Arizona Bighorn Sheep

Unit 16AS/18B (Black Mountains / Aubrey Cliffs)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

This compound bighorn hunt combines portions of GMUs 16A South and 18B in western Arizona's Black Mountains and Aubrey Cliffs area. Per AZGFD's GMU 16A and 18B Expanded Hunt Information, the unit's rugged cliff-and-canyon country supports a desert bighorn population managed through very limited tag allocation. The 2025-26 Arizona Hunting Regulations allocate roughly 4 bighorn tags per 3-year average across the compound hunt area. Another premier once-in-a-lifetime Arizona bighorn opportunity.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 16AS/18B

Where to Find Bighorn in Unit 16AS/18B

The compound hunt area encompasses the Black Mountains escarpments and the Aubrey Cliffs country.

Black Mountains Escarpment

Mature rams hold on the vertical cliff faces of the Black Mountains south escarpment. Glass these from long distance on the roads below.

Aubrey Cliffs

The Aubrey Cliffs country produces consistent ram sightings with good access from surrounding BLM roads. Focus glassing on the upper cliff bands and ledge systems.

Water Concentration Points

Guzzlers and natural tanks anchor bighorn in this arid country. Pre-hunt water scouting is the most valuable single investment of time.

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How to Hunt Bighorn in Unit 16AS/18B

The compound hunt area gives drawn hunters more geographic flexibility than most Arizona bighorn hunts — use that flexibility to find the best ram available.

Scout Both Ranges

Spend scouting weekends in both the Black Mountains and Aubrey Cliffs country. The best ram for your tag may come from either range; keep options open.

Long-Range Glass

A 20-60x spotting scope on a stable tripod is essential. Systematic face-by-face glassing produces ram encounters; wandering and hoping does not.

Guide or Mentor

Most successful hunters in this compound unit work with an experienced Arizona bighorn guide. The investment pays on trophy judgment and logistical efficiency given the once-in-a-lifetime nature of the tag.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

Unit 16AS/18B bighorn success rates run near 100% on the limited tags issued, consistent with Arizona's overall bighorn success pattern. Ram quality is solid desert bighorn with mature rams in the 155-170 class available. The compound hunt format gives hunters access to broader country than single-unit hunts.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle	2	285	0.7%	0
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	2	268	0.7%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 16AS/18B bighorn requires substantial bonus points — most successful applicants hold 25+ points. Arizona's weighted bonus draw, the once-in-a-lifetime rule, and the 20% 0-point set-aside all apply. With 4 tags per 3-year average across the compound area, odds are marginally better than single-tag units but still extremely long. Apply every year and plan for a multi-decade wait.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

RV parks in Kingman and Bullhead City. Dispersed RV camping widely available on BLM land.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping on BLM land throughout both mountain ranges.

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Trailer Access

I-40, Highway 93, and Highway 95 are paved. BLM access roads vary from graded gravel to rough two-track.

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Water

Carry all water. Kingman and Bullhead City for full resupply.

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Road Conditions

Paved main routes. Interior roads are rough desert tracks — high-clearance 4WD is required.

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Terrain Difficulty

Extreme. Vertical cliffs, loose rock, and cactus-studded canyon country.

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Hunting Pressure

Very low. Very limited tags keep pressure essentially zero.

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Weather

Late-season hunts (November-December) are typically 50-80°F. Desert dehydration risk even in cool months — hydrate aggressively.

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Cell Service

Coverage along I-40 and main highways. None in the backcountry. Satellite communicator required.

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Nearest Town

Kingman (full services). Bullhead City (1 hr west, full services).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hunt both 16A South and 18B on this tag?

Yes. AZGFD combines these units into a single compound bighorn hunt area. Your permit-tag is valid across both hunt areas during your dates — work both ranges to find the best ram.

How many bonus points for Unit 16AS/18B bighorn?

Most successful applicants hold 25+ bonus points. The 4 tags per 3-year average give slightly better odds than the smallest bighorn units, but maximum-point applicants still face multi-year draws.

Do Arizona bighorn tags carry tag fees at drawing?

Yes. Drawn applicants must pay the non-refundable Arizona bighorn sheep permit-tag fee. Verify the current fee on the AZGFD Hunt Portal before applying.

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Sources & Verification

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

GMU 16A — Unit Landing Page — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Canonical unit info page, Black Mountains boundary, Bighorn habitat · accessed 2026-04-17
2025-26 Arizona Hunting Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bighorn sheep season structure, Compound hunt area 16AS/18B, Once-in-a-lifetime rule · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Weighted bonus point bighorn draw, Once-in-a-lifetime bighorn tag rule, 20% 0-point set-aside · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Kingman Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Black Mountains land ownership, Access roads, Wilderness boundaries · accessed 2026-04-17