Available Montana Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunts --- Search HF Aventures
Montana is typically the first state that comes to mind when you start thinking about hunting for a record book Rocky Mountain bighorn. At over 900 Rocky Mountain bighorn Boone & Crockett entries over the years, Montana has put more rams into the record book than all other states combined. It is no surprise that drawing a sheep tag in the Big Sky State sits atop most hunters’ bucket lists. Last year, 7,289 non-residents applied for a limited quota ram tag in Montana and only 9 of those saw a successful result. As usual, the three Missouri Breaks units, 482, 680, and 622, accounted for most of the non-resident application demand at 5,661 applicants. Of those, five were successful in drawing a ram tag.
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It is no secret that top end rams have been getting tougher to turn up in each of the Breaks units in recent years. This is especially true of units 482 and 622 where the average base measurements have dropped almost an inch and the average harvested ram scores have dropped by almost 10 inches over the last five years. Unfortunately, the odds of drawing a Breaks tag in 2024 will be even tougher. For the first time in decades, unit 482 will not be available for non-resident applicants this year, resulting in a loss of two non-resident Breaks tags. After this hunt was mistakenly over-drawn by five tags in 2023, followed by a flight survey that turned up the fewest sheep since 1997, FWP has made the decision to cut the quota to only five tags for the upcoming season. While this change undoubtedly won’t help the draw odds of each the Breaks units, it is a necessary step in the right direction in restoring the ram population and quality of genetics in 482’s sheep. In a few short years, expect this hunt to rebound and reclaim its status as arguably the best hunt on the planet. The same cannot be said of units 680 and 622 if tag reductions aren’t made soon.
It is not all doom and gloom for the bighorn hunting in the rest of the state. Two new sheep units are slated to be opened for 2024, one of which is in unit 381 and will be available for non-residents to apply for. After a pneumonia outbreak in 2009, sheep numbers here have rebounded to a huntable population. Historical genetics of this herd indicate that a book ram will be hard to come by on this hunt, but you never know what type of ram might turn up when a unit hasn’t been hunted in almost 15 years. If you are after a less physical hunt with book ram potential, look at the hunts in 121 and 122. On each of these hunts, beginning in early November, most of the rams will come down from their summer range in search of ewes. As the rut takes place, these sheep will stay in highly visible areas and offer a hunter a physically easier lower elevation hunt.
Montana is the only state that offers over-the-counter bighorn sheep tags. Hunters can choose from five units – 300, 303, 500, 501, and 502. The tags must be purchased or applied for by May 1st. The odds of harvesting a ram are typically around 2%, but every year, some lucky hunters take rams home. Last year, 14 hunters harvested rams in the unlimited areas. See the “Unlimited Bighorn Sheep” section for more information on all of the units and hunts. If you have questions about the unlimited hunts or are a Montana resident and you would like to talk about the other draw units available to you, give us a call. Good luck in the draw!
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The Montana Bighorn Sheep application deadline is May 1, 2024.
Our magazine, which is available in print and online, has everything in one location - application info, draw details and odds, fees, hunter requirements, point structure, age restrictions, youth information, weapon restrictions, other tag opportunities, hunt planning, and much more. If you would like access to all of our research join today!
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Up-Front Fees |
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| Base Hunting License | $15 |
| Conservation License | $10 |
| Bonus Points (optional/per species) | $20 |
| Sheep, Moose, Goat, and Bison Application Fee | $50 |
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| Bighorn Sheep Permit | $1,250 |
| Bow and Arrow License (required for all archery hunts) | $10 |
| *Fees do not include the additional 2.5% convenience fee. | |
MT Bighorn Hunting Articles from Huntin' Fool Magazine
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