Arizona Bighorn Sheep

Unit 15CN (Grand Canyon North Rim – Bighorn)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 15CN targets desert bighorn sheep in the North Rim side canyons of the Grand Canyon — one of the most remote and physically demanding sheep hunts in the Lower 48. The herd uses the cliff bands, side canyons, and inner canyon benches between the North Rim and the Colorado River. Access is limited to foot travel from the North Kaibab via established trails or from river takeouts. With only ~3 tags over three years against 226 applicants, this is a true bucket-list once-in-a-lifetime draw for hunters prepared for backcountry expeditions.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 15CN

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 15CN

Unit 15CN rams use the benches and cliff bands of the North Rim side canyons.

Kanab Creek Drainage

The Kanab Creek system drops off the North Rim into steep canyon country that holds scattered rams. Access from the north via BLM and Kaibab NF roads.

North Rim Side Canyons

Nankoweap, Saddle, and Tapeats drainages host bighorn groups on the inner canyon benches. Backcountry expedition needed for access.

Colorado River Corridor

Some rams can be accessed from the Colorado River; hiring a river takeout or commercial raft shuttle for pickup is a practical strategy.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 15CN

A 15CN tag is a major expedition. We plan months in advance.

Coordinate with AZGFD Region II

Flagstaff Region II biologists manage this herd and coordinate with NPS. Call the day your tag is confirmed — they provide current ram intel and help with NPS coordination.

Plan a 7–14 Day Expedition

Backpacking into inner canyon ram country takes days. Plan fitness training for heavy-pack descents and climb-outs with meat. Horseback pack support is available from Kaibab-side outfitters.

Glass Long, Stalk Hard

Rams are spotted from rim vantages or opposing benches using high-power optics. Stalks commonly require technical climbing or lengthy traverses around cliff bands.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

Unit 15CN success typically runs 75–90% given the tremendous effort hunters invest. The tag is so rare that almost everyone who draws it commits fully — scouting trips, guides, multi-day expeditions. Ram quality is strong with mature animals scoring 155–175 B&C.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle	2	120	0.8%	0
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	2	121	0.0%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 15CN bighorn is one of Arizona's hardest draws. Arizona uses a weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus — 20% of tags to max-point holders, 80% to a random weighted draw. With only ~3 tags against 226 applicants over three years, odds run around 1.3% per application. Plan on 18–25+ bonus points before expecting realistic competitiveness. Arizona residents who harvest any bighorn lose eligibility for future bighorn applications.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

🛻

Trailer Access

US-89A paved to Jacob Lake. SR-67 (seasonal) to the North Rim. Most rim-access dirt roads are high-clearance. Base camp at Jacob Lake or Kaibab Lodge (seasonal).

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Water

Jacob Lake (seasonal tap). North Rim Lodge (seasonal). Inside the canyon: springs at major drainages but filter and plan carefully.

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Road Conditions

Paved to Jacob Lake. SR-67 typically closed mid-December through mid-May. Forest and BLM access roads gravel to 4WD.

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Terrain Difficulty

Extreme. 4,000–6,000 ft vertical relief on typical descents. Cliff bands, loose scree, cactus, summer heat in inner canyon. Physical peak condition required.

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Hunting Pressure

Minimal. 1 tag per year.

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Weather

Season November–December. Rim: 25–50°F days, 10–30°F nights, snow possible. Inner canyon: 55–75°F days, 35–50°F nights. Flash flood risk in side canyons.

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Cell Service

Patchy at Jacob Lake. None inside the canyon. Satellite communicator mandatory.

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Nearest Town

Jacob Lake (fuel, inn — seasonal). Fredonia (40 min — basic). Kanab, UT (1 hour — full services). Flagstaff (3 hours south).

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Permit Notes

AZGFD tag required. National Park Service backcountry permit likely required for inner-canyon routes. Coordinate with NPS and AZGFD before the hunt.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a National Park Service permit to hunt Unit 15CN?

Unit 15CN sheep hunt boundaries and NPS boundaries can overlap in complex ways. Coordinate with AZGFD Region II (Flagstaff) and Grand Canyon National Park backcountry office before your hunt — backcountry permits are likely required for inner-canyon routes.

What's the best approach — North Rim or river?

Both work. North Rim descents suit hunters with horseback support or strong backpacking fitness. River access via commercial raft shuttle simplifies heavy meat and pack-out logistics. Many successful hunters combine both.

How hard is Unit 15CN to draw?

Extremely — odds run around 1% per application. Plan on 18–25+ bonus points before expecting realistic competitiveness. Residents who harvest any bighorn lose eligibility for future bighorn applications.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

AZGFD Desert Bighorn Management — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Grand Canyon North Rim bighorn herd, Unit 15CN boundary and access, Once-in-a-lifetime tag, NPS coordination requirements · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 15CN bighorn draw odds, Weighted bonus point system, Historical tag allocation · accessed 2026-04-17
Grand Canyon National Park — North Rim — National Park Service · supports: North Rim access and closures, Backcountry permit system, Trail conditions · accessed 2026-04-17