After being the first to bag a management animal, Nikita Dalke got the chance to hunt for a trophy, and she was successful once again.
Dalke claimed an Aoudad sheep in the latest episode of Extreme Huntress, as she faces off against five other female competitors for the title.
Dalke and her competitors filmed their experience at the 777 Ranch in Hondo, Texas over the summer. Episodes are being released on Sundays at www.extremehuntress.com.
Each competitor was given the choice of a management animal and a trophy animal over the course of the six day hunting affair.
Dalke chose the Aoudad—native to North Africa—because of it's uniqueness
"He looked pretty cool, they're neat-looking animals and I really liked the looks of him. The ranch manager said he was one of the hardest ones to hunt on the ranch, but it was mainly looks that made me want to try," Dalke said.
“They’re very skittish. They like to stay in thick stuff and if they hear a truck or people, they take off right away. The manager was with me on my hunt and when we were heading in there he said to be prepared for a 200-yard or more shot because that’s as close as you’ll get to them.”
She was able to get her chance at the Aoudad after spending most of the day with competitor Erika Bergmark, who was on the lookout for a deer.
After Bergmark was unsuccessful with her animal, the ranch manager suggested they head to another pasture that is frequented by the Aoudad.
“We only had 20 minutes left of light. We drove into the area and he stopped and he explained that it was a difficult animal and he was expecting a 200-yard or more shot,” said Dalke.
In jeeps, they drove into the pasture and happened across a herd of Aoudad, but spooked them away. Dalke and the group retreated back and re-entered on foot.
“I had to try to find them and between us and where they were, there was a big patch of trees,” Dalke said. “So I went around that, and then I decided to cut in and try to catch up to them.”
Using the patch of trees and thick brush as cover, Dalke was able to sneak up to as close as 30 yards, where she was able to pick out the largest ram and make a perfect shot.
Laws are in place to prevent the meat from crossing borders, but she plans to get a wall-pedestal mount for the ram.
Though it never made it onto the episode, Dalke raceived some pretty encouraging feedback from the ranch manager after the hunt.
“Another thing they didn’t put in the episode was the ranch manager was hunting with me and he said something to me that made me feel pretty good,” said Dalke. “He’s been running that ranch for decades and he said that was the best Aoudad hunt he’s ever been on.
“That made me feel pretty proud.”
Also as part of the episode, Christie Pisani bagged an impala with Kasi Geraci as a hunting partner. Margaret Botha had a good hunt with Amanda Caldwell, but was unable to find her Red Sheep.
Next week, Dalke and her competitors will take on the challenge of simulating a charging Cape Buffalo using a 375 H&H rifle.To vote for Nikita Dalke, go to http://www.extremehuntress.com/vote/ click on the vote tab, where you can submit a vote by email.