Arizona Bighorn Sheep

Unit 40A (Kofa / Castle Dome – Desert Bighorn)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 40A covers the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and Castle Dome Mountains in southwestern Arizona — classic desert bighorn country and the source herd for most Arizona sheep translocations over the past 60 years. Rams inhabit the steep cliff bands, slot canyons, and isolated peaks of the refuge, reaching some of the heaviest body weights and biggest horn mass of any desert bighorn population in North America. With only ~3 tags over three years against 266 applicants, it's a once-in-a-lifetime hunt on prime public land.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Logistics & Planning Guide →

Access roads, campgrounds, elevation, monthly weather, stock tanks, cell coverage, and nearest-town services for Unit 40A.

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Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 40A

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 40A

Unit 40A rams use the cliff-and-canyon complex of the Kofa and Castle Dome ranges.

Kofa Mountains Core

The central Kofas — Ten Ewe Mountain, Signal Peak, and the Palm Canyon complex — hold the densest ram groups. Glass from refuge roads at dawn into the east-facing cliff bands.

Castle Dome Mountains

The Castle Dome range west of the Kofas is a separate ridge system with solid ram numbers. Access from Castle Dome Mine Road and surrounding BLM two-tracks.

Refuge Water Developments

AZGFD and USFWS maintain guzzlers across the refuge. Rams key on these during the hot dry stretches of early season. Get the current guzzler map from AZGFD Region IV.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 40A

We approach any Kofa ram hunt with a months-long scouting plan and plenty of water.

Scout with AZGFD Region IV (Yuma)

Yuma-based biologists track individual rams year-round. Start coordinating the day your tag is confirmed.

Truck-and-Glass Strategy

Unlike wilderness bighorn hunts, Kofa access is relatively road-friendly. We glass from truck pullouts at dawn, cover miles of ridgeline, and commit on foot only when we've located a mature ram.

Pack for Heat and Cactus

Even late-season hunts see 80°F afternoons. Plan two gallons of water per person per day, long pants for cholla, and cactus-resistant boots.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

Unit 40A success runs 90–100% across recent seasons. With only ~3 tags over three years, hunters typically invest weeks of pre-season scouting. Ram quality is exceptional — 160–180 B&C is routine with trophy potential into the 180s.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle	1	114	0.9%	0
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	2	256	0.8%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 40A bighorn is a once-in-a-lifetime draw. With only ~3 tags over three years against 266 applicants, odds run around 1% per application. Arizona uses a weighted bonus-point system with Hunter Education bonus — 20% of tags go to max-point holders, 80% flow through a random weighted draw. Plan on 18–25+ bonus points before expecting realistic odds. Arizona residents who harvest any bighorn lose eligibility for future bighorn applications.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Trailer Access

US-95 between Yuma and Quartzsite is paved and handles any rig. Refuge roads and BLM two-tracks are high-clearance only, with some 4WD-only spurs.

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Water

No natural surface water reliably inside the refuge. Haul all water from Yuma or Quartzsite. AZGFD/USFWS guzzlers exist but are for wildlife.

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Road Conditions

US-95 paved year-round. King Road (main refuge access) graded dirt, passable for most 2WD in dry weather. Interior roads require 4WD and high clearance.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. Loose volcanic rock, cactus, steep cliff bands, 2,000+ ft vertical relief on typical stalks. Heat adds difficulty even in November.

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Hunting Pressure

Minimal — 1–2 tags per year.

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Weather

Late fall/early winter season. Days 70–90°F common even in November; nights 40–55°F. Flash flood risk during occasional late-summer storms.

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Cell Service

None inside the refuge. Patchy along US-95. Satellite communicator mandatory.

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Nearest Town

Quartzsite (RV services, limited groceries). Yuma (90 min south — full services, hospital). Parker (1 hour northwest).

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Permit Notes

Bighorn tag required. Kofa NWR rules apply — respect designated wilderness boundaries and water-development closures.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 40A a wilderness-only bighorn hunt?

No — much of the Kofa refuge is designated wilderness, but extensive pre-wilderness roads let you truck and glass much of the ram country. You still foot-access the cliff bands for stalks.

When is the Kofa bighorn season?

Typically November–December. Check current AZGFD bighorn regulations for exact dates each year.

Do I need a guide for a Kofa bighorn tag?

Not required, but many successful hunters use local guides familiar with refuge ram groups. Region IV biologists also provide strong intel once your tag is confirmed.

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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: Kofa NWR desert bighorn source herd, Castle Dome Mountains habitat, Historical transplant program, Once-in-a-lifetime tag · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 40A bighorn draw odds, Bonus point weighting, Tag caps · accessed 2026-04-17
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge — US Fish and Wildlife Service · supports: Refuge access and regulations, Wilderness areas, Water development projects · accessed 2026-04-17