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Arizona Bighorn Sheep

Unit 46A (Aravaipa Canyon Desert Bighorn)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 46A covers the Aravaipa Canyon country and surrounding Galiuro foothills in southeast Arizona — classic desert bighorn sheep habitat with steep canyon walls, rimrock escape terrain, and scattered springs. AZGFD manages a small resident and transplant-supplemented desert bighorn population here. With only 1 tag over three years against 94 applicants, Unit 46A bighorn is a true max-point once-in-a-lifetime draw.

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Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 46A

Unit 46A covers the Aravaipa Canyon country and surrounding Galiuro foothills in southeast Arizona — classic desert bighorn sheep habitat with steep canyon walls, rimrock escape terrain, and scattered springs. AZGFD manages a small resident and transplant-supplemented desert bighorn population here. With only 1 tag over three years against 94 applicants, Unit 46A bighorn is a true max-point once-in-a-lifetime draw.

Where to Find Bighorn in Unit 46A

Desert bighorn in 46A use the rugged canyon walls and rimrock escape terrain above Aravaipa Canyon and the Galiuro foothills.

Aravaipa Canyon Rims

The canyon rimrock above Aravaipa Creek holds the core population. Rams bed near rocky escape cover during the day and drop toward water at first and last light.

Galiuro Foothills

Rocky foothills on the east side of the Galiuro Range hold transient and dispersing rams. Springs and seeps in the side canyons concentrate sheep during dry months.

Tributary Canyons

Side canyons off Aravaipa — Deer Creek, Turkey Creek — offer isolated pockets of sheep and lower hunter pressure during the season.

How to Hunt Bighorn in Unit 46A

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%
Unit 46A bighorn success rates run high — typically 80 to 100 percent on the single tag issued — because the drawn hunter usually invests the full season to find the right ram. Ram quality is solid desert bighorn class with 160-class horns possible.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— Late Rifle Dec11090.9% 0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Arizona uses a weighted bonus-point draw with 20 percent of tags going to the maximum-point applicants and 80 percent drawn through the weighted random bonus point system. A Hunter Education bonus point is awarded for completing the accredited course. Unit 46A bighorn with only 1 tag against 94 three-year applicants is functionally a max-point hunt — plan on maximum bonus points and apply every year to build the loyalty bonus. This is a true once-in-a-lifetime tag under Arizona's big-ram rules.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 46A bighorn a once-in-a-lifetime tag?
Yes. Arizona desert bighorn ram tags are once-in-a-lifetime under current rules — hunters who harvest a legal ram cannot apply for another ram tag for life. The one exception is the raffle and auction tags managed through conservation groups.
How many bonus points are needed for Unit 46A bighorn?
Maximum. With only 1 tag per year against ~94 three-year applicants, 46A functions as a max-point draw. The successful applicant is typically at or near the top of the point bank.

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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: Desert bighorn population status, Aravaipa transplant history, Once-in-a-lifetime tag rules · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing Information — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: 46A bighorn draw odds, Weighted bonus-point system, Historical applicant data · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness access rules, Permit requirements, Habitat summary · accessed 2026-04-17