Montana Bighorn Sheep

Unit 304-20 (Highland Mountains Sheep 304-20)

Montana Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep permit 304-20 is one of Montana's most restricted sheep tags, tied to the Highland Mountains area of southwest Montana. Permits are distributed exclusively through the FWP special drawing, with applicant demand dwarfing annual quota. We recommend reviewing current FWP regulations, legal-ram criteria, and population monitoring before applying for HD 304-20.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 304-20

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in HD 304-20

Rams in HD 304-20 use classic sheep country — cliff bands, rocky ridges, and the open feeding shelves above them. We glass from opposing vantage points where elevation allows us to scan cliff complexes without pressuring the herd.

Coordinate with FWP regional biologists before the season; they track recent ram sightings, collar data, and pneumonia-related disease events that can shift herd behavior year over year.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in HD 304-20

We plan HD 304-20 as a glassing-first, stalk-second hunt. Carry a premium spotting scope, pre-identify individual rams worth hunting, and commit to a multi-day camp in the high country. Classic sheep stalks use ridge backbones and rock features to approach unseen, with final shots often taken in the 200–400 yard band.

Mandatory horn-plugging and checkout are required by FWP on any harvested ram. Review the regulations booklet for legal-ram definitions and season rules before hunting.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

Montana sheep permit holders typically post very high success once a tag is in hand — often 70%+ district-wide. Check the FWP harvest report portal for HD 304-20 specific outcomes before committing travel plans.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	1	249	0.4%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

HD 304-20 attracts roughly 196 three-year applicants for about 1 annual permit, putting raw per-draw odds well under 1% without bonus points. Montana uses a weighted bonus point system for sheep, so multi-decade persistence is common among successful applicants. Check the FWP drawing statistics page for the latest year-by-year figures.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Terrain Difficulty

Very strenuous. Cliff, scree, and multi-day backcountry travel are the norm.

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Hunting Pressure

Low for sheep specifically because the quota is so small, but general recreation is present in road-accessible portions.

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Weather

Expect high wind, cold fronts, and possible snow at elevation. Plan for shelter and extended bivy capability.

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Permit Notes

All HD 304-20 permits are issued through FWP's special drawing.

Note: Coordinate pack-animal or solo-pack-out recovery in advance; some cliff-country kills require a multi-trip retrieval.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How competitive is the Montana HD 304-20 bighorn draw?

Extremely competitive. With roughly 196 three-year applicants and about 1 annual tag, raw per-draw odds are well below 1%. Multi-year bonus-point accumulation is typical for drawn applicants.

Are ewe tags available in HD 304-20?

Any ewe/either-sex opportunities change year to year based on herd objectives. Review the current Montana bighorn regulations and the HD 304-20 listing before applying.

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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 304-20 boundary geometry, Public-land and access overlays · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Hunt Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Bighorn legal-ram criteria, Mandatory checkout and plugging · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Drawing Statistics — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Applicant-to-permit ratio for HD 304-20, Bonus-point draw weighting · accessed 2026-04-17