Available Utah Bighorn Sheep (Rocky, Desert) Hunts --- Search HF Aventures
Non-residents can apply for both Desert and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Utah is one of the more aggressive states when it comes to issuing bighorn sheep permits, but they do not have booming populations of either species, so permits are still very hard to come by. Most hunts only offer one non-resident permit with the occasional hunt having two non-resident permits. As of 2023, with the application deadline being moved back to the end of April, applicants will now have a chance to view the UDWR permit recommendations. This is very big for sheep as it will show if the DNR intends on having two permits on any of the hunts to give possible max point applicants a chance to apply for that one and only preference permit.
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The Book Cliffs, South unit is still the only true Rocky Mountain bighorn hunt in Utah that non-residents can apply for. The two other Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep units that non-residents can apply for are for California bighorns, which are a subspecies of the Rocky. There are a total of three California bighorn hunts to choose from within those two units – Fillmore, Oak Creek, and Box Elder, Newfoundland. This means that there is only one true Rocky Mountain bighorn hunt to apply for in Utah in 2024. The other two areas are both California bighorn subspecies of the Rocky bighorn.
For Desert bighorn sheep, hunts will remain the same as 2023. If you are looking for better trophy quality, the Kaiparowits units have been better producers than both San Rafael units. All of these hunts are great, but the Kaiparowits, Escalante unit is definitely the most physically demanding of the bunch.
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Remember that Utah manages for 100% harvest success for their any weapon hunts, and any sheep hunt you have the opportunity to go on will be a great experience and will have a huntable population with some mature rams in it. Odds are very steep, as you can see in our tables, but if you are already applying in Utah for another species, it only costs an additional $16 to throw your name in the hat for your chance at a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We only cover non-resident units in this issue, but if you have any questions about the other units that are available to residents only, make sure you give us a call as 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 3D Maps, 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 25, 2024.
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!
Up-Front Fees |
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Non-Resident Hunting License | $120 |
Youth (17 and younger) Non-Resident Hunting License | $34 |
Application Fee per Species | $16 |
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Desert Bighorn Sheep | $2,244 |
Rocky Bighorn Sheep | $2,244 |
Utah Bighorn Sheep Hunting Articles from Huntin' Fool Magazine