Bighorn Sheep
hunting regulations.
Huntable in 16 states, 16 draw / limited entry. Click any state for the state-specific page.
Bighorn sheep occupy the rocky, broken alpine country of the Western mountains — the Rockies, the Sierra Nevada, and the desert ranges of the Southwest. Three subspecies exist: Rocky Mountain, California, and desert bighorn. Mature rams weigh 200-300 pounds and carry massive curling horns that hunters age by counting growth rings. Populations crashed in the 1800s and 1900s from market hunting and disease but have recovered significantly through translocation work.
A bighorn sheep tag is one of the most coveted draws in North American hunting — most states see odds well below 1% for non-residents. Sheep hunting is physically punishing alpine work, often weeks of glassing across drainages from rocky vantage points. A successful tag-holder is one of a small fraternity of hunters each year. Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah all hold sheep populations with limited-draw seasons.
Hunting regulations change. The information on this page reflects what we know about species presence and hunt availability based on state agency listings. For current season dates, bag limits, weapon restrictions, tag requirements, and reporting obligations, verify directly with your state wildlife agency. You are responsible for confirming current regulations before hunting.
Where bighorn sheep can be hunted
16 states- AlaskaAlaska Department of Fish and GameDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- ArizonaArizona Game and Fish DepartmentDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- CaliforniaCalifornia Department of Fish and WildlifeDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- ColoradoColorado Parks and WildlifeDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- IdahoIdaho Department of Fish and GameDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- MontanaMontana Fish, Wildlife & ParksDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- NebraskaNebraska Game and Parks CommissionDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- NevadaNevada Department of WildlifeDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- New MexicoNew Mexico Department of Game and FishDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- North DakotaND Game and Fish DepartmentDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- OregonOregon Department of Fish and WildlifeDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- South DakotaSD Game, Fish and ParksDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- TexasTexas Parks and WildlifeDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- UtahUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- WashingtonWashington Department of Fish and WildlifeDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- WyomingWyoming Game and Fish DepartmentDDraw / limited entryVerify →
Browse all species or download Bield: Hunt to start tracking sits and patterns by species and zone.