Arizona Bighorn Sheep

Unit 24BS (Four Peaks – Superstition Bighorn)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 24BS is the bighorn sheep-specific subdivision covering the rugged cliff country of the southern Four Peaks area and Superstition Wilderness fringe east of Phoenix. Desert bighorn occupy the steep canyons, cliff bands, and isolated ridges of the Tonto National Forest in this zone. Reintroduced from Kofa herds decades ago, the population is solid and rams show strong trophy potential. Extreme terrain and wilderness access requirements make this a physically demanding hunt.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 24BS

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 24BS

Unit 24BS rams hold in the cliff bands and isolated rim systems of the southern Four Peaks and Superstition country.

Four Peaks South Face

The southern escarpment of Four Peaks (Brown's Peak area) holds the primary ram group. Glass from FR 143 pullouts before committing to wilderness hikes.

Superstition Wilderness Fringe

Rim country along the northern Superstitions produces scattered rams. Access requires foot travel from Canyon Lake or Tortilla Flat trailheads.

Roosevelt Lake Canyon Walls

Steep limestone walls above Roosevelt Lake hold occasional rams. Glass from shoreline access points.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 24BS

Unit 24BS demands wilderness commitment and serious physical preparation.

Scout with AZGFD Region VI

Region VI biologists in Mesa track the Four Peaks and Superstition sheep closely — contact them early for current ram intel.

Wilderness Hike-In

The Four Peaks Wilderness and Superstition Wilderness are foot/horseback only. Plan multi-day backpack hunts with camp below the cliff bands.

Glass Wide, Stalk Narrow

Use high-power spotting scopes from distant vantages to locate rams, then plan technical stalks on the cliff bands. Rope and a partner who can belay can help on the most exposed pitches.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

Unit 24BS success runs 85–95% across recent seasons. With only ~4 tags over three years, every hunter puts in significant pre-season effort. Rams commonly score 155–170 B&C, with occasional trophies topping 175.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle	2	502	0.4%	0
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	1	326	0.0%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 24BS is a once-in-a-lifetime bighorn draw near Phoenix. With only ~4 tags over three years and 1,088 applicants, odds run around 0.4% per applicant. Arizona's weighted bonus-point system routes 20% to max-point holders first, 80% to a random weighted draw. Plan on 18–25+ bonus points for realistic competitiveness. Arizona residents who harvest any bighorn lose eligibility for future bighorn applications.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Trailer Access

SR 87 (Beeline) and SR 188 paved. Wilderness trailheads only accessible via high-clearance dirt roads in most cases. Base at paved-road trailheads and backpack in.

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Water

Roosevelt Lake to the north provides drinking water. Canyon Lake and Apache Lake south. Limited to no reliable natural water in sheep cliff country.

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Road Conditions

Main highways paved. FR 143 (Four Peaks Road) is rough 4WD. Wilderness is foot/horseback only.

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Terrain Difficulty

Extreme. Cliff bands, cactus, exposed scrambles, 3,000+ ft vertical relief on typical stalks.

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Hunting Pressure

Minimal. 1–2 tags per year.

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Weather

November–December season. Days 60–75°F, nights 40–50°F at lower elevations; cooler up high. Generally dry.

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Cell Service

Verizon/AT&T along SR 87 and SR 188 and around the lakes. None in the wilderness interior. Satellite communicator required.

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Nearest Town

Mesa/East Valley (60–90 min). Payson (45 min). Punkin Center (basic, at Roosevelt Lake). Globe (45 min east).

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Permit Notes

Bighorn tag required. Four Peaks and Superstition Wilderness rules apply — no motorized/mechanized travel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 24BS one of the harder AZ sheep hunts physically?

Yes — the Four Peaks and Superstition wilderness cliff bands are as demanding as any desert sheep terrain. Train with weight, long days, and uphill climbs before the hunt.

Can I hunt 24BS as a day trip from Phoenix?

In theory yes — the Four Peaks trailheads are 90 minutes from Mesa. In practice, backpacking in and camping near ram country is more productive.

Do I need a guide for Unit 24BS?

Not required, but wilderness-experienced Arizona-licensed guides dramatically increase success rates on this demanding hunt.

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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 Sheep Management — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Four Peaks bighorn transplant history, Superstition Wilderness sheep habitat, Once-in-a-lifetime tag, Reintroduced herd from Kofa · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 24BS bighorn draw, Historical odds, Tag caps · accessed 2026-04-17
Tonto National Forest — Four Peaks Wilderness — USDA Forest Service · supports: Four Peaks Wilderness rules, Superstition Wilderness access, Foot/horseback travel only · accessed 2026-04-17