Quick Tips
- Vehicle access limited to designated routes
Species | General Size | Trophy Potential |
---|---|---|
Desert Bighorn Sheep | 145"-160" | 160"+ |
On The Ground
Terrain
Vegetation
Access
Camping and Lodging
Historical Temperatures
High
Low
Species | General Size | Trophy Potential |
---|---|---|
Desert Bighorn Sheep | 145"-160" | 160"+ |
High
Low
This zone is located south of Interstate 40, between Barstow and Needles. California has some great Desert Bighorn Sheep. The areas that they inhabit are remote and desolate, just the way a sheep hunt should be.
In California, the desert bighorn is found in the dry, desert mountains of southeastern California.
The terrain in this zone is a wide range of open desert valleys, ridges and eroded canyons. The canyons and washes are deep and often extremely long, with exposed walls sloughing with erosion. Despite the harshness of the climate, you should see a wide variety of plants and animals adapted to life in the desert.
The vegetation through the zone is typical desolate desert country. Some of the various vegetation types you may encounter are the spiny-leaved Orocopia sage, Alverson's foxtail cactus, Orcutt's woody aster, and the Mecca aster.
The closest towns are Victorville and Needles. The main access to this unit will be on Interstate 40. The main roads that make up the borders of the unit are US Route 66 on the south side, Kelbaker Road to the east and Interstate 40 to the north. There are a few roads that branch off of the main roads to give access to the interior of the zone. Vehicle access is limited, plan on hiking a lot to find animals.
Most of the camping or lodging will be primitive remote camping. If you are planning to camp on the north side of Highway 40 there are a few camping restrictions in the Mojave National Preserve. Camping outside designated camping areas is permitted in BLM and NPS areas, as long as the site has been previously used as a camping area.
Roughly 201 square miles
96% public land
Elevations range from 1,000-2,600 feet