Arizona Bighorn Sheep

Unit 45C (Patagonia Mountains)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

GMU 45C covers the Patagonia Mountains and surrounding grassland range of southern Santa Cruz County near the US-Mexico border. AZGFD manages a desert bighorn population in this rugged borderland mountain unit through an extremely limited-draw tag allocation — typically 1–3 tags per year. The Patagonias receive more moisture than most Arizona ranges due to their southern position, supporting a diverse shrub community that sustains bighorn through the dry pre-monsoon months.

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 45C.

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Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 45C

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in GMU 45C

Desert bighorn in the Patagonia Mountains occupy the rocky ridgelines and cliff systems of the highest terrain, particularly the north-facing canyon walls and exposed saddles above 4,500 feet.

Rocky Ridges and Canyon Heads

Set up glassing positions with clear views across multiple cliff bands and rocky ridges. Bighorn in the Patagonias tend to move between the upper rocky terrain for bedding and lower shrubby slopes for feeding in a predictable dawn-to-mid-morning window.

Water Sources Below Cliffs

Seasonal springs and tinajas (rock basins holding water) below cliff bands attract bighorn during summer and early hunting season. Locate these water sources during pre-season scouting and observe from a distance to inventory rams.

How to Hunt GMU 45C Desert Bighorn

Hunting desert bighorn in the Patagonia Mountains requires exceptional physical conditioning, quality optics, and weeks of dedicated pre-season scouting before the tag is drawn or the season opens.

Border Region Awareness

GMU 45C is in the southern Arizona borderland. Hunters should be aware of all applicable regulations and coordinate with local AZGFD officers before accessing the unit. Carry proper identification and stay informed about current border conditions.

Patient Ram Assessment

With 1–3 tags per year, every tag is a generational opportunity. Spend the first days of the hunt exclusively observing and evaluating all rams in the unit before deciding on a target. Document each ram with photos or video during scouting to help assess horn quality objectively.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

With only 1–3 tags issued annually, harvest statistics for GMU 45C are limited. Arizona desert bighorn units overall see 60–80% harvest success rates for hunters who invest in thorough scouting. Check AZGFD harvest reports for the most current available data.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— General Rifle	4	313	0.6%
Rifle— Late Rifle Nov	3	425	0.2%
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec	3	338	0.3%

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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GMU 45C bighorn sheep tags are extremely rare — 1–3 per year — and competition is strong among Arizona's dedicated sheep hunters. Build bonus points by applying every year through draw.azgfd.com. Expect to wait 15–25+ years before drawing a premium desert bighorn tag in Arizona.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Terrain Difficulty

Difficult — steep mountain terrain in remote borderland; requires high-clearance 4WD and physical fitness for canyon hiking

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Hunting Pressure

Essentially none — 1–3 tags per year

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Nearest Town

Patagonia (approx. 5–15 mi; limited services — fuel, basic groceries) or Nogales (approx. 30 mi; full services)

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Permit Notes

Extremely limited-draw tag; southern border proximity — carry ID, stay current on access conditions; apply annually through AZGFD bonus point draw

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any special access considerations for hunting GMU 45C near the border?

Yes. GMU 45C is in the southern Arizona borderland near the US-Mexico border. Always carry valid ID, follow all AZGFD and federal land management regulations, and contact the AZGFD Tucson regional office for current access advisories before your hunt. Apply for the tag through draw.azgfd.com during the annual application period.

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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 45C 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 45C, Applicant data · accessed 2026-04-17
AZGFD Desert Bighorn Sheep — Species Management — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Southern Arizona herd management, Population monitoring · accessed 2026-04-17