Bighorn sheep were exterminated from the state by 1915 but have made a comeback due to transplant efforts. Now Oregon is well-known among sheep hunting aficionados for some of the great rams that have been taken in the high mountains and steep canyons. Hunters have taken many excellent rams large enough to qualify for listing in the Boone and Crockett Club’s record book. Sheep are still not abundant in the Beaver State but are holding their own. Sheep hunting can be physically difficult, but it’s often said that the hardest part about hunting bighorns is drawing a tag. Few are issued, and many hunters apply for each one. In addition to tags issued through the state’s annual computer permit lottery, the state usually issues a tag to be sold at auction or in the statewide raffle. The state issues a minimum of 5% and a maximum of 10% of bighorn tags to nonresidents, but they can all be California bighorn tags.
License Costs
|
Resident |
Nonresident |
Bighorn Sheep tag |
$142 |
$1513.50 |
Controlled hunt application fee |
$8 |
$8 |
| Resident | Nonresident |
Bighorn Sheep tag | $142 | $1513.50 |
Controlled hunt application fee | $8 | $8 |
News, notes and alerts
Applicants must buy a hunting license
Hunters can afford to be selective
Usually only one hunter is in a unit
Highlights
Seasons are short: 16 days maximum
Some terrain is among the steepest anywhere
Hells Canyon, one area with bighorns, is the deepest river gorge in North America
Most areas are open in late September
Boone and Crockett entries
** Boone and Crockett classifies Rocky Mountain Bighorns and California Bighorns under the same classification. Units below may include Rocky Mountain Bighorns. Units listed below may not have a current hunt for this species. Units in this table are considered if any part of the unit is found within any part of the county.
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