Arizona Bighorn Sheep

Unit 40BWG (Kofa West – White Ghost)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 40B-WG (White Ghost) is a specialized desert bighorn hunt covering the west side of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Yuma County. Terrain is classic Sonoran Desert sheep country — stacked rimrock, slot canyons, and cliff bands rising from creosote-bursage flats. The White Ghost hunt is one of Arizona's most prized once-in-a-lifetime bighorn draws, with very few tags and exceptional ram quality.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 40BWG

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 40B-WG

White Ghost rams use the west-side Kofa cliff systems and desert mountain ranges.

Kofa Mountains West Face

The stacked rimrock and cliff bands on the west side of the Kofas hold the core herd. We glass from the bajada fans below and work ram groups toward accessible stalking routes.

Castle Dome Complex

The Castle Dome Mountains on the southwest side of the unit hold secondary ram groups. Access is from BLM roads off US-95.

Slot Canyons

Narrow canyons cutting the west face are where mature rams bed. Identifying and naming these canyons during pre-season is critical for efficient hunting.

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How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 40B-WG

This is wilderness desert sheep hunting at the highest level.

Region IV Biologist Contact

AZGFD Region IV biologists in Yuma track Kofa ram groups and maintain refuge access relationships. We contact them the day we draw.

Wilderness Backpack Hunts

The Kofa NWR wilderness is foot/horseback only. Plan 7–14 day backpack hunts with careful water planning. Carry all water from outside or pre-cache.

Expert Guide Strongly Recommended

Nearly every White Ghost hunter uses an experienced Kofa bighorn guide. The terrain complexity, water logistics, and stalk planning justify the investment on a once-in-a-lifetime tag.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

Tag numbers are tiny (~9 across three recent years against ~896 applicants). Success rates on Arizona desert bighorn hunts consistently run 85–95% given the effort hunters put into these once-in-a-lifetime tags. Ram trophy quality in the Kofas is regularly 160+ B&C with occasional giants.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— General Rifle	3	227	0.9%
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	3	408	0.5%
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	4	890	0.4%

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

40B-WG is a top-tier Arizona bighorn draw. With ~9 tags over three years against ~896 applicants, odds per applicant run roughly 1% under AZ's weighted system. 20% of tags go to max-point applicants first; the remaining 80% route through a random weighted draw. Expect to need 15–25+ bonus points for realistic competitiveness. Harvesting an AZ bighorn ends eligibility to apply for bighorn in the state again.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

US-95 is paved. Palm Canyon Road (primary Kofa access) is maintained gravel. Interior refuge roads are rough two-track requiring high-clearance 4WD. Wilderness is foot-only.

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Hunting Pressure

Minimal. Tag caps and wilderness access keep the unit quiet.

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Weather

December–January hunts see 55–75°F days and 30–45°F nights. Water is scarce year-round; plan caches or carry.

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Cell Service

Along US-95 — adequate. In the refuge interior — none. Satellite communicator essential.

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Nearest Town

Quartzsite (basic services, RV hub, 20 miles north). Yuma (full services, hospital, ~75 miles south). Phoenix (full services, ~2.5 hours).

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Permit Notes

AZGFD tag required. Kofa NWR regulations apply — no motorized/mechanized travel in wilderness, pack-in pack-out water/trash.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 40B-WG and 40B-WT?

Both are west-side Kofa hunts with separate tag allocations. 40B-WG (White Ghost) and 40B-WT (White Tank) divide the west-side herd into adjacent hunt areas. Tag availability, timing, and specific ram groups differ — review AZGFD's current regulations for the exact boundaries.

How do I cache water for a Kofa backpack hunt?

Hike in pre-season with water containers and cache at safe, shaded locations. Mark GPS coordinates carefully. Check caches weekly during scouting — we've had caches compromised by wildlife and weather.

Do I need a guide for 40B-WG?

Not legally, but practically yes. The terrain, water logistics, and ram-finding expertise that experienced Kofa guides bring make the difference between a successful once-in-a-lifetime hunt and a frustrating one.

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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: Desert bighorn hunt structure, Kofa herd management, Once-in-a-lifetime tag · accessed 2026-04-17
2025-26 Arizona Hunting Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bighorn season structure, Tag allocation, Hunt boundaries · accessed 2026-04-17
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge — U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · supports: Refuge regulations, Wilderness boundaries, Access roads · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Weighted bonus point draw, 40B-WG historical odds · accessed 2026-04-17