Arizona Bighorn Sheep

Unit 43A (Harquahala – Eagletail)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 43A covers the Harquahala Mountains, Big Horn Mountains, Eagletail Mountains, and surrounding Sonoran Desert country in western Arizona. The unit is dominated by BLM lands with three congressionally designated wilderness areas (Harquahala Mountain, Big Horn Mountains, and Eagletail Mountains). Desert bighorn occupy the steep, rocky crests of all three ranges. Rams in the Harquahalas have produced book-class heads in recent years.

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 43A.

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Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 43A

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 43A

Rams distribute across the three main mountain ranges.

Harquahala Mountains

The Harquahalas (highest point ~5,700 ft) hold the largest ram group. Access is from BLM roads off US-60 near Aguila and the Salome area.

Big Horn Mountains

The Big Horns west of the Harquahalas hold a secondary ram group. BLM roads from the south (off I-10 near Tonopah) provide access.

Eagletail Mountains

The Eagletails on the west side of 43A hold scattered rams. Access is rough — most from BLM roads off I-10.

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How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 43A

43A is quintessential Arizona desert bighorn hunting.

Region IV Biologist Contact

AZGFD Region IV biologists track 43A ram groups across all three wildernesses. We contact them the day we draw.

Wilderness Backpack Hunts

All three main mountain ranges have designated wilderness areas — foot/horseback only. Plan 5–10 day backpack hunts with cached or packed water.

Pick One Range

Most successful hunters pick one mountain range based on pre-season scouting and commit full effort. Jumping between ranges eats time that should go into tracking one ram group.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

Tag numbers are tiny (~4 across three recent years against ~775 applicants). Success rates on AZ desert bighorn consistently run 85–95%. Ram quality in the Harquahalas has produced several book-class heads in recent years.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle	2	620	0.2%	0
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	2	297	0.7%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

43A is a top-tier Arizona bighorn draw. With ~4 tags against ~775 applicants over three years, odds per applicant run under 1% under AZ's weighted system. 20% of tags go to max-point applicants first, then 80% through a random weighted draw. Expect to need 15–25+ bonus points. 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-60 and I-10 paved. BLM and mine-access roads to the mountain ranges are rough two-track — high-clearance 4WD required. Wilderness is foot-only.

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Hunting Pressure

Minimal. Tag caps keep pressure negligible.

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Weather

November–January hunts see 60–80°F days and 35–50°F nights. Dry is the norm. Water is extremely scarce.

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Cell Service

Along US-60 and I-10 — adequate. In the wildernesses — none. Satellite communicator essential.

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Nearest Town

Aguila (very basic services — fuel, small store). Salome (basic). Wickenburg (moderate, ~45 min). Phoenix (full, ~90 min).

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Permit Notes

AZGFD tag required. Harquahala Mountain, Big Horn Mountains, and Eagletail Mountains Wildernesses rules apply — no motorized/mechanized travel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which range produces the best rams in 43A?

The Harquahalas have produced the most notable rams in recent years, but the Big Horns and Eagletails can both hold mature rams. Pre-season scouting with AZGFD biologist input drives the decision.

How do I handle water for a 43A backpack hunt?

There are very few developed catchments. We plan water caches placed during pre-season scouting. Mark GPS coordinates, check caches weekly, and carry backup for a full day.

Do I need a guide for 43A?

Not legally. Practically, most hunters benefit from a guide familiar with the three wildernesses — the terrain and water logistics are demanding for a first-time AZ sheep hunter.

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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 herd management, 43A populations, Once-in-a-lifetime tag · accessed 2026-04-17
2025-26 Arizona Hunting Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bighorn season structure, 43A tag allocation, Hunt boundaries · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Hassayampa Field Office — Harquahala, Big Horn, Eagletail Wildernesses — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Wilderness regulations, Access roads, Dispersed camping · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Weighted bonus point draw, 43A historical bighorn odds · accessed 2026-04-17