Desert Bighorn Sheep

We are proud to offer hunting trips for the most prized big game species in North America, the desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana and nelsoni). Arizona has produced numerous large rams and stands up to being the top state as a quality producer. Like all states, Arizona bighorn sheep tags are by a lottery drawing. If you are lucky enough to draw this "coveted tag", you stand a great chance of getting a record-book head. Desert big horn sheep tags are limited to such an extent that Arizona only allows each hunter one desert bighorn sheep in a lifetime. Tags may be difficult to draw, so our possible hunters are encouraged to apply each year and build points until drawn. You never know when you will draw. Some hunters draw with one bonus point, which means it is truly luck-of-the-draw! If you have the itch for a beautiful desert ram and feel lucky enough to draw one of the "coveted tags," we have the hunt for you! Our master sheep guide, Pat Feldt and his assistants, have spent many years in the field with desert bighorn sheep and know them well. Pat is a member of the Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, has a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology and is very knowledgeable and experienced in locating, hunting, and judging bighorn sheep. Much of his and his assistants spare time is spent looking for and observing sheep, whether it is just for fun or trying to video another record-book ram. Pat's many years of sheep experience has allowed hunters to harvest exceptional quality bighorn rams. Several rams harvested over the years have made the Boone and Crockett minimum. In Arizona, you have the ability to hunt two different sub-species of desert bighorn sheep: either the heavy-horned and tight-curled Mexicana subspecies or the wide, flare-horned Nelsoni subspecies. This depends upon which area or unit you draw. The sheep in the northwest areas of Arizona from the Bill Williams River northward are classified as Nelson desert bighorn sheep. The southern area below the Bill Williams River toward the Mexican border is home to the Mexicana. We have hunted in various bighorn sheep units throughout the State of Arizona. Sheep locations within these units vary from year to year because desert bighorn rams have a very large home range. This is due mainly to the constantly changing food and water resources of the desert ecosystem. Rams also move around a lot during the late summer rut before settling down in late October or early November. Your area is scouted extensively prior to the December hunt to locate not only the best concentration of sheep, but the best rams in that area. We can often find the same rams during the hunt that were located during scouting. So, if we find a big ram during scouting in October or November, with patience, we will more than likely find him during your December hunt. The premium hunt includes two experienced bighorn sheep guides; one hunting with you and another at different vantage points to act as a scout or spotter. Having eyes in two places at one time increases the chance of obtaining an exceptional trophy or record-class ram.

We are proud to offer hunting trips for the most prized big game species in North America, the desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana and nelsoni). Arizona has produced numerous large rams and stands up to being the top state as a quality producer. Like all states, Arizona bighorn sheep tags are by a lottery drawing. If you are lucky enough to draw this "coveted tag," you stand a great chance of getting a record-book head. Desert big horn sheep tags are limited to such an extent that Arizona only allows each hunter one desert bighorn sheep in a lifetime. Tags may be difficult to draw, so our possible hunters are encouraged to apply each year and build points until drawn. You never know when you will draw. Some hunters draw with one bonus point, which means it is truly luck-of-the-draw! If you have the itch for a beautiful desert ram and feel lucky enough to draw one of the "coveted tags," we have the hunt for you! Our master sheep guide, Pat Feldt and his assistants, have spent many years in the field with desert bighorn sheep and know them well. Pat is a member of the Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, has a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology and is very knowledgeable and experienced in locating, hunting, and judging bighorn sheep. Much of his and his assistants' spare time is spent looking for and observing sheep, whether it is just for fun or trying to video another record-book ram. Pat's many years of sheep experience has allowed hunters to harvest exceptional quality bighorn rams. Several rams harvested over the years have made the Boone and Crockett minimum. In Arizona, you have the ability to hunt two different sub-species of desert bighorn sheep: either the heavy-horned and tight-curled Mexicana subspecies or the wide, flare-horned Nelsoni subspecies. This depends upon which area or unit you draw. The sheep in the northwest areas of Arizona from the Bill Williams River northward are classified as Nelson desert bighorn sheep. The southern area below the Bill Williams River toward the Mexican border is home to the Mexicana. We have hunted in various bighorn sheep units throughout the State of Arizona. Sheep locations within these units vary from year to year because desert bighorn rams have a very large home range. This is due mainly to the constantly changing food and water resources of the desert ecosystem. Rams also move around a lot during the late summer rut before settling down in late October or early November. Your area is scouted extensively prior to the December hunt to locate not only the best concentration of sheep, but the best rams in that area. We can often find the same rams during the hunt that were located during scouting. So, if we find a big ram during scouting in October or November, with patience, we will more than likely find him during your December hunt.

Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat licenses are on a drawing basis with a preference point system, so the chances of drawing increases each year you apply. Also, the Department of Wildlife has added the new bonus point system in addition to the preference points. We assist you in the application process which is due in April each year. We offer rifle and archery hunts with several different types of terrain and hunting methods. We take only a few Sheep and Goat hunters each year to insure you have a quality hunt.

We are proud to offer hunting trips for the most prized big game species in North America, the desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana and nelsoni). Arizona has produced numerous large rams and stands up to being the top state as a quality producer. Like all states, Arizona bighorn sheep tags are by a lottery drawing. If you are lucky enough to draw this "coveted tag," you stand a great chance of getting a record-book head. Desert big horn sheep tags are limited to such an extent that Arizona only allows each hunter one desert bighorn sheep in a lifetime. Tags may be difficult to draw, so our possible hunters are encouraged to apply each year and build points until drawn. You never know when you will draw. Some hunters draw with one bonus point, which means it is truly luck-of-the-draw! If you have the itch for a beautiful desert ram and feel lucky enough to draw one of the "coveted tags," we have the hunt for you! Our master sheep guide, Pat Feldt and his assistants, have spent many years in the field with desert bighorn sheep and know them well. Pat is a member of the Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, has a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology and is very knowledgeable and experienced in locating, hunting, and judging bighorn sheep. Much of his and his assistants' spare time is spent looking for and observing sheep, whether it is just for fun or trying to video another record-book ram. Pat's many years of sheep experience has allowed hunters to harvest exceptional quality bighorn rams. Several rams harvested over the years have made the Boone and Crockett minimum. In Arizona, you have the ability to hunt two different sub-species of desert bighorn sheep: either the heavy-horned and tight-curled Mexicana subspecies or the wide, flare-horned Nelsoni subspecies. This depends upon which area or unit you draw. The sheep in the northwest areas of Arizona from the Bill Williams River northward are classified as Nelson desert bighorn sheep. The southern area below the Bill Williams River toward the Mexican border is home to the Mexicana. We have hunted in various bighorn sheep units throughout the State of Arizona. Sheep locations within these units vary from year to year because desert bighorn rams have a very large home range. This is due mainly to the constantly changing food and water resources of the desert ecosystem. Rams also move around a lot during the late summer rut before settling down in late October or early November. Your area is scouted extensively prior to the December hunt to locate not only the best concentration of sheep, but the best rams in that area. We can often find the same rams during the hunt that were located during scouting. So, if we find a big ram during scouting in October or November, with patience, we will more than likely find him during your December hunt.

This year again Colorado will offer a Non-Resident Desert Sheep Permit. It will be available in the regular April drawing. There are no preference points awarded so it is a wide open draw. This will be a great chance for you to get a very coveted tag. The area where the hunt will be is where the original transplant of Desert Sheep in Colorado took place in the 1970’s. The first hunt for Desert Sheep in Colorado was in 1989, with 2 tags being awarded, and Chris Cassidy was lucky enough to draw one and finish his Grand Slam with a Colorado Desert Sheep. This area is located close to where we live and we are very familiar with the sheep and where they live. If you are interested in more information and applying for this permit please contact us soon. The deadline is the first Tuesday in April each year.

N/A