Magnum Guide Service - Aoudad Sheep Hunts Testimonials

Just wanted to drop you a warm and hearty thank you for this past week. Kevin and I truly enjoyed every aspect of our stay from your company, to Howard's hospitality, the gorgeous country and tour of the property and of course the hunting. Betty was great and we appreciate all her efforts to accommodate us. She is a great gal. I'll be working on the story tomorrow.
- Barbara Crown, Editor of The Hunting Report

Thanks again for helping Boyd achieve his World Slam! It's a beautiful sheep and we will have many fond memories of the entire hunt!
- Boyd & Jean Skille, AK

Thank you for setting up such a great aoudad hunt. It was totally awesome. Everything was perfectly handled from food, lodging and transportation to hunting expertise and trophy care. The ranch was excellent. The amount of different game including the deer and elk we were not hunting was great. But the best part was getting to hunt with Neil. You couldn't have picked a better match for a guide. What a great person and hunter he is. It is a hunt that I will remember for a long, long time to come!
- Brian Wigington, WY aka "Wig"

Now here’s an opportunity you probably haven’t considered. How about a trophy hunt for free-range elk? On private land? With no set report on just such an opportunity in West Texas. Miller hunted with Jim Roche of Magnum Guide Service (325-853-1555; www.magnumguideservice.com) and gives him an across-the-board excellent rating. In a note Miller included with his report, he writes: “I’ve hunted this ranch with Roche three times now. It’s near Marathon and has lots of water, so it holds quantities of animals, even in a drought. Whitetails inhabit the lowlands; the mountains hold large mule deer (5-1/2 years old and up) that are hunted once only each year; and there are free-ranging aoudad and a herd of free-ranging elk. Roche takes only one bull elk each year from this ranch, so the trophy quality is excellent. Elk are not considered game animals in Texas, so there are no seasons. That means you don’t have to draw a permit, and you can hunt the bugle without interference from other hunters. They have huge elk, 6 x 6 and better. “Last year I took an elk 6 x 5 on the last day of my hunt. I went back this past season to hunt the mulies. The rut was very late. We saw many young bucks with the good mature bucks appearing only on the last day. Bucks taken were mostly 5½-year-olds with one 7½-year-old buck in the group. “The aoudads on this ranch are of superior quality, and the hunting is challenging and fun, all spotting and stalking. The three other hunters with me stalked and took mature free-ranging aoudad from a herd of hundreds. I’d taken a 32-inch aoudad the previous year. The access is on good roads.” “I have hunted over 20 years with Roche. He is always hard working, dedicated and successful. He is also one of most ethical people I know. His hunts are a great value, as he is very selective with his leases. He researches properties well and helps landowners improve the habitat. He will be honest with you on the trophy quality available and season and no tag to draw? There are even additional opportunities for mule deer, javelina, feral hogs and predators, including mountain lion how hunting is done.” Intrigued by the mention of free-range elk in Texas, we called Jim Roche at press time to check the details. He says elk are indigenous to West Texas, all of the panhandle and mountain region. These are the same elk that once roamed the prairies. Now they are confined to small pockets south of Fort Stockton down to Marathon and west to about Vanhorn. Within that triangle, pockets of elk have been wild for years. Roche says a herd of 50–60 elk freely roam the property he hunts. Elk season is year round, with the rut running from late September into October. Hunters may use a rifle, bow or handgun. Roche charges $2,500 for a 1 x 1 hunt for four nights and three days, plus a $5,000 trophy fee for an elk. A mule deer hunt is $4,950. Add on aoudad for $2,500. The over-the-counter license costs $45 and is good for elk, aoudad and javelina. Mule deer require a $300 tag that is good for whitetail too. Roche says he runs close to 100 percent success on mature bulls that typically score in the 285–325 range.
- Submitted to The Hunting Report by Lew Miller

I wanted to take a moment and thank all of you for providing me with the memories of a lifetime. I’ve been on other guided hunts in the past but I now know what a professional outfit is all about – that is something you taught me. I’ve never experienced guides that were so concerned about the client's getting their trophies, combined with a lodging experience that makes everyone feel so at home. As soon as I get a chance to put together some of the awesome video shots I captured I will send you a copy. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and hope I’m fortunate to be able to hunt with you again in the future. Magnum Guide Service from top to bottom is truly a class act! Thanks again.
- Craig Heator, MO

We again had a hunting experience worthy of a story in any hunting magazine; WHAT A THRILL! You for years have been touting me to do a free range Aoudad hunt, but I said I already have one. I mistook a trophy collection with the fullest experience of a challenging hunt. It is a testament to your ethics to how many high level leases and ranches you've discovered and developed. Even knowing you as I do, I was overwhelmed with the continual investment and upgrade in equipment you make. The six wheel Polaris Ranger allowed us to go where the animals were on a very rugged mountainous ranch that I question if any person had ever been before. Equipment doesn't mean much without the skills to use it and the knowledge of where to go. Your skills and knowledge are unsurpassed. You have an organization that follows your high standards and your constant involvement assures that you are being replicated. The 07 Mule deer hunt is booked out but I've signed up for 08 as I've never seen so many high quality bucks; and that's not what we were hunting. After hunting with you for over 20 years and through many outfitters and guides going from Alaska to Canada to Africa and many states in the 48 I think I'm pretty knowledgeable. Well (pleasantly) I went to school again. You keep me mentally inspired, advised me on shot placement and moved my skills up and brought me success. I got a 32" ram, but more, I got another lifetime experience with a trusted friend. To anyone reading this....I pay the same as you do and I don't get any special treatment. If you want an experience and success hunting anything: call Magnum. You'll get more than you pay for.
- Lew Miller, TX

What can I say! When I booked my Aoudad hunt I viewed it as nothing more than a filler hunt between seasons. As it turned out, I experienced the most physically challenging adventure of my hunting career. I will never forget the all day stalk into B.C. Canyon and the vertical trek out with my trophy ram. You truly pushed me to the limit and taught me a whole new respect for this magnificent creature. Your attention to detail and commitment to your profession proved to be exceptional. For anyone looking for an affordable sheep hunt coupled with all the bells and whistles of a desert bighorn hunt, this is it.
- R.D.(Bubba) Belk, AL

I cannot put into words the gratitude and respect that I have for the both of you and the times and experiences that I have had in your company. I look forward to many more trips with you and my new family. I know, without a doubt, that any future hunts will always generate around Magnum Guide Service and the service you provide. I also wanted to thank you for the extensive effort you put forth on my free-ranging Aoudad hunt. I have never seen or heard of an outfitter putting a hunt package together for one person consisting of two guides for one hunter, an airplane and pilot, four wheel drive hunting truck with a high rack, camp cook/driver, and tracking dog for one man to hunt sheep. Not to mention that you provided all of this for the same rate as a ranch hunt for Aoudad sheep. Thank you both for all that you did and I look forward to being in your company soon.
- Steve Howell, AL