Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep herds in Colorado have had their ups and downs, but overall, they continue to be strong with an estimated population slightly north of 7,000 sheep. Sheep have, for the most part, remained healthy throughout the state in recent years with the exception of units S32, S56, and S62 that have seen outbreaks of pneumonia that have resulted in significant die-offs and little to no lamb recruitment. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is hopeful these outbreaks are on the home stretch and the surviving sheep will have a stronger immune system for future events. These outbreaks will, however, result in a few less sheep tags again in 2025 with residents losing nine ram tags and seven ewes and non-residents losing two ram tags. On a positive note, units S3 and S9 are showing steady population growth with sheep numbers estimated at around 300 in both units.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife vows to continue with an aggressive approach to sheep hunting in the state, issuing as many tags as they feel necessary to sustain healthy sheep populations. This management tool has been proven to help prevent pneumonia outbreaks from occurring and will hopefully do just that in the future. Even with a reduction in tag numbers for 2025, CPW will still issue over 300 sheep tags statewide for lucky applicants to draw. Colorado’s Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep program has been a great success and should be celebrated by all. They have given hunters another opportunity to draw an elusive sheep tag even if the draw odds are a little low. If hunting a bighorn sheep is on your bucket list, the Centennial State offers as good of an opportunity as any state does to draw a tag.
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages most of the sheep units in the state for a 6 to 8-year-old ram harvest objective. They take a very aggressive approach to harvesting rams once they are mature as they feel the mature rams are on borrowed time with the severity of winters in sheep habitat and are often more susceptible to disease. Ram size and quality vary throughout the state with the more western rams usually having 10-20 inches smaller horn sizes than their counterparts further east. This is mainly due to the severity of winters out west in higher elevations and better, easier-to-access feed in the eastern regions. Where this is true on the average, every once in a while, a giant ram gets harvested out of a western unit the defined the odds. Hunters will want to remember that most sheep hunts in the state are extremely physical and not to be taken lightly. The terrain that these animals live in is very rugged, and hunters will want to be in good physical and mental shape before taking on the challenge.
Colorado continues to be a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts and recreational hikers, and sheep are consistently looking for a reprieve from these activities. This ever-increasing encroachment into historic bighorn sheep habitat is pushing sheep into new and oftentimes rough, steep country that is non-traditional habitat. This constant activity by recreationalists has changed the sheep feeding and bedding habits, oftentimes making harvest success a lot tougher even with all the advancements in technology. Hunters are going to want to do their homework if successful in the draw. Scouting both in the field and digitally will be a huge asset as sheep herds have become harder to predict due to more human presence throughout the year. Becoming familiar with the entire unit may be the difference between harvesting a sheep or not, or you must be willing to hire a great outfitter. If your schedule does not allow for scouting, that will put all that work in for his clients prior to their hunt.
Please check the regulations for the specific dates you're looking for.
In 2025, Colorado will issue an estimated total of 305 bighorn permits, which is down 16 permits from 2024. Of those permits, 28 are set aside for non-residents, with 23 being rifle permits split between 16 rams and 7 ewes, rounded out with 5 archery-only ram permits. Colorado and Utah are the only states in the West that have archery-specific Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunts. Archery hunts are difficult with lower success, but they provide better draw odds than rifle hunts. Of those archery hunts, S34 and S69 are more archer-friendly; however, unit S09 has an archery tag for 2025 and will likely have a few top-tier rams for a lucky hunter to pursue.
In 2025, Colorado will issue an estimated total of 305 bighorn permits, which is down 16 permits from 2024. Of those permits, 28 are set aside for non-residents, with 23 being rifle permits split between 16 rams and 7 ewes, rounded out with 5 archery-only ram permits. Colorado and Utah are the only states in the West that have archery-specific Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunts. Archery hunts are difficult with lower success, but they provide better draw odds than rifle hunts. Of those archery hunts, S34 and S69 are more archer-friendly; however, unit S09 has an archery tag for 2025 and will likely have a few top-tier rams for a lucky hunter to pursue.
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Colorado is home to a second species of bighorn—Desert bighorn sheep. They call the western border of the state home, and total estimates are around 500 sheep according to current CPW surveys. The population is doing great, and the Black Ridge area declining numbers have stabilized. In 2025, Colorado will issue 15 permits, which is the same as 2024. Once again, there will only be a single non-resident permit, and it will be in unit S62 for the eighth year in a row. A 160” class ram is a realistic expectation for the unit. If hunters put in their time and pick through the available sheep, they should have a successful hunt and turn up a mature ram.
There is no point system for Desert bighorn sheep in Colorado, which puts everyone on an even playing field in the draw. However, you must choose between applying for Rocky Mountain or Desert sheep as you can’t do both. Like all sheep permits in the lower 48, odds are dismal at best, but you can’t draw if you don’t apply. Applicants had a 1 in 2,161 chance in 2024. The good news is that if you’re not building points and you are already applying for other species in the state or have already killed a Rocky and need a Desert sheep, it’s a great add-on species at an out-of-pocket cost of only $11.
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The Colorado big game application period deadline is April 1, 2025 at 8 p.m. MDT.
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| Annual Small Game Hunt License (required to apply) | $101.54 |
| Youth Annual Small Game Hunt License (under age 18, required to apply) | $1.50 |
| Habitat Stamp (required for adults to apply) | $12.47 |
| Draw Application (per species) | $11.00 |
| Youth Point Fee (all species) | NONE |
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| Desert Bighorn Sheep | $2,758.49 |
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | $2,758.49 |
Colorado Bighorn Sheep Hunting Articles from Huntin' Fool Magazine
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