Arizona Bighorn Sheep

Unit 46AW (Lower Colorado River – Lake Havasu)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 46AW is an Arizona desert bighorn sheep unit in the lower Colorado River corridor south and east of Lake Havasu City, Mohave County. The unit encompasses rugged desert mountain ranges — including the Buckskin and Whipple Mountains — that support a resident desert bighorn population managed by AZGFD. Tags are among the most coveted in the western US and are issued through AZGFD's weighted bonus-point draw. Arizona desert bighorn hunting is a once-in-a-lifetime tag for most hunters.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 46AW

Where to Find Desert Bighorn in Unit 46AW

Desert bighorn in Unit 46AW concentrate on the rugged rocky ranges bordering the Colorado River corridor, using steep escape terrain, sparse desert vegetation, and seasonal water sources.

Buckskin Mountains

The Buckskin Mountains — managed as a State Recreation Area and BLM land — hold a resident bighorn population on the steep rocky slopes and cliff bands overlooking Parker Valley. Glass rim rocks and saddles from the valley floor with a quality spotting scope at dawn and dusk.

Whipple Mountains

The Whipple Mountains east of Parker provide additional bighorn habitat with classic desert rocky terrain. Rams use the highest, most exposed ridges and cliff systems — spot from below and plan approaches that keep you below the rams' line of sight.

Seasonal Water

In the Sonoran Desert, water is everything. Natural tinajas (rock potholes), wildlife water developments, and Colorado River tributaries concentrate bighorn — especially during the hot fall hunting season. Identify water sources from AZGFD wildlife water maps before your hunt.

How to Hunt Desert Bighorn in Unit 46AW

Desert bighorn hunting in Unit 46AW is a physically demanding, optics-intensive pursuit across some of Arizona's most rugged desert terrain.

Spot-and-Stalk Fundamentals

Glass from valley floors and elevated vantage points using a quality tripod-mounted spotting scope (80–85mm recommended). Look for rams on rim rocks and saddles at first light — the lower Colorado desert gets brutally hot by 10 a.m. Plan your stalks for early morning or late afternoon. Glass first, move second — never.

Closing the Distance

Desert bighorn have exceptional eyesight. Stalks must use terrain — gullies, ridge contours, and rock formations — to stay out of the ram's sight line throughout the approach. Wear dull, desert-matching clothing and move slowly. Wind is generally predictable in desert terrain — thermals rise in the morning and fall in the evening.

Heat Management

Arizona desert bighorn seasons in the fall overlap extreme heat. Hunt during the cooler morning and evening windows; rest during midday. Carry 4+ liters of water per day. Shade, electrolytes, and rest days are not optional — heat exhaustion in remote desert terrain is a medical emergency.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

Arizona desert bighorn hunts historically produce very high success rates — typically 70–90% for hunters who put in the necessary scouting and physical preparation. The combination of skilled hunter selection (via difficult draw), remote terrain, and healthy population management creates excellent conditions. Most rams are taken within the first three days of the hunt by well-prepared hunters.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General Rifle	1	53	0.0%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 46AW bighorn sheep tags are among the rarest in the western US. Very few permits are issued annually from a large applicant pool. Arizona's weighted bonus-point draw rewards years of patient applications — most successful applicants hold 15–25+ points. Once drawn, the tag is a once-in-a-lifetime desert bighorn opportunity for most hunters. Nonresidents compete within the strict 10% cap. Apply every year without exception.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Buckskin Mountain State Park has developed RV camping with hookups (reservable via AZStateParks.gov). Lake Havasu City has multiple RV parks. These are the practical base for unit access.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping on BLM land within the unit. Vehicle access to the Whipple Mountains via BLM roads east of Parker. Primitive but flat sites available.

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Trailer Access

Highway 95 along the Colorado River is paved and handles all sizes. BLM roads into the Buckskin and Whipple Mountains are rough and not suitable for trailers — stage near the highway.

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Water

Lake Havasu City and Parker have full services for water fill. No reliable backcountry water — carry all water (minimum 4L per person per day in fall heat).

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Road Conditions

BLM roads into the Buckskin and Whipple Mountains are rough desert two-track requiring high-clearance 4WD. Some roads are sandy wash crossings that change seasonally.

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Terrain Difficulty

Very rugged. Steep, rocky desert mountain terrain with no trails. Significant physical fitness and desert navigation experience required.

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Hunting Pressure

Extremely low. Minimal tag allocation ensures that hunters rarely encounter each other in the unit during the season.

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Weather

Fall bighorn season (typically October–December): daytime temperatures 75–95°F in October, cooling to 55–75°F in December. Cold nights possible late in the season. Hydration is critical at all times.

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Cell Service

Good coverage along Highway 95 and in Lake Havasu City/Parker. Rapidly degrades in the Buckskin and Whipple Mountain interiors.

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Nearest Town

Lake Havasu City (full services, hospital, gear, lodging — northern access). Parker (full services — eastern/southern access).

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Permit Notes

AZGFD bighorn sheep tag required. Arizona desert bighorn is typically a once-in-a-lifetime tag — confirm current rules in AZGFD regulations. BLM and AZ State Parks rules apply to vehicle access.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arizona desert bighorn a once-in-a-lifetime tag?

Yes — Arizona desert bighorn sheep is a once-in-a-lifetime tag for both residents and nonresidents. Once you harvest a desert bighorn in Arizona, you are no longer eligible to apply for another Arizona desert bighorn tag. Verify current exceptions in the AZGFD regulations before applying.

What is the typical ram quality in Unit 46AW?

Unit 46AW produces solid desert bighorn rams with full-curl and 3/4-curl rams available. Desert bighorn rams in the lower Colorado River corridor are not typically as massive as some higher-desert units but provide outstanding trophy and hunting experiences in classic bighorn terrain.

What gear do I need for a desert bighorn hunt in Unit 46AW?

A quality 80-85mm tripod-mounted spotting scope is essential. Plan for 4+ liters of water per person per day, lightweight but rugged boots with ankle support, and desert-camouflage clothing. A satellite communicator is mandatory in this remote terrain. A quality pack frame for meat packing from remote canyons is also critical.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

AZGFD Desert Bighorn Sheep — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Desert bighorn range and population management, Unit 46AW habitat description, Tag allocation and draw framework · accessed 2026-04-18
AZGFD Draw Portal — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 46AW bighorn sheep draw odds, Bonus point system, Once-in-a-lifetime rules · accessed 2026-04-18
2025-26 Arizona Hunting Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bighorn sheep season structure, Legal weapon types, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-18
BLM Lake Havasu Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Buckskin and Whipple Mountains access, BLM road conditions, Public land designation in Unit 46AW · accessed 2026-04-18