While the state can be known for Rocky Mountain bighorns, it is also known for its desert bighorns. The western part of the state has four units for desert bighorn sheep hunting. Around 10 tags per year are drawn by resident hunters and only one tag per year has been allocated for nonresidents. Many rams live along river drainages and canyons, making these hunts physically challenging. Rams reaching between 150-160” Boone and Crockett are common, but rams qualifying for the B&C awards book are rare. No preference points are associated with Colorado’s desert bighorn sheep, so drawing is completely random.
License Costs
Resident draw |
$366.13 |
Nonresident draw |
$2686.04* |
Resident draw | $366.13 |
Nonresident draw | $2686.04* |
* Includes annual fishing license
All license fees include a $0.25 search-and-rescue fee and a $1.50 fee for the Wildlife Education Fund, if applicable.
News, notes and alerts
Applications are submitted online
Can apply for either Rocky Mountain or desert bighorn sheep, not both
Unlike all other species in Colorado, desert sheep has no preference points
No landowner vouchers are available for desert sheep
All sheep must be inspected by a CPW officer within five working days of harvest
Highlights
Desert sheep areas have challenging terrain, plan to be in shape
Hiring an outfitter will improve odds of success on a better ram
Nonresidents typically harvest rams between 150-160” B&C
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.
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