Non-residents can apply for both Desert and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep tags in Utah. While the state is known for being fairly aggressive in issuing bighorn permits, its populations of both species remain relatively small, making these permits hard to come by. Most hunts offer just one non-resident permit, though there are occasional hunts with two. Starting in 2023, with the application deadline pushed to the end of April, applicants will have the opportunity to review the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ (UDWR) permit recommendations. This is a significant development for sheep hunters as it will reveal whether the DNR plans to offer two permits for any given hunt, giving high-point applicants a better shot at securing a preference permit.
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Utah has both Rocky Mountain bighorn and California bighorn sheep species, of which both qualify as a Rocky Mountain bighorn species. The Nine Mile, Gray Canyon was added back this year for non-residents along with the Book Cliffs, South unit, making up the two units that offer Rocky bighorn hunts for non-residents in 2025. Unfortunately, non-residents lost the early hunt option on the Box Elder, Newfoundland unit this year, but they will still have the late hunt option there and a late hunt on the Oak Creek unit for California bighorn sheep hunts to apply for in 2025. This brings the total number of Rocky Mountain bighorn hunts non-residents can apply for to four. There is good trophy potential in the two Rocky units of 170”+, but the California bighorn units have lower potential with 150s being the average mature ram taken there.
For Desert bighorn sheep, Utah remains the same in overall number of hunts to apply for as in 2024 at five. However, the former Kaiparowits, Escalante unit was split into two units, Escalante, East and Escalante, West. The Escalante, East unit will have a non-resident tag available in the draw this year, but it is the more rugged and physically demanding of the two units. The Kaiparowits, West unit is seeing a significant disease outbreak right now and that could impact the hunt this year. If you are looking for a better than average ram, the two units to apply for are Kaiparowits, East and Escalante, East. The Kaiparowits, West; San Rafael, Dirty Devil; and San Rafael, South units will be great hunts but for closer to 150-160” class rams.
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Keep in mind that Utah manages its any-weapon sheep hunts with a goal of 100% harvest success, so any sheep hunt you get the chance to obtain will offer a great experience with a huntable population and some mature rams available. The odds are tough, as you can see in our tables, but if you’re already applying for another species in Utah, it only costs an extra $16 to add your name for a shot at a once-in-a-lifetime hunt. This issue focuses on non-resident units, but if you have questions about the units available only to residents, feel free to give us a call. We research most of the other units in Utah.
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For access to all of our research and data we've collected over the last 20+ years, then join today and access the best research tools for hunting Bighorn Sheep in Utah including Draw Odds, Consultations and much more. Go on more hunts with better information!
Search our database of Utah Bighorn Sheep opportunities.
The Utah Big Game application period deadline is 11:00 p.m. MST on April 24, 2025.
Our online/print magazine 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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All Fees Included |
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| Non-Resident Hunting License | $147.17 |
| Youth (17 and younger) Non-Resident Hunting License | $44.97 |
| Application Fee per Species | $21.46 |
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| Desert Bighorn Sheep | $2,293.37 |
| Rocky Bighorn Sheep | $2,293.37 |
Utah Bighorn Sheep Hunting Articles from Huntin' Fool Magazine
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