Oregon Bighorn Sheep

Unit 568 (Imnaha Bighorn)

Oregon Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 568 (Imnaha Bighorn) is located in Northeast Oregon and is managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Bighorn Sheep hunting in this unit is allocated through ODFW's controlled-hunt draw, so a successful application is the first step for any hunter planning to pursue bighorn sheep here. Use the Draw Odds chart on this page to see current trendlines for this hunt.

View Draw Odds Oregon Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 568

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 568

Bighorn sheep in Oregon occupy steep, rocky escape terrain with reliable forage on adjacent benches and slopes. Herds tend to stay close to the cliffs and rimrock that give them security from predators.

Escape Terrain

Focus glassing on the rim faces, talus slopes, and broken rock features of the unit. Rams often bed where they can see long distances and drop into cliffs if disturbed.

Benches and Grass Basins

Between feeding sessions, sheep use grassy benches near the edge of steep terrain. Early and late in the day they pull out into more open ground to feed, then retreat to bed in rougher country during mid-day.

Water and Travel Corridors

Springs, seeps, and small drainages within sheep country act as consistent travel corridors. Glassing these spots patiently from a high vantage is often more productive than still-hunting through the rocks.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 568

Oregon bighorn tags are rare and valuable. Plan on multiple days of glassing and be prepared for technical terrain.

Scout with Optics

High-quality binoculars and a spotting scope are essential. Glass long and systematically across rock faces and benches before ever moving.

Mature Ram Identification

Take time to judge rams carefully. Oregon sheep hunts are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for most hunters, and picking the right animal matters.

Technical Terrain

Shots and pack-outs in sheep country can be dangerous. Bring a partner if possible, plan safe routes, and carry proper gear for steep ground.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Archery45%

any legal weapon55%

Recent draw results and success trends for Unit 568 bighorn sheep are shown in the Draw Odds chart on this page. Refer to that tool for hunter-reported success and applicant trends rather than summary estimates.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Archery— Controlled	1	638	0.2%
Archery— Controlled	1	237	0.4%
Any Legal Weapon— Controlled	1	711	0.1%
Any Legal Weapon— Controlled	1	485	0.2%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Oregon uses a 75/25 controlled-hunt draw that combines preference points and a random allocation. Unit 568 bighorn sheep tags are awarded through that system, and the Draw Odds chart on this page reflects the current trendlines for applicants and tags. Use that chart alongside ODFW's controlled-hunt navigation page when building your application strategy.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping is widely available on public land, with some developed campgrounds on national forest and BLM land.

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Water

Generally good — streams and springs are common in drainage bottoms across most of the unit.

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Road Conditions

Mix of paved access roads, gravel forest roads, and rougher spur roads. 4WD and high clearance are helpful for deeper access.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous — steep alpine or rocky terrain with exposure and significant elevation gain.

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Hunting Pressure

Very low — tag numbers are tightly limited and few hunters are in the unit at any given time.

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Weather

Mountain and forest conditions with cool mornings, mild afternoons in early season, and increasing chance of rain and snow as the season progresses.

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Cell Service

Spotty to none in the backcountry. Expect coverage only near paved highways and larger towns.

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Nearest Town

Nearest services are in small rural Oregon towns typical of the region. Stock up on fuel, groceries, and any last-minute gear before heading into the unit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for Unit 568 bighorn sheep?

Unit 568 bighorn sheep tags are allocated through ODFW's controlled-hunt draw. Apply through the ODFW controlled-hunt application process by the state's published deadline, using the hunt number that matches this unit and season.

Is Unit 568 a good choice for bighorn sheep?

Check the Draw Odds chart on this page for current applicant and tag trends. Comparing this unit's draw odds and tag counts to neighboring units is the most reliable way to judge whether it fits your point level and hunt goals.

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Sources & Verification

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

Oregon Big Game Regs (eRegulations) — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: WMU boundaries and controlled-hunt numbers, Season dates per weapon and species · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Big Game Hub — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Species season structures and regulations, Public-access and access-program overviews · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Big Game Statistics — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: Per-WMU harvest totals and hunter success rates, Population estimates per management unit · accessed 2026-04-17
ODFW Controlled Hunt Navigation — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife · supports: 75/25 preference-point and random draw structure, Historical draw odds per controlled-hunt number · accessed 2026-04-17