Arizona Bighorn Sheep

Unit 41E (Yuma – Kofa East Bighorn)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 41E is the eastern bighorn subdivision of Arizona's Unit 41, which spans the New Water Mountains, Eagletail Mountains, and associated BLM ranges east of Yuma and south of Interstate 10. The unit contains some of the finest desert bighorn habitat in the state, with rimrock ridges, isolated ranges, and minimal human disturbance. Sheep densities are solid and rams are regularly harvested in the 155–170 B&C range. Access is via BLM roads and the Eagletail Mountains Wilderness.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 41E

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 41E

Unit 41E sheep hold in the cliff-rimmed desert ranges that dominate the east Yuma/south La Paz area.

Eagletail Mountains

The Eagletail Wilderness holds strong ram populations in its signature cliff bands and granite spires. Access via Courthouse Rock Road off I-10.

New Water Mountains

The New Water Mountains Wilderness north of the Eagletails provides secondary habitat. Glass from outside the wilderness boundary, then hike in.

Outlying Ridges and Bajadas

Scattered ram groups use the isolated ridge systems between the major ranges. Pre-season scouting via AZGFD Region IV contacts helps narrow search areas.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 41E

Unit 41E is desert sheep country at its most iconic — cliff bands, cactus flats, and long glassing sessions.

Pre-Scout Through AZGFD

Contact Region IV biologists in Yuma well ahead of the hunt for current ram concentrations. Spend multiple weekends glassing from BLM roads and scouting escape routes.

Hire a Guide

Most successful 41E hunters use Arizona-licensed outfitters. The terrain and the stakes make this a sensible investment for a once-in-a-lifetime tag.

Cliff-Band Tactics

Locate rams on cliff benches with spotting scopes, then plan approaches from above or along the rim. Shots often come from 150–300 yards across narrow canyons.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

Success rates for Unit 41E run 90%+ across recent seasons given the tiny tag numbers (~2 annually on the 3-year average) and intensive scouting that every hunter conducts. Ram quality is excellent — the 155–170 B&C range is typical, with occasional 170+ rams.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle	3	502	0.4%	0
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	5	968	0.4%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 41E bighorn is a once-in-a-lifetime draw. With ~6 tags over three years and 1,142 applicants, odds per applicant run around 0.5%. Arizona's weighted bonus-point system routes 20% of tags to max-point holders first; the other 80% go to a random weighted draw. Expect 15–25+ bonus points to be realistically competitive. Arizona residents who take a bighorn in any unit become permanently ineligible to apply for bighorn again.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Trailer Access

I-10 and US-60 are paved and handle any rig. BLM access roads like Courthouse Rock Road and Eagletail Road are graded dirt — friendly to short trailers when dry.

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Water

Very limited. Fill in Quartzsite, Wenden, Salome, or Tonopah. No reliable natural water in the high ram country.

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Road Conditions

Highways paved. BLM access roads range from graded dirt to rough 4WD two-track. Wilderness is foot-only.

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Terrain Difficulty

Extreme. Cactus-choked cliff bands, loose rock, exposed scrambles, multi-thousand-foot climbs.

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Hunting Pressure

Minimal. 2 tags per year.

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Weather

Sheep season November–December. Days 60–75°F, nights 40–55°F. Generally dry and pleasant for desert sheep hunting.

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Cell Service

Coverage on I-10 corridor and in Quartzsite. None in the Eagletail or New Water backcountry. Satellite communicator required.

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Nearest Town

Quartzsite (full fuel, RV services, basic groceries). Wenden and Salome (limited). Parker (full services) and Yuma (full services, hospital) are 60–90 minutes away.

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Permit Notes

Bighorn tag required. Wilderness rules apply in the Eagletail and New Water ranges — no motorized/mechanized travel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Unit 41E compare to Kofa (41W) for bighorn?

The Kofa (unit 41W / Kofa NWR) is the most famous Arizona sheep unit; 41E to the east offers comparable ram quality with somewhat less applicant pressure and more BLM wilderness access.

Can I camp in the Eagletail Wilderness?

Yes — dispersed backpack camping is allowed in BLM wilderness. No motorized or mechanized travel, no permanent structures, and pack out all trash.

How long should a 41E sheep hunt be?

Plan 10–14 days minimum. Pre-season scouting adds another 2–4 weekends of effort. Rams move across large areas and the right shot opportunity may take days to develop.

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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: Unit 41E sheep population, Eagletail and New Water Mountain herds, Once-in-a-lifetime tag, Multi-thousand-foot canyon relief · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bighorn draw rules, 41E historical odds, Tag allocation · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Yuma Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Eagletail Mountains Wilderness, New Water Mountains Wilderness, Access roads · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Lake Havasu Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Northern access points, Travel management, Dispersed camping · accessed 2026-04-17