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Colorado Bighorn Sheep

Unit S66 (Lower Arkansas / Royal Gorge)

Colorado Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Sheep Unit S66 surrounds the Arkansas River canyon from Salida east through Royal Gorge, covering the rocky breaks of Fremont and Chaffee counties. Limited tags and a CPW-managed transplant herd make this one of Colorado's most sought-after desert-lean bighorn hunts.

View Draw Odds Colorado Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit S66

Sheep Unit S66 surrounds the Arkansas River canyon from Salida east through Royal Gorge, covering the rocky breaks of Fremont and Chaffee counties. Limited tags and a CPW-managed transplant herd make this one of Colorado's most sought-after desert-lean bighorn hunts.

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in S66

Sheep in S66 concentrate on the rocky south-facing faces along the Arkansas River gorge.

September Archery

Rams summer on high benches above Bighorn Sheep Canyon and the north rim near Parkdale. Glass at first light from the river road or the BLM two-tracks above.

October and November Rifle

As temperatures drop, rams move lower onto the exposed slopes near Texas Creek and Cotopaxi, often visible from US 50.

Mineral Licks and Water

The river is the only reliable water through most of the unit — sheep drop to drink once per day on side trails. Fresh tracks in river sand pin current travel routes.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in S66

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle78%
Archery55%
S66 ram success rates historically run 75-90% thanks to the limited tag pool and concentrated herd. Most hunters tag out in the first week if pre-season scouting has located mature rams.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— 1st Season1119.1% 3
Rifle— 1st Season52142.3% 3
Archery— 1st Season2553.6% 3

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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CPW bighorn tags use the preference-point system with a weighted random draw after points are spent. Unit S66 ram tags typically require 15+ resident points and 18+ non-resident points. Ewe tags draw with fewer points but see heavy competition.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many points does it take to draw S66 bighorn?
Most recent draws have cleared at 15-18 resident points and 18-20 non-resident points for ram tags. Point creep is steady. Ewe tags draw faster.
Can I hunt S66 bighorn without a guide?
Yes. Residents often hunt unguided with a partner. Non-residents are not required to hire a guide, though the steep canyon terrain makes experienced local help worthwhile for first-timers.

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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: Lower Arkansas herd history, Respiratory disease management, Population estimates · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. BLM Royal Gorge Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Public-land boundaries along the Arkansas, Access roads and trailheads, Dispersed camping rules · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. CPW Big Game Statistics — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: S66 bighorn harvest data, Hunter success rates, Tag quotas by season · accessed 2026-04-17