Montana Bighorn Sheep

Unit 250-20 (West Fork Bitterroot Sheep 250-20)

Montana Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep permit 250-20 is a restricted sheep tag in the West Fork Bitterroot area of western Montana. Permits are distributed exclusively through FWP's special drawing with very small quotas. We recommend reviewing FWP regulations, legal-ram rules, and population monitoring for HD 250-20 before applying.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 250-20

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in HD 250-20

West Fork Bitterroot rams use rugged cliff complexes, rocky ridges, and feeding benches adjacent to escape terrain. We glass from opposing ridge vantage points, watching light travel across rock faces morning and evening.

Coordinate with FWP Region 2 biologists before the season for current ram sighting data and herd-health context.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in HD 250-20

We plan HD 250-20 as a glassing-first sheep hunt with multi-day camps at elevation. Identify a specific legal ram, verify horn criteria through optics, and route a safe stalk using ridge backbones and rock features. Final shots commonly land in the 200–400 yard range.

Any harvested ram requires mandatory horn plugging and checkout per FWP regulations. Confirm all rules before the season.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

Montana sheep hunters typically post high fill rates once drawn. Review the FWP harvest report portal for HD 250-20 district-specific results each year.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	1	212	0.5%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

HD 250-20 produced roughly 156 three-year applicants against about 1 annual permit — raw per-draw odds well under 1% without bonus points. Montana's weighted bonus-point system improves long-run odds. Check the FWP drawing statistics page for current data.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Terrain Difficulty

Very strenuous. Cliff, scree, and multi-day backcountry travel dominate.

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Hunting Pressure

Very low for sheep specifically because the quota is minimal.

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Weather

Expect variable mountain weather with cold fronts and possible snow at elevation.

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Nearest Town

Darby and Hamilton on the Bitterroot side provide fuel, groceries, and basic services.

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Permit Notes

All HD 250-20 permits are issued through FWP's special drawing.

Note: Plan multi-day packs with shelter suited for surprise storms at elevation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How often is HD 250-20 drawn without bonus points?

Very rarely. With roughly 156 applicants against about 1 permit, raw per-draw odds are well below 1%. Bonus points improve long-run odds but do not guarantee a tag.

Does HD 250-20 include wilderness terrain?

Portions border or include wilderness country. Review the current Bitterroot NF travel plan and Plan-a-Hunt overlay before planning motorized or mechanized recovery.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

FWP Plan-a-Hunt — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: HD 250-20 boundary, Bitterroot National Forest overlay · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Hunt Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Bighorn legal-ram criteria, Mandatory plugging and checkout · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Drawing Statistics — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Applicant-to-permit history for HD 250-20, Bonus-point weighting · accessed 2026-04-17