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Colorado Bighorn Sheep

Unit S72

Colorado Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit S72 is among Colorado's most competitive bighorn sheep draws, with 143 applicants for only 1 tag over three years. This unit covers remote canyon and alpine sheep habitat on the Western Slope. Hunters who draw this tag experience a truly rare opportunity in some of Colorado's most demanding terrain. We consider S72 a pure trophy pursuit that demands a maximum preference-point strategy.

View Draw Odds Colorado Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit S72

Unit S72 is among Colorado's most competitive bighorn sheep draws, with 143 applicants for only 1 tag over three years. This unit covers remote canyon and alpine sheep habitat on the Western Slope. Hunters who draw this tag experience a truly rare opportunity in some of Colorado's most demanding terrain. We consider S72 a pure trophy pursuit that demands a maximum preference-point strategy.

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit S72

Bighorn sheep in Unit S72 use the most rugged and remote terrain in the unit — cliff-edge bedding areas, steep talus fields, and high ridgeline travel routes.

Remote Basin Glassing

With one tag in three years, this unit's sheep face almost no hunting pressure. Animals will be in their natural patterns and fully relaxed. Glass every rock outcrop and talus slope from the highest accessible ridge.

Seasonal Patterns

Ram bands stay high in summer. By October and November, breeding activity pulls rams into more accessible terrain near ewe groups. Time your hunt to coincide with the rut for the best encounter rates.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit S72

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle78%

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— 1st Season1293.4% 3
Rifle— 1st Season11430.7% 3

Data from 2020 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine
Colorado's pure preference-point system governs bighorn sheep draws. Unit S72 at 1 tag over three years is the most competitive bighorn draw in the dataset — 143 applicants for 1 tag means residents realistically need 20+ preference points. This is a true once-in-a-lifetime accumulation target.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit S72 bighorn sheep a once-in-a-lifetime tag?
In practical terms, yes. With 1 tag over three years and 143 applicants, residents face 20+ year wait times at current accumulation rates. It functions as a once-in-a-lifetime hunting experience for virtually all hunters who pursue it.

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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 S72 boundary geometry, Public land ownership, Bighorn sheep range data · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. Colorado Big Game Hunting Brochure (Current Cycle) — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Bighorn sheep season dates, License structure, Tag quota · 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 point data · accessed 2026-04-17