Jump to: How the draw works Sheep projection D. Bighorn Recommendations R. Bighorn Recommnedations 2018 harvest photos

If you ever had the good fortune to be part of a bighorn sheep hunt then the odds are you likely have the bighorn sheep bug. At the early age of 17, I drew my first sheep tag in my home state of Arizona. I remember the feeling of drawing the tag like it was yesterday. Since that day, I have been hooked. I continually apply in every western state that offers a bighorn sheep tag. In 2013, I was fortunate to draw a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep tag in Arizona. Even as an Arizona resident, drawing a tag was highly unlikely; however, every year someone has to draw. With the cost of bighorn sheep hunts increasing yearly the least expensive way to participate in a bighorn sheep hunt is to draw a tag. In order to maximize your opportunity to draw a bighorn sheep tag, you need to understand how each draw system works. For this segment, I will focus on the nonresident applying for an Arizona bighorn sheep tag.

Arizona offers the nonresident hunter the opportunity to hunt desert bighorn sheep or Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Both species are combined; therefore, you can only submit one sheep application. You can list desert and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep on the same application. Arizona is known for some exceptional desert bighorn sheep and only average Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. The nonresident cost to apply is $160 for the hunting license and $15 for the application. If you are drawn, it will cost you an additional $1,815. This is relatively cheap for an exceptional bighorn sheep hunt.

How the draw works:

Arizona offers up to 10% of the total bighorn sheep tags to nonresident hunters. Last year, there were a total of 111 sheep tags (95 desert/16 Rocky Mountain). Of that 10%, half of them may be issued to the nonresident applicants with maximum points. Nonresidents were issued 11 total bighorn sheep tags in 2018. Out of those 11 tags, one tag was issued to an applicant with maximum points and the other 10 were issued in the random draw. This is good news because nearly all of the nonresident tags are issued in the random draw, meaning everyone who applies has the opportunity to draw the majority of the tags.

There are two phases in the Arizona draw system. The two phases are known as the Bonus Pass and the 1-2 Pass. The Bonus Pass is the draw for those applicants with maximum points. This phase is conducted first. Going into the 2019 draw, the maximum number of bighorn sheep points is 30. There are currently 45 residents and two nonresidents with 30 points. They will issue 20% of the tags to those individuals residents/nonresidents with maximum points. Once those tags have been issued, they will conduct the 1-2 pass draw which is the random draw. The random draw is where the majority of the nonresident tags are issued.

For a more in-depth look at the draw system you can check out goHUNT’s Arizona State Profile.

The three most important things you must know when applying:

• Nonresidents must apply for a unit with at least two bighorn sheep tags. Don’t apply for one tag units! 
• Avoid applying for the units that are sought after by those individuals with maximum points. These tags are issued to those individuals with maximum points in the Bonus Pass portion of the draw; therefore, you never have a chance at them. Note: In 2018, all tags in these units were drawn in the Bonus Pass: 22 South, 24B Wilderness, 24B North, 24B South, 28 South, 37a First Hunt, 1/27 Rocky, 23/24A Rocky
• You have the opportunity to list five choices on your application; however, only the first two matter.

Researching your hunt on goHUNT's INSIDER

Desert Bighorn Units Rocky Bighorn Units Draw Odds

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2019 bighorn sheep projection

Arizona had a stellar bighorn sheep season in 2018. There were a total of five desert rams that grossed over 180" and an additional 28 desert rams that grossed over 168". The largest ram in the state gross scored 189 3/8". Therefore, 33 out of 94 desert rams harvested in 2018 met or exceeded the Boone & Crockett (B&C) minimum. There were 10 of 15 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep harvest that scored over 170" with the largest ram gross scoring 183 4/8".

With the amount of moisture Arizona is currently receiving I am expecting 2019 to be another great year. I expect those individuals with maximum bonus points to continue to focus on the same units as 2018.

Every year, there is a chance for a little variation in which tags are drawn by those individuals with maximum points. Below you will find a table showing which tags were drawn by those individuals with maximum points in 2018. The table also shows where all the applicants with maximum points applied.

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Desert bighorn sheep recommendations

Desert bighorn sheep
Unit	2019 Hunt Code	Tags drawn max in 2018	Total tags issued in 2018
*22 South*	*6018*	*2*	*2*
*24BW*	*6019*	*1*	*1*
*24BN*	*6020*	*1*	*1*
*24BS*	*6021*	*1*	*1*
*28S*	*6022*	*2*	*2*
31/32	6023	1	2
*37A (1st hunt)*	*6024*	*2*	*2*
37B	6026	1	2
39W	6028	1	2
40B Mohawk	6031	1	2
41 East	6033	1	2
44BN	6040	2	3
45A	6042	1	3
Total tags (drawn max)		17

In 2019 there will be a total of 116 sheep tags issued in Arizona. Of those 100 permits will be issued for Desert Bighorn Sheep and 16 will be issued for Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. An increase of 5 Desert Sheep tags is huge for everyone. This will allow non-residents additional opportunities for some of the better units in the state. Two units that saw an increase from 1 tag to 2 tags making them now eligible for nonresidents are 24B South and 24B Wilderness. These units both have great potential for a book ram and I would bet at least one of these tags will go in the random draw.

Units to consider for Desert bighorn sheep

The following desert bighorn sheep units should be on your radar if you are a nonresident with less than maximum points applying for Arizona and you are looking for a possibility at a B&C ram.

• 28 South (both tags will likely be drawn in the Bonus Pass with maximum points)
• 22 South (both tags will likely be drawn in the Bonus Pass with maximum points)
• 24B South (first year this unit has been eligible for nonresidents. Great potential for a book ram)
• 24B Wilderness (first year this unit has been eligible for nonresidents. Physical, but great potential)
• 44B North
• 44B South
• 37A second hunt
• 16A South/18B (might get extra attention from the maximum point holders due to a 183" ram being killed)
• 13B North
• 31/32 (Solid unit that will have an extra tag in 2019)

The following desert bighorn sheep units offer a better opportunity for a nonresident tag, but it might be difficult to find a B&C ram.

• 12B East (you will need a guide)
• 15D North (tons of bighorn sheep and a fun hunt, but the quality has gone down)
• 15D South (lots of bighorn sheep, but can be remote potential for a big ram)
• 39 West
• 39 East (first year this is eligible for nonresidents)
• 40B Gila
• 40B Copper Mountains
• 40B Tinajas (very physical)
• 41 East
• 41 West (might get some extra attention from maximum point holders due to a 184 3/8" ram being killed)
• 45A (remote unit/can be physical)
• 45B (remote unit/can be physical)
• 45C (remote unit/can be physical)
• 46A East (very remote/very physical)
• 46B West (very remote/very physical)

2018 Arizona Desert bighorn harvest green scores
2019 Hunt code	Unit	# of tags	Green score	Age rings	# of Applicants w/max points who applied	Max tags drawn
6001	10	1	154	7	0
6003	12A/12BW	1	157	8	0
6004	12BE (1st hunt)	3	151.5, 162.6, 98.3	5, 7, 2	0
6005	12BE (2nd hunt)	3	150.6, 172, 169	6, 9, 7	0
6006	13A	1	162.7	6	0
6007	13BN	3	169.2, 134.1, 152.3	7, 6, 5	1	0
6008	13BS	1	155.6	9	0
6009	15A/15B	1	128.6	6	0
6010	15BW	1	149.6	7	0
6011	15CN	1	153.2	7	0
6012	15CS	1	155.2	7	0
6013	15DN	4	163, 146.2, 165, 171.6	7, 6, 7, 7	1
6014	15DS	2	151.3, 164.3	7, 8	0
6015	16A	2	143.3, 128	6, 5	0
6016	18B/16AS	2	181.4, 142.4	7, 5	0
6017	16B	1	175	10	0
6018	22	2	171.1, 177.2	8, 10	14	2
6019	24B wilderness	1	182	8	7	1
6020	24BN	1	181.4	8	8	1
6021	24BS	1	167.6	8	16	1
6022	28S	2	189.3, 172.1	11, 7	6	2
6023	31/32	2	175.5, 179.7	10, 8	2	1
6024	37A (1st hunt)	2	175.4, 163.7	8, 10	8	2
6025	37A (2nd hunt)	2	177.3, 176.5	8, 8	2
6026	37B	2	170.2, 173	8, 7	0	1
6027	39E	1	147.4	6	0
6028	39W	2	152.5, 164.2	7, 6	1	1
6029	40A	2	149, 173	9, 7	1
6030	40BWG	4	152.7, 164.7, 156.5, 155.5	7, 9, 8, 5	0
6031	40BWCM	2	157.3, 159.6	8, 9	1	1
6032	40BT	2	164.1, 162.5	10, 9	2
6033	41E	2	158.1, 158.2	8, 11	1	1
6034	41W	2	163.3, 184.3	8, 8	1
6035	42/44A	1	174.4	7	0
6036	43A	1	158.2	9	2
6037	43B	5	167.7, 175.6, 157, 158.4, 169.6	9, 10, 9, 10, 9	1
6038	44AE	2	178.4, 143.1	11, 5	0
6039	44AW	1	172.4	12	0
6040	44BN	3	168.2, 160.7, 165.7	10, 8, 10	8	2
6041	44BS	2	169.2, 172.7	11, 8	1
6042	45A	4	165.2, 173.7, 146.7, 173.5	9, 9, 9, 7	1	1
6043	45B	3	173.5, 162.5, 153.4	11, 12, 6	0
6044	45C	4	155.7, 154.3, 141.2, 164.4	9, 7, 4, 8	1
6045	46AE	2	169.3, 159.7	9, 7	0
6046	46AW	1	No harvest	NA	1
6047	46BE	1	156.5	8	0
6048	46BW	5	163.5, 168.2, 140.2, 167.4, 161	6, 8, 6, 9, 8	0
Total Desert		95				17

 

Desert bighorn sheep scores across the units (2012 to 2014)
Unit	2014 scores	2013 scores	2012 scores
10	160	143	146
12A/12BW	128	155	162
12BE (1st hunt)	162, 160	131, 140, 145	160, 146, 170
12BE (2nd hunt)	NA	NA	NA
13A	165	No kill	96
13BN	150, 172, not listed	163, no kill, no kill	159, 162, 163
13BS	Score not listed	No kill	148
15A/15B	141, 161, 154, (15BW only)	157, 146, 144, 155, (15BW only)	153, 135 (15B only)
15CN	154, 132, 133	171, 155, 150, 165, 145	164, 147, 162, 158, 166, 159
15CS	167, 160	166, 169	155, 169
15DN	158, 167, 172, 163, 149, 158, 160, 169	154, 170, 157, 167, 156, 152, 169, 154, 167, 165, 173	157, 140, 169, 163, 170, 167, 160, 167
15DS	169, 164, 148, 154	157, 150, 162, 179	NA
16A	171, 159, 156	168, 169	101, 179
16B	163, 115	165, 156	148, 156
18B/16AS	148 (18B only)	162 (18B only)	NA
22	184, 175, 172	180, 181, 176	185, 186, 177
24B wilderness	173 (wilderness included)	180 (wilderness included)	NA
24BN	170	179	180
24BS	185, 174	186, 182	163
28S	174	160	175
31/32	157, 158	152, 171	169, 163, 162
37A (1st hunt)	174	153, 164	159
37A (2nd hunt)	One season	One season	NA
37B	172	163	NA
39E	159	166	NA
39W	165, 164	165, 158	169, 167
40A	170	NA	NA
40BWG	158, 157	151, no kill	NA
40BWCM	147, 172, 156	165, 157, 148	158, 158, 166, 163, 103, 164
40BT	159	163	NA
41E	156	172	168, 143
41W	149	169	151, 142
42/44AE	172, 174	169	NA
43A	165	182	144
43B	161, 153, 159, 160, 162, 164, 159	155, 159, 167, 144, 161	160, 161, 160, 157, 161, 170
44AE	156	159	165
44AW	173	170	173
44BN	180, 164	175, 172	164, 169
44BS	176	157	158
45A	164	147	150
45B	139	157	159
45C	157	156	158, 165, 119
46AE	171, 140	171, 162	165
46AW	Combined with 46A	Combined with 46B	Combined with 46B
46BE	Combined with 46B	Combined with 46B	Combined with 46B
46BW	138, 157, 146, 161, 166, 176, 166	164, 157, 148, 145, 163, 159, 164	169, 146, 133, 160, 153, 155, 151

 

Desert bighorn sheep scores across the units (2015 to 2018)
Unit	2018 scores	2017 scores	2016 scores	2015 scores
10	154	155	152	154
12A/12BW	157	145	136	161
12BE (1st hunt)	152, 163, 98	165, 163, 137, 96	149, 149, 147, not listed	168, 148, 119, 151
12BE (2nd hunt)	151, 172, 169	NA	NA	NA
13A	163	164	164	174
13BN	169, 152, 134	158, 172, 157	148, 161, 172	156, 168, 160
13BS	156	145	148	Score not listed
15A/15B	129	142	152 (15B only)	145, 135, 150 (15BW only)
15CN	153	110	163	154, 151, 152
15CS	155	165	162	No harvest, 150, 98
15DN	163, 165, 146, 172	170, 160, 172, 164	164, 162, 167, 147, 161, 151	166, 152, 155, 150, 172, 175, 156, 168
15DS	151, 164	Combined with 15DN	Combined with 15DN	165, 159, 179, 164
16A	143, 128	166, 150	167, 154	No harvest, 150, 151
16B	175	157	156	157
18B/16AS	183, 143	170 (Combined)	171 (Combined)	156 (18B only)
22	171, 177	178, 184	170, 181	No harvest, 177, 178, 179
24B wilderness	182	177	178	178
24BN	182	178	No harvest	174
24BS	168	178	185	181, 174
28S	189, 172	170, 187	166	171
31/32	180, 176	174, 157, no harvest	165, 157, 173	170, 171
37A (1st hunt)	176, 164	183, 169	162, 170	153, 167
37A (2nd hunt)	177, 177	170, 175	Season split in 2017	One season
37B	173, 170	174	167	170
39E	148	163	171	156
39W	153, 164	164, no harvest	153, 161	162, 140
40A	173, 149	159, 161	166, 143	179, 178
40BWG	153, 165, 157, 156	165, 165, 155, 173	159, 161, 169, 143	161, 147
40BWCM	157, 160	159, 164	135, 168	155, 149, 154
40BT	164, 163	173, 177	176, 155	164
41E	158, 158	160, no harvest	164, no harvest	148
41W	184, 163	161, 154	178, 155	164
42/44AE	175	167	165	0, 168
43A	158	149	164	172
43B	176, 157, 159, 170, 168	167, 121, 155, 147, 167	152, 161, 157, 168, 156, 145, 167	175, 158, 158, 166, 179, 107, 156
44AE	179, 143	166, 172	161	149
44AW	173	No tag 2017	161	151
44BN	168, 166, 161	171, 171, 174	150, 154, 166, 169	154, 154, 162, 169
44BS	173, 169	165, 169	170, 178	No harvest, 174
45A	174, 165, 157, 147	117, 167, 155, 91	162, 144, 174	161, 156, 151
45B	174, 154, 163	153, 159	165	155, 135
45C	165, 141, 156, 154	161, 156	171, 149	154
46AE	169, 160	168, 158	173, 171	168, 160
46AW	No harvest	170, 164	176, 167	151, 154
46BE	157	141, 122, 157, 153	156, 152, 158, 171	165, 151, 152, 152
46BW	168, 167, 164, 161, 140	170, 155, 136, 165	134, 155, 152, 164	172, 157, 145, 154

 

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Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep recommendations

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep
Unit	2019 Hunt Code	Tags drawn max in 2018	Total tags issued in 2018
*1 & 27*	*6051*	*2*	*2*
6A/22N (1st hunt)	6052	1	2
*23/24A*	*6054*	*1*	*1*
*27/28 (2nd hunt)*	*6058*	*1*	*2*
Total tags (drawn max)		5

Every Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep unit in Arizona offers an opportunity at a solid 170” ram. However, some of the units are very remote and difficult to access. Each of the hunts I am listing had a first and second season in 2018. Generally speaking, the first season is more desired due to having the first crack at the rams.

• 1/27 (both tags are likely to go to maximum point holders)
• 6A/22 North (lots of bighorn sheep with some solid rams, but quality has slipped a little)
• 27 South/28 North (lots of bighorn sheep with some solid rams, but had the most nonresident applicants in 2018)
• 27 Upper Blue (can be very remote and much more difficult to access—you need to be in shape)

2018 Arizona Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep green scores
2019 Hunt code	Unit	# of tags	Green score	Age rings	# of applicants w/max point who applied	Max tags drawn
6051	1/27N	2	183.4, 178	--	8	2
6052	6A/22N	2	173.6, 174	7, 10	3	1
6053	6A/22N	2	177, 177.7	10, 6	2	0
6054	23/24A	1	166.1	8	1	1
6055	27UB (1st hunt)	2	172.1, no data	8, NA	1	0
6056	27UB (2nd hunt)	2	164.1, 166.7	9, 8	1	0
6057	27S/28N (1st hunt)	3	167.5, 173.7, 183.4	10, 9, 8	4	0
6058	27S/28N (2nd hunt)	2	177.2, 169.7	9, 8	1	1
Total Rocky		16				5

 

Rocky Mountain sheep scores 2012 to 2014
Unit	2014 scores	2013 scores	2012 scores
1/27N	Hunt not offered	Hunt not offered	Hunt not offered
6A/22N	162, 168	177, 181	179, 174
6A/22N	179, 181	177, 169	Hunt not offered
23/24A	Hunt not offered	Hunt not offered	Hunt not offered
27LB	165, 169, 148 (Unit 27S)	No kill, 185, 186 (Unit 27S)	183 (Unit 27S)
27UB (1st hunt)	170, 170 (Unit 27N)	184, 172 (Unit 27N)	167, 165 (Unit 27N)
27UB (2nd hunt)	Hunt not offered	Hunt not offered	Hunt not offered
27S/28N (1st hunt)	141, 165, 167	168, 169, 177, 179	161, 158, 161
27S/28N (2nd hunt)	172, 173, 158	159, 167, 138	162, 156, 171

 

Rocky Mountain sheep scores 2015 to 2018 (continued)
Unit	2018 scores	2017 scores	2016 scores	2015 scores
1/27N	183, 178	164	190	175
6A/22N	174, 174	171, 167	182, 183	179, 178
6A/22N	178, 177	179, 181	175, 170	185, 182
23/24A	166	181	138	170
27LB	NA	168	No hunt	126, 168
27UB (1st hunt)	172	174, 179	187, 164, 174	168, 155, 153, 179, 167
27UB (2nd hunt)	164, 167	168, 181	162, 174	Hunt not offered
27S/28N (1st hunt)	184, 174, 168	170, 160, 186	162, 175, 171	159, 169, 178, 174, 155
27S/28N (2nd hunt)	177, 170	164, 174	168, 162	Only 1 hunt

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Sample photos from Arizona bighorn sheep that were taken in 2018

Hunter	Unit	Species	Score	Ram age	Guided by:
Jennifer Griego	45A	Desert bighorn sheep	173 7/8"	9	NA

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Hunter	Unit	Species	Score	Ram age	Assisted by:
Jack Johnson	22	Desert bighorn sheep	177 2/8"	10	Seth Meeske

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Hunter	Unit	Species	Score	Ram age	Guided by:
Scott Drescher	40A	Desert bighorn sheep	173 0/8"	9	Arizona Desert Outfitters

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Hunter	Unit	Species	Score	Ram age	Guided by:
Chip Beiner	46B West	Desert bighorn sheep	167 4/8"	9	NA

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Hunter	Unit	Species	Score	Ram age	Guided by:
William Acheson	1/27	Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep	B&C 183 4/8"	NA	Russ Jacoby (Mossback AZ)

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Hunter	Unit	Species	Score	Ram age	Guided by:
Ramey Oliver	44BS	Desert bighorn sheep	169 2/8"	11	Arizona Desert Outfitters

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Hunter	Unit	Species	Score	Ram age	Guided by:
Logan Hall	44B	Desert bighorn sheep	172 7/8"	8	NA

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Hunter	Unit	Species	Score	Ram age	Guided by:
Andrew Sarat	12B East	Desert bighorn sheep	172 0/8"	9	Russ Jacoby (Mossback AZ)

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Hunter	Unit	Species	Score	Ram age	Guided by:
Bill Goldman	44BN	Desert bighorn Sheep	168 2/8"	10	Arizona Desert Outfitters

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Hunter	Unit	Species	Score	Ram age	Guided by:
Zach Pallister	44BN	Desert bighorn sheep	165 7/8"	10	Arizona Desert Outfitters

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Hunter	Unit	Species	Score	Ram age	Assisted by:
Craig Shelley	28 South	Desert bighorn sheep	189 3/8"	11	Matt Holcomb

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Hunter	Unit	Species	Score	Ram age	Guided by:
Doug Holland	44BN	Desert bighorn sheep	172 4/8"	12	Arizona Desert Outfitters

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Hunter	Unit	Species	Score	Ram age	Assisted by:
Mike Gibbons	22	Desert bighorn sheep	171 1/8""	8	Bob Kyhn

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Hunter	Unit	Species	Score	Ram age	Guided by:
Mason Reynolds	37A	Desert bighorn sheep	177 3/8""	8	NA

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