Feral Sheep
ovis aries
Nomenclature
Male: Ram
Female: Ewe
Young: Lamb
Size
Variable depending on breed. Males up to 780 mm shoulder height and weighing as much as 66 kg; females about 700 mm and 40–60 kg.
Colour
Colour varies with the breed from white, dark brown to black or parti-coloured.
Horns
Both sexes may carry horns. Ewe horns are slender, erect and curve backwards, whereas ram horns are much larger, curving back and spiralling outwards for up to two turns. Some sheep of both sexes may have “scurs” instead of visible horns. These are small horny growths on the frontal bones, often hidden in wool and not visible.
Rifle and calibre
.243 or larger with good hitting energy is recommended because feral sheep are medium-sized animals often covered in thick fleece.
Record Trophy
DS 105 4/8 taken by Murray Rapson at Kakanui Mountains in 1979.
Record Book Qualification
70 Douglas Score.
