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Colorado Bighorn Sheep

Unit S50

Colorado Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit S50 is a Colorado bighorn sheep unit with 145 applicants competing for 5 tags over three years — slightly more accessible than many sheep units but still a highly selective draw. The rugged canyon and alpine terrain of this Western Slope unit supports a healthy ram population. We regard S50 as a top-tier sheep tag that rewards dedicated preference point accumulation.

View Draw Odds Colorado Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit S50

Unit S50 is a Colorado bighorn sheep unit with 145 applicants competing for 5 tags over three years — slightly more accessible than many sheep units but still a highly selective draw. The rugged canyon and alpine terrain of this Western Slope unit supports a healthy ram population. We regard S50 as a top-tier sheep tag that rewards dedicated preference point accumulation.

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit S50

Bighorn sheep in Unit S50 occupy steep talus, rimrock, and alpine cliff bands across the unit's rugged terrain.

Talus and Cliff Faces

Glass all visible talus fields and cliff faces at long range before moving. Sheep blend into rocky backgrounds better than any other big game animal. A quality 15x-65x spotting scope is mandatory equipment.

Ram Groups vs. Ewe Groups

Mature rams spend most of the year in bachelor groups separate from ewes. Focus on the highest, most remote terrain to find rams. Ewe groups with lambs are a reliable indicator that rams are nearby in the same drainage during the November rut.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit S50

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle78%

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— 1st Season1372.7% 3

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine
Colorado's pure preference-point system governs bighorn sheep draws. Unit S50 at 5 tags and 145 applicants over three years puts it among the more competitive sheep units. Residents should plan for 12-20 preference points. Check the CPW draw recap for current point cutoffs.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many preference points does Unit S50 bighorn sheep take?
Unit S50 sees roughly 29 applicants per tag over three years. Residents should plan for 12-20 preference points. Check the CPW draw recap for the most current point accumulation data.

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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 Hunting Atlas — Bighorn Sheep Units — Colorado Parks and Wildlife / CSU NREL · supports: Unit S50 boundary geometry, Public land ownership layer, Bighorn sheep range · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. Colorado Big Game Hunting Brochure (Current Cycle) — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Bighorn sheep season dates, License structure, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. CPW Bighorn Sheep Hunt Statistics and Draw Recap — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Per-unit harvest totals, Hunter success rates, Draw recap preference point data · accessed 2026-04-17