Armenian mouflon

Scientific name: Ovis gmelini

How weight is recorded: Carcass weight

Field notes

Appearance

Males are significantly larger with prominent, heavy curved horns; females are smaller and hornless or with small spikes. Both sexes have short, dense coats ranging from reddish-brown to dark brown, with lighter undersides and distinctive dark dorsal stripe.

Size and weight

Males: 75–100 kg, 130–150 cm body length; females: 40–55 kg, 110–130 cm body length.

Habitat

Armenian mouflon inhabit rocky, semi-arid mountain slopes with sparse scrub, grass, and low vegetation. They prefer elevations between 1,500–3,500 meters with access to water sources and escape terrain.

Distribution

Endemic to the Armenian Highlands, now fragmented across Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkey. Found in open mountain steppe and rocky scrubland with minimal tree cover.

Diet

Primarily grasses, sedges, and low herbs in spring–summer; shift to shrub browse, lichen, and woody vegetation in autumn–winter.

Behaviour

Crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk; diurnal in undisturbed areas. Form small mixed herds in winter (4–15 individuals); males often solitary or in bachelor groups outside rut. Highly mobile with strong site fidelity to summer and winter ranges.

Hunting tips

Look for fresh tracks (split-hoof, ~5–6 cm) and dark, cylindrical droppings on ridges and saddles where mouflon transit between pastures. Approach steep, rocky slopes at first light; use terrain folds and rock outcrops for cover while scanning for animals silhouetted on high ground. Stalk cautiously into wind, as mouflon have excellent vision and often flee upslope at first alarm.

Carcass weight

This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 3 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.