Arizona Bighorn Sheep

Unit 44B (Canelo Hills–Santa Cruz Highlands)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

GMU 44B covers the Canelo Hills and Santa Cruz Highlands of southeastern Arizona in Santa Cruz County — rolling oak-grassland hill country transitioning to rocky mountain terrain along the international border. AZGFD manages a desert bighorn population here through an extremely limited-draw allocation, typically 1–3 tags annually. The sky island character of GMU 44B supports bighorn that use rocky ridge systems embedded in the oak woodland landscape, distinct from the classic barren-desert bighorn habitat of western Arizona units.

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 44B.

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Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 44B

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in GMU 44B

Bighorn in GMU 44B occupy the rocky outcrops and cliff bands embedded within the oak grassland of the Canelo Hills — a different landscape than classic barren-desert bighorn country.

Rocky Outcrops in Oak Country

Glass systematically across the rocky ridge systems and isolated cliff outcrops visible within the oak-grassland mosaic. Bighorn in sky island terrain blend into the rock differently than in barren desert — look for movement and the distinctive stocky body shape rather than the white rump patch against desert rock.

Riparian and Water Draw Concentration Points

The Canelo Hills receive more rainfall than western Arizona bighorn units, but reliable water sources still concentrate sheep. Locate perennial springs and seasonal stream crossings in pre-season scouting for the most reliable bighorn observation points.

How to Hunt GMU 44B Desert Bighorn

The oak-grassland sky island terrain of GMU 44B requires a different approach than classic desert bighorn hunting — sheep are distributed differently across the landscape and stalks play out in brushier conditions.

Adapting to Sky Island Terrain

The rolling oak country provides more stalking cover than barren desert units but also makes glassing more challenging. Prioritize ridgeline glassing positions that give views over the rocky outcrops where sheep use escape terrain. Slow, methodical glassing sessions — 2+ hours from each vantage — are essential.

Pre-Season Scouting Priority

Spend at least two to three scouting trips in the unit before the season opens. The unusual sky island bighorn habitat in 44B means you need to recalibrate your search image compared to western desert units — scouting is essential to understand where sheep are actually using this landscape.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

With 1–3 tags issued annually, GMU 44B-specific harvest data is limited. Hunters who commit to thorough scouting and understand the sky island bighorn habitat should see success rates comparable to other Arizona desert bighorn units (60–80%). Check AZGFD harvest reports for current available data.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle	4	646	0.5%	0
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	4	654	0.5%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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GMU 44B bighorn sheep tags are exceptionally rare — 1–3 per year. Apply every year through draw.azgfd.com and build bonus points consistently. Arizona desert bighorn tags in any unit represent a once-in-a-career opportunity that most hunters wait 15–25+ years to draw.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to difficult — rolling sky island terrain with rocky outcrops; mix of accessible roads and rough backcountry; 4WD recommended

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Hunting Pressure

Essentially none — 1–3 tags per year

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Nearest Town

Patagonia (approx. 10–20 mi; limited services) or Nogales (approx. 25 mi; full services)

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Permit Notes

Extremely limited-draw tag; apply annually through AZGFD bonus point draw at draw.azgfd.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a bighorn sheep tag in GMU 44B?

Apply through the Arizona Game and Fish Department draw portal at draw.azgfd.com during the annual application period (typically January–February). Tags are extremely limited (1–3 per year). Apply every year without exception to accumulate bonus points under Arizona's bonus point draw system.

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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 2026 Bighorn Sheep Hunt Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 44B bighorn season, Tag allocation, Legal weapon types · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bonus point draw, Historical tag counts for 44B · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Desert Bighorn Sheep — Species Management — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Sky island bighorn management, Population monitoring in southeastern Arizona units · accessed 2026-04-17