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Arizona Bighorn Sheep

Unit 45B (Cabeza Prieta – Sierra Pinta)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 45B covers the central portion of Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and adjacent Barry M. Goldwater Range West country. The Sierra Pinta, Mohawk, and Bryan Mountains rise from creosote flats at 500–3,500 feet elevation. Desert bighorn occupy the volcanic and granitic rimrock of these isolated ranges. The hunt is the most remote and access-complicated sheep draw in Arizona, with triple-permit requirements (AZGFD + Cabeza Prieta NWR + BMGR West).

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Access roads, campgrounds, elevation, monthly weather, stock tanks, cell coverage, and nearest-town services for Unit 45B.
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Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 45B

Unit 45B covers the central portion of Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and adjacent Barry M. Goldwater Range West country. The Sierra Pinta, Mohawk, and Bryan Mountains rise from creosote flats at 500–3,500 feet elevation. Desert bighorn occupy the volcanic and granitic rimrock of these isolated ranges. The hunt is the most remote and access-complicated sheep draw in Arizona, with triple-permit requirements (AZGFD + Cabeza Prieta NWR + BMGR West).

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 45B

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How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 45B

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%
Tag numbers are tiny (~7 across three recent years against ~693 applicants). Success on AZ desert bighorn consistently runs 85–95%. Cabeza Prieta rams have produced several book-class heads in recent decades.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle22180.5% 0
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov43650.8% 0
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec32550.8% 0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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45B is a premium AZ bighorn draw. With ~7 tags against ~693 applicants over three years, odds per applicant run roughly 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many permits do I need for Unit 45B?
Three — AZGFD bighorn tag, Cabeza Prieta NWR access permit, and Goldwater Range West permit. All three must be current on your hunt dates.
Is 45B safe given border proximity?
The hunt area is very close to the U.S.–Mexico border. Monitor USFWS and Customs and Border Protection advisories. Travel in pairs, carry a satellite communicator, and be aware of cross-border smuggling routes.
Do I need an outfitter for 45B?
Strongly recommended. The logistics alone — triple permits, water caches, range coordination, border awareness — justify an experienced Cabeza outfitter.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

  1. AZGFD Desert Bighorn Sheep Management — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Cabeza Prieta herd management, 45B boundaries, Once-in-a-lifetime tag · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. 2025-26 Arizona Hunting Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bighorn season structure, 45B tag allocation, Hunt boundaries · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge — U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · supports: Refuge regulations, Access permit required, Wilderness boundaries · accessed 2026-04-17
  4. AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Weighted bonus point draw, 45B historical odds · accessed 2026-04-17