Desert Bighorn Sheep

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Arizona is a top state for desert bighorn sheep hunting and produces rams scoring 160" Boone and Crockett every year, along with some rams exceeding 180”. Both the Mexicana and Nelsoni subspecies are found here. Conservative tag quotas have resulted in high sheep numbers. Predation, disease and severe drought are factors that negatively affect desert bighorns here.

License Costs

Resident permit tag

$313

Nonresident permit tag

$1,815

Resident Youth permit tag

$313

Nonresident Youth permit tag

$1,815

Resident permit tag

$313

Nonresident permit tag

$1,815

Resident Youth permit tag

$313

Nonresident Youth permit tag

$1,815

News, notes and alerts

  • As many as 10% of sheep tags are reserved for nonresidents

  • The most desired units are typically drawn by applicants with maximum bonus points

  • Nonresidents may apply for tags only in units with two or more tags

Highlights

  • Rams big enough to qualify for Boone and Crockett records are harvested annually

  • Most seasons take place in December

  • Bonus points can be used for either desert or Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep

  • You can mix Rocky Mountain and desert sheep choices on your application

  • Most hunting is physically difficult

  • Hire a guide or bring friends to help glass for sheep

Boone and Crockett entries

** Units listed below may not have a current hunt for this species. Units in this table are included if any part of the unit is found within the county.

County

Entries

Units in the county

Yuma

76

40B / 41 / 43B / 45A / 45B / 45C / 46B

Mohave

66

13A / 13B / 15B West / 15C / 15D / 16A / 16B / 18B

Pima

48

32 / 37A / 40A / 40B / 46A

Maricopa

46

22 / 24B / 31 / 32

La Paz

32

43A / 44B / 45A / 45B

Pinal

24

24B / 37A / 37B / 39 / 40A

County

Entries

Units in the county

Yuma

76

40B / 41 / 43B / 45A / 45B / 45C / 46B

Mohave

66

13A / 13B / 15B West / 15C / 15D / 16A / 16B / 18B

Pima

48

32 / 37A / 40A / 40B / 46A

Maricopa

46

22 / 24B / 31 / 32

La Paz

32

43A / 44B / 45A / 45B

Pinal

24

24B / 37A / 37B / 39 / 40A

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