Why Texas is Letting Hunters Shoot Aoudad Sheep from a Helicopter
Texas lawmakers have given the green light for hunters to legally shoot an invasive sheep from a helicopter starting in September.
( Correction: This previous article incorrectly reported that shooting invasive sheep was allowed for sport. It's for land management purposes only.)
About the Barbary Sheep or Aoudad Sheep
The Barbary sheep, also known as Aoudad sheep, joins the coyote and feral hogs on a short list that can be shot from a helicopter starting this September. The brown-colored Barbary sheep are large in stature, with huge horns that curl out and a massive mane that flows from the bottom of their neck to their belly.
According to the Texas Tribune, the invasive sheep are native to the northern African Barbary coast, but in the 1950s, they were brought into West Texas, where they have been grazing on vegetation.
Over the years, the sheep invasion has become difficult for ranchers to manage because the sheep are breeding faster than they can maintain them with a basic domestic hunt.
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the "aoudad are an invasive species that compete with native mule deer and bighorn sheep for resources, damage habitats and transmit diseases to native herds."
The sheep are not only diminishing food resources for Texas wildlife, but they're also damaging fences and property because they jump over them, which costs thousands of dollars to repair or replace.
Hunting by Helicopter is Not Cheap
The Aoudad sheep are also known to carry diseases that affect other wildlife including native bighorns, putting conservation at risk.
"This new legislation will allow aoudad to be removed from the landscape from a helicopter for land management purposes only," according to a statement from Texas Parks & Wildlife. They also stated "Wildlife and Law Enforcement Division staff are currently working on a proposal with language that would clarify the implementation of this law for landowners statewide. This will then be presented to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to be added to the Texas Administrative Code."
However, hunting by helicopter is not cheap; some companies charge around $1,000 per hour for the hunting excursion. The U.S Department of Agriculture reports that when done correctly, hunting from a helicopter has been successful in reducing the population by at least 31 percent. It's nearly impossible to eradicate all of the herd because they are so spread out in New Mexico and Mexico.
According to KHOU, the new law for hunting by helicopter in Texas goes into effect on September 1, 2025. Landowners must have the proper permits and follow all rules and regulations handed down by the Texas Department of Wildlife.
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