A new law enacted in Texas last month will let hunters go after the huge, horned aoudad sheep via helicopter for sport.

The law goes into effect on Sept. 1 and targets a species of North African sheep that’s invasive — competing with local animals for grazing resources.

Hunting coyotes and feral hogs is also legal via helicopter in Texas.

In addition to grazing and running over fences, the sheep can spread a bacteria that causes pneumonia to commercial flocks of sheep and goats, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

The aoudad population has grown in part due to a lack of sufficient predators.

“Everything has to be kept in checks and balances. … There aren’t really any known predators to them in West Texas. A coyote is not going to take one down. The lion could take one down, but it’s going to be a fight. So they’re breeding faster than you can manage them with a straight hunt,” rancher Warren Cude told The Texas Tribune.

Aoudad sheep were introduced to Texas in 1957 and 1958, according to Texas Tech University’s Natural Science Research Laboratory. They were meant to serve as exotic game, the American-Statesman reported.

Once the new law goes into effect, hunters will be able to keep trophies from aoudad sheep after killing them from the air, hunting outfitter Michael McKinny told the Tribune.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.