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Arizona is home to two distinct subspecies of Desert bighorn sheep: the Nelsoni and the Mexican. The Nelsoni inhabit the northern region, while the Mexicana are found in the south. Although there are some subtle differences between these species, both are recognized as Desert bighorn sheep, and the chance to harvest one is one of the most coveted feats in hunting. The populations throughout the state remain robust, allowing for nearly 100% success rates for all hunts. Many Desert sheep units in Arizona offer the potential for rams to reach 170”, with some even exceeding the impressive 180” mark. Generally, the larger rams tend to come from the southern units where the Mexicana sheep are located.

Every year, it seems AZGFD makes a fair number of cuts to its sheep units, and this year is no different. Desert bighorn unit 15C north had a permit cut and now only one permit, is now a resident-only hunt. Units 15D and 44B north had permit reductions but remained in the non-resident draw pool. That said, most of the changes involved in the increasing tag numbers or stratifying the hunt to alleviate hunter pressure. Units 40B Tinajas, 41E, and 44B South all had their hunts stratified but kept the same number of tags overall. They all shifted tags to an additional season to alleviate hunting pressure for those lucky enough to draw a sheep tag. Units 41 West, 43A, and 45C all received tag increases.

Top point applicants will want to take note this year if planning on applying for Desert sheep unit 22. The state has plans in place to drain Canyon Lake in order to repair the dam. Most hunters and guides that access the hunt units will be using boat from Canyon Lake, oftentimes spotting rams from the lake and shoreline. This access will not exist this year, and hunters will be forced to come in from above, which greatly increases the physical difficulty of this hunt.

Other notable changes for residents involve two additional hunts added to unit 37A North, giving this unit three hunts with one tag each. Additionally, unit 44A was split to 44A West and 44A East, both of which only have one tag. Despite big hopes that the tag quota in unit 24B would be increased this year, both 24B North and 24B South are still only available to residents. It is obvious that last year’s surveys were a fluke and that populations remain low.

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep have a smaller range in Arizona than Desert bighorns, but they are equally as impressive in quality. While there were very few changes in 2026 to Rocky Mountain bighorn hunts, there was one big one. Unit 6A, which was once touted as one of the best and most productive bighorn populations in the state, is now down to one tag and will only be available to residents this year. The Upper Blue River received a one tag increase this year and was separated completely from the Lower Blue River hunt to push back into the mix of non-resident hunts for the first time since 2022. The Lower Blue River remains in the resident-only pool.