In general, things are looking really good for Idaho’s Rocky bighorn sheep population. The pneumonia outbreak in unit 11 that began in late 2023 looks to be in the rearview mirror, and most of the population in the Hells Canyon herd appear to have recovered from their recent exposure. Also, recent surveys in the Middle Fork and Lost River Ranges have turned up significant population increases, and as a result, the state will be issuing an additional 11 Rocky tags for 2025. On the other hand, Idaho’s California sheep population continues to struggle, and a reduction of six tags will be offered this season. With a net gain of five tags between both species, the total number of sheep tags issued in the draw will be 101. This increase will allow for an additional tag to be available for a non-resident to be drawn this year.
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IDFG allows for up to one non-resident permit for each hunt code to be drawn with an overall species statewide cap of 10%. This cap applies to the Rocky Mountain and California permit total collectively. This means that 10 permits can be drawn this year by non-residents. Last year, 2,108 non-residents applied for sheep. The draw odds contained in our sheep hunt tables are realistic odds after taking into account the non-resident cap, and you will see almost all units in Idaho have about the same non-resident drawing odds of one-half of one percent. The top three units have two to three times odds because of the high applicant pressure. This is important to keep in mind so that you make sure to select a sheep hunt you’d be happy with and not just chase the worse harvest success units for a chance at putting a tag in your pocket. If your lucky number does come up in the non-resident draw, it might as well be a decent tag!
There were quite a few changes made to Idaho’s sheep hunts this year. For Rockies, quotas in units 20A, 27-4, 27L, 37 first and 37 second will each increase by one tag and two tags will be added to both hunts in 26 and 26-L. A few new late hunts are also being opened in 20AL and 37L. The 30 and 36AL hunts will be closed due to population concerns in these areas. There are herd boundary changes this year so be aware of units 26-3, 27-1, and 27L as well. For the California bighorn hunts, the hunt in 41 will be reduced from four tags to one and 42 will be cut from five to three tags as the populations in these zones are tracking their decline. Be sure to look over the following tables for more information.
If you need a Rocky or California bighorn and can stomach the high non-refundable costs, don’t miss applying for Idaho. There is a sheep hunt available for every style of sheep hunt or for the physical fitness you find yourself in. You may apply for either one of the two subspecies, but with no point system, it doesn’t matter if you’ve applied for years or if you apply for Idaho this year, your odds will be as good as anyone’s! Don’t forget, it is worth throwing an additional $20 entry into the ID Wild Sheep Foundation annual raffle, which has a deadline of July 21st to participate this year.
Please review the state regulations for specific units and dates.
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The Idaho sheep application deadline is April 30, 2025.
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| Adult Up-Front Fees | ||
| Annual Hunting License and Access Fee | $195 | Non-refundable |
| Trophy Species Application Fee | $45.75 | Non-refundable |
| Online and Phone Application Processing Fee | $90.03 | Non-refundable |
| Bighorn Sheep Permit | $2,626.75 | Refunded if unsuccessful |
| Adult Application Subtotal | $2,957.53 | $330.78 total non-refundable |
| Youth Up-Front Fees | ||
| Annual Hunting License and Access Fee | $95.75 | Non-refundable |
| Trophy Species Application Fee | $45.75 | Non-refundable |
| Online and Phone Application Processing Fee | $87.05 | Non-refundable |
| Bighorn Sheep Permit | $2,626.75 | Refunded if unsuccessful |
| Youth Applicant Subtotal | $2,855.30 | $228.55 total non-refundable |
Idaho Bighorn Sheep Hunting Articles from Huntin' Fool Magazine
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