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Big Game Ovis canadensis

Bighorn Sheep Hunting Guide

Complete Bighorn Sheep hunting guide. Seasons by state, hunting methods, trophy criteria, rut timing, and field care tips for bighorn sheep hunters.

Rut Timing

Nov 15 - Dec 15

Boneless Yield

36%

Scoring

Boone & Crockett

Typical Season Dates

rifle

Sep-Nov

Note: Exact dates vary by state and management unit. Always verify with your state wildlife agency before purchasing licenses.

Trophy Criteria

Boone & Crockett Minimum

180"

Where to Hunt Bighorn Sheep

MTdraw odds WYdraw odds COdraw odds IDdraw odds NMdraw odds AZdraw odds NVdraw odds UTdraw odds ORdraw odds

Meat Yield

Animal Live Weight (avg) Bone-In Yield Boneless Yield Boneless lbs (avg)
ram 220 lbs 48% 36% 79 lbs
ewe 130 lbs 48% 36% 47 lbs

Bighorn Sheep Hunting Tools

🦌 Rut Forecast Peak rut dates by state 🎯 Shot Placement Vital zone guides 🎰 Draw Odds Tag odds for 9 states 📈 Activity Predictor Movement forecast by conditions

Other Species Guides

Elk (Wapiti) Mule Deer Whitetail Deer Pronghorn (Antelope) Moose Black Bear Mountain Goat Wild Turkey

Bighorn Sheep Hunting Articles & Guides

Rocky alpine terrain in the Gore Range of Colorado — bighorn sheep habitat above 12,000 feet
destinations

Gore Range Bighorn Sheep: Colorado's Most Technical High-Country Hunt

Open ridgeline above treeline in central Idaho's Lemhi Range with a hunter glassing a high mountain basin
destinations

Lemhi Range, Idaho: Elk, Mule Deer, and Bighorn Sheep in Central Idaho's Forgotten Mountains

Gray bighorn sheep ram on green grass, Arizona draw odds
draw-odds

Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds: The 20-Point Cap and What It Really Means

Majestic red deer stag with large antlers in autumn forest
methods

Boone and Crockett Scoring: How Elk, Mule Deer, and Pronghorn Are Scored

Heavy-horned Rocky Mountain bighorn ram feeding near an alpine lake
draw-odds

Colorado Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds: Unit-by-Unit Reality Check

Rocky Mountain bighorn ram with full-curl horns in profile against dark conifer timber
methods

Colorado Bighorn Sheep Hunting: What to Expect When Your Tag Finally Comes Through

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Bighorn Sheep season?
Bighorn Sheep seasons vary by state and weapon type. Typical archery season: late summer to early fall. Rifle season: Sep-Nov. Peak rut is typically Nov 15 - Dec 15.
What is a trophy-class Bighorn Sheep?
Minimum scores for the record books are: Boone & Crockett: 180 inches, Pope & Young (archery): undefined inches. These are all-time minimums — many hunters target smaller, more achievable trophy goals.
How much meat does a Bighorn Sheep yield?
A mature bighorn sheep bull/buck weighs 100–300 lbs live weight. Expect 48% boneless meat yield — roughly 180 lbs of boneless meat from an average animal.
What states can I hunt Bighorn Sheep?
Bighorn Sheep can be hunted in: MT, WY, CO, ID, NM, AZ, NV, UT, OR. Western states like MT, WY, CO are known for their bighorn sheep populations.
When is the Bighorn Sheep rut?
The Bighorn Sheep rut typically peaks during Nov 15 - Dec 15. This is the best time to target large bulls/bucks, as they are more active and less cautious while seeking mates.