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Colorado Bighorn Sheep

Unit S15 (Never Summer Range)

Colorado Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Sheep Unit S15 covers the Never Summer Range on the west edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, straddling the Jackson-Grand county line. Steep alpine cirques, rocky escarpments, and Routt NF timber support a healthy transplanted bighorn herd. A classic, demanding alpine sheep hunt.

View Draw Odds Colorado Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit S15

Sheep Unit S15 covers the Never Summer Range on the west edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, straddling the Jackson-Grand county line. Steep alpine cirques, rocky escarpments, and Routt NF timber support a healthy transplanted bighorn herd. A classic, demanding alpine sheep hunt.

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in S15

S15 rams summer high on the Never Summer peaks.

Summer and Early Season

Rams on alpine benches at 11,500-12,500 feet near Nokhu Crags and Static Peak.

Rifle Season

Rams drop to mid-elevation cliff bands above 10,000 feet as snow stacks up.

Travel Routes

Sheep move between cirques along established trails — scout to learn them.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in S15

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle78%
S15 ram success runs 70-90% thanks to tight quotas. Successful hunters typically tag out within 5-7 days.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— 1st Season1156.7% 3
Rifle— 1st Season21022.0% 3
Rifle— 2nd Season2395.1% 3

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

CPW preference-point draw with weighted random. S15 ram tags typically require 15+ resident points, 18+ non-resident.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How physically demanding is S15?
Extremely demanding. Alpine terrain at 11,000+ feet requires backpack-camping fitness and climbing experience.
Do I need a guide for S15?
Residents often hunt unguided with a partner. Non-residents are not required to use a guide, but experienced assistance is valuable in the Never Summer alpine.

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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. CPW Bighorn Sheep Research — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Never Summer herd history, Population estimates, Disease management · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests — USDA Forest Service · supports: Never Summer Wilderness access, Trailhead list, Camping rules · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. CPW Big Game Statistics — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: S15 harvest, Hunter success, Quota structure · accessed 2026-04-17