Montana Bighorn Sheep

Unit 680-20

Montana Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep hunting district 680-20 is one of Montana's limited-permit sheep districts administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). Permits are issued through FWP's special drawing and are in very high demand relative to the number available. Hunters should review current FWP regulations for license type, quota, and season structure before applying.

View Draw Odds Montana Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 680-20

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in HD 680-20

Bighorn sheep in HD 680-20 use the steep, broken terrain typical of Montana sheep country. Use the FWP Hunt Planner to identify public land, access points, and topography that matches classic sheep habitat — rugged slopes, cliff bands, and adjacent feeding benches.

Plan scouting around high vantage points that let you glass large areas quickly, and note how rams shift with weather and hunting pressure once the season opens.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in HD 680-20

A sheep permit in Montana is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most hunters, so invest heavily in preseason scouting. Spend multiple days locating rams, documenting their patterns, and identifying backup groups in case your primary band relocates.

Successful sheep hunts typically combine long-range glassing with patient stalks that use broken terrain for cover. Be prepared for steep, strenuous country and technical shot setups, and always verify current FWP regulations for legal animal definitions and weapon rules before the hunt.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle75%

FWP publishes harvest reports and hunter success for sheep districts each year. Reviewing the most recent FWP harvest data for HD 680-20 provides the best baseline for expected success and trends in ram availability.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— General	9	5,895	0.2%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Bighorn sheep permits in HD 680-20 are issued through FWP's special drawing and are among the most competitive tags in Montana. FWP uses a bonus point system for sheep, and applicants typically accumulate points for many years before drawing. Check FWP drawing statistics each spring for the latest applicant-to-permit ratios.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

Access relies on a mix of county and Forest Service or BLM secondary roads. Spur roads often require high-clearance or 4WD, and conditions can degrade quickly with weather changes.

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Hunting Pressure

Hunter density is extremely low because of the limited number of permits, but each permit holder scouts intensively, which can concentrate activity in the most productive pockets.

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Weather

Expect cool fall conditions early, shifting to cold, snowy weather later in the season. Sudden mountain storms are common, so pack layered insulation and gear that performs in wet and windy conditions.

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Permit Notes

Access this HD requires a limited-entry bighorn sheep permit drawn through FWP. Review the current regulations and drawing information before applying.

Note: Review FWP's Plan-a-Hunt tool and Block Management listings for the most current public access information inside the district.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a bighorn sheep permit for Montana HD 680-20?

Bighorn sheep permits in HD 680-20 are limited and issued through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' special drawing. Apply through FWP by the posted deadline and accumulate bonus points over multiple years to improve long-run draw odds.

Where can I find official regulations for HD 680-20?

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks publishes current season dates, weapon rules, quotas, legal animal definitions, and access information through its Plan-a-Hunt tool and annual hunt regulations. Always confirm details on fwp.mt.gov before your hunt.

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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: Bighorn sheep hunting district boundary identification, Public land and access overlays · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Hunt Regulations — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Bighorn sheep season dates and weapon rules, District-level license and legal animal definitions · accessed 2026-04-17
FWP Special Drawings — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · supports: Sheep permit drawing process and deadlines, Bonus point structure for sheep applicants · accessed 2026-04-17