ideal scenario: free range Aoudad in the mountains of northeastern Mexico.
We asked around for good ranches and outfitters, and found that the Mimbre Ranch, in Candela, had the desirable elements: a hell of a physical challenge, healthy population, a 50%-ish success ratio and owned by a reputable old school family (which in Mexico is of paramount importance). We scheduled our 4 day hunt for mid October since we figured the scorching heat of the Mexican desert would be mostly gone by then (wrong!). Our four man group was cut in half given unexpected work and family reasons, but two hunters still made sense and shooting opportunities, if any, would be greater. Eugenio and I were ready.
Typical street in Candela, Coahuila
I had heard stories of the Aoudad's super strength, stamina and will to live (kind of a small elk), so I loaded up my favorite (and only) mountain rifle, a McMillan stocked Sako 85 Finnlight, with 180 grain pills in .300 WSM. Additional packing included light mountain gear and tough gaiters, since every plant form on those hills wants to stab you to death!!
Calf-killer Lechuguilla
We left Monterrey's airport straight for the town of Candela, where we were received by the ranch owner, Don Gilberto Urteaga, in his 200 year old Mexican mansion (15 plus rooms). The property had been at its peak in the 1910's, but got severely damaged during the Mexican revolution. The family has branched out of Candela and the house is now a work in progress to restore it to its former glory. After a quick lunch, off we went to the base of the mountain range we were to hunt, where our three colorful guides were waiting for us. I could swear these burly mountain men were half human / half Aoudad, from the way they effortlessly climbed with tons of gear on top of them (they were carrying camp).
Our first hourlong climb took us to the campsite, where we set up tents and cooking gear, only to find the cookware missing, left at the pickup truck. Manuel, the head guide, went back for it in a flash. As he was coming back, Eugenio and I were peacefully eating sardines when a rattlesnake started flashing its peculiar sound at him, not 20 yards from where we were sitting!! The three men went to work on it and had it in the grill in no time, Manuel unveiled an additional two rattlers he "picked up" on the way back to the campsite. Suddenly my gaiters were not so tough....
Modest Campsite
Dinner for Manuel
Dawn found us feasting on egg, bean and chorizo tacos, suitable carbs for the big day ahead. As soon as clouds cleared up, we started the four hour climb to "El Salero", a salt lick frequently visited by a band of goats. We branched out in two teams to cover more of the deep canyons that intersected the range, with me taking an old vaquero by the name of Baldo. The morning sun was shining hot, with temperatures in the mid nineties (so much for our weather planning) and not an animal in sight. As we reached the salt lick that was lauded as a sure thing by everybody in camp, again, not a goat in sight. We waited for the second team to arrive there, as Eugenio was eager to test the limits of his Gunwerks 7mm Rem Mag and the canyons could easily provide 700 plus yard shots.
On Our Way Up
The View From the Salt Lick
After a thorough glassing of everything in sight, we deemed the range Aoudad-less. Morale was low and we were pretty worn out, but there still remained a couple of canyons to discover and some 1200 feet to climb to reach the top. Let's just say Eugenio's physical condition was not optimal, so he decided to stay there, relaxing and enjoying the view.
Eugenio Improving his Condition
Baldo and I started huffing and puffing our way up and right before nearing the top, he whistles and waves at me to come over: a ram, a single one, was peeking its head from a ridge 700 yards away, and the guy spotted this with his naked eyes. I hadn't seen a live Aoudad before, awesome sight. It went back and we waited for an hour for a showing, then out of the same place came a couple of ewes with little ones, then some more, until they totaled about 20. At that moment, the big one appeared, the body and horns were noticeably bigger and thicker. I ranged him too far for a shot and we just watched them pour - 40 total, two rams including the big one.
Baldo and Me
After 30 minutes, the band had wandered about a hundred yards closer and lower. I spotted a big rock to our left that could work as a steady rest and, being 200 yards away, would close the distance even further. We made a run for it, hidden from the goats on the other side of the canyon; upon arrival, we peeked over, seeing the big ram - range: 340 yards. It was time to make it count, I slid one in the chamber, took a rest and squeezed gently. The sound of a thud came back, a bit high, I had overcompensated given the downward shot angle. Instinctively chambering another round, another hit, this time in the boiler room for sure, the goat stopped and a third one sailed his way. He was on the ground, stone dead!!! My legs started shaking and I hugged Baldo like a long lost relative....
The Aoudad Lays to the North of my Finger
It was impossible for us to recover the goat before sundown, so we proceeded to descend the mountain through a different, shorter but steeper route. After meeting with Eugenio, no more than 50 yards passed and another rattler was right in our path, needless to say, my eyes were wide open all the way down. I have to confess that I was mush after the killer climbs and descents. The guides recovered the big animal the day after, and I traded the full body pictures for a warm bed and 12 hours of sleep...
Happy as a Puppy, the Pajaros Azules Mountain Range in the Back
The Ram had 13 inch Bases
Hard Earned Trophy
