Arizona Bighorn Sheep

Unit 42/44A (Cibola – Trigo/Chocolate Bighorn)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

The combined Unit 42/44A bighorn hunt covers the Trigo Mountains, Chocolate Mountains, and surrounding BLM country along the lower Colorado River corridor west of Yuma. Desert bighorn thrive in the cliff-rimmed ranges rising from the Colorado River floodplain. Access is from US-95 and the Imperial NWR/Cibola NWR perimeter roads. This is classic lower Colorado desert sheep habitat — dry, rocky, and scenic.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 42/44A

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 42/44A

Unit 42/44A rams use the volcanic and sedimentary ranges rising from the Colorado River floodplain.

Trigo Mountains

The Trigo Mountains Wilderness holds the primary ram population. Access from BLM roads off US-95 between Quartzsite and Yuma.

Chocolate Mountains

The Chocolate Mountains on the California side drain into Arizona sheep country. Secondary groups use the eastern Chocolate slopes.

Colorado River Canyon Walls

Steep canyon walls above the river hold occasional rams. Boat-access from Imperial Dam area.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 42/44A

Unit 42/44A is classic lower Colorado River desert sheep country.

Scout via BLM Roads

BLM roads skirt the Trigo Wilderness boundary. Spend pre-season weekends driving and glassing. Contact AZGFD Region IV in Yuma for current ram intel.

Hire a Guide

Most successful hunters use Arizona-licensed outfitters familiar with the Trigo and Chocolate ram groups. Given the once-in-a-lifetime stakes, it's worth the investment.

Cliff-Band Tactics

Locate rams on cliff benches with high-power spotting scopes from distant valley-floor vantages. Plan approaches from above where possible.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

Unit 42/44A success rates run 85–95%, consistent with AZ desert sheep averages. With only ~4 tags over three years, every hunter scouts thoroughly. Ram quality is solid — 155–170 B&C is typical with occasional 170+ rams from the Trigo population.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle	2	398	0.5%	0
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	2	523	0.2%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 42/44A is a once-in-a-lifetime bighorn draw. With only ~4 tags over three years and 939 applicants, odds per applicant run about 0.4%. Arizona's weighted bonus-point system sends 20% of tags to max-point holders first, 80% via random weighted draw. Plan on 15–25+ bonus points for realistic competitiveness.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Trailer Access

US-95 paved and handles any rig. BLM access roads graded dirt — short trailers OK in dry conditions. Wilderness foot-only.

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Water

Fill in Quartzsite, Yuma, Blythe (CA), or at Imperial Dam. No reliable natural water in the cliff country.

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Road Conditions

US-95 paved. BLM roads range from graded to rough 4WD two-track. Wilderness foot-only.

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Terrain Difficulty

Extreme. Volcanic cliff bands, cactus, loose rock, exposed scrambles.

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Hunting Pressure

Minimal. 1–2 tags per year.

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Weather

November–December season. Days 65–78°F, nights 45–55°F. Very dry, generally pleasant desert sheep conditions.

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Cell Service

Verizon/AT&T along US-95 and near Quartzsite and Yuma. None in the Trigo or Chocolate backcountry. Satellite communicator essential.

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Nearest Town

Quartzsite (full fuel, RV services). Yuma (full services, hospital, 45–60 min south). Blythe, CA across the river (full services).

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Permit Notes

Bighorn tag required. Trigo Mountains Wilderness rules apply. Cibola NWR has separate hunting regulations — verify before crossing refuge boundaries.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hunt within Cibola NWR?

The refuge has specific hunting regulations — some areas are closed, some are open with permit. Verify with USFWS Cibola NWR before planning any refuge-side stalks. Most Unit 42/44A hunting happens on BLM lands outside the refuge.

How does 42/44A compare to 41E/41W for bighorn?

All three are premier lower-Colorado desert sheep units. 41W (Kofa) is the most famous. 41E and 42/44A are comparable in quality with slightly less applicant pressure than Kofa.

What's the best time of year to scout Unit 42/44A?

October is prime — temperatures drop to manageable levels and rams are beginning to band up for the breeding season. Pre-season scouting in August–September is miserable in 100+°F heat.

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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: 42/44A combined bighorn hunt, Trigo and Chocolate Mountains, Lower Colorado River corridor, Once-in-a-lifetime tag · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: 42/44A bighorn draw odds, Tag allocation, Bonus point rules · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Yuma Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Trigo Mountains Wilderness, Cibola/Imperial NWR perimeter, Travel management · accessed 2026-04-17
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge — US Fish and Wildlife Service · supports: NWR hunting regulations, Access points, Special rules · accessed 2026-04-17