There will be 18 total ram permits available in the 2023 draw, a decrease of six from last year, including California bighorn sheep and the one Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep permit. With some of the worst draw odds in the West, Washington attracts sheep hunters from everywhere because of their trophy quality for California bighorns and quality Rocky Mountain bighorn draw hunts. All of the permits are up for grabs in the draw each year with no separate non-resident quota. In 2022, Washington had over 47,000 applications for bighorn sheep permits. Permit winners should keep in mind that there are a few tribal permits available each year that are in addition to the permits issued through the state draw, so there may be additional hunters on most units. The Yakima Canyon herd (Umtanum and Selah Butte units) have detected pneumonia pathogens since 2021, and the permit allocations in the past were aimed at reducing the herd size. However, for this year, no draw permits will be available to hunters. It is unclear if the native tribes will still try to hunt sheep this fall. On the bright side for Washington, the Chelan County herd of California bighorn sheep remains stable and at this time has not been found to have infection.
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The Rocky Mountain sheep herd in southeastern Washington falls under the Hells Canyon Initiative restoration program where animals are tested and removed to curb the effect of M. ovi-associated pneumonia. No positive animals have been found in the past few years. It is important to realize that this herd is managed in conjunction with the Washington DFW, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Oregon State, and the Nez Perce Tribe. For non-residents wanting to hunt bighorn sheep, make sure that you consider the Washington Wild Sheep Foundation raffle for one Rocky Mountain ram permit. Each entry only costs $20 and is a true chance at a ram-of-a-lifetime.
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The only hunts with ewe permits available this year will be in the Cleman Mountain, Lincoln Cliffs, and Chelan Butte units. The only juvenile ram hunt available this year will be for disabled hunters only in the Chelan Butte unit.
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The Washington Big Game deadline is May 24, 2023.
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| 2023 Washington Non-Resident Fees | |
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| Special Permit Application (per species category) | $110.50 |
| Special Permit Application - Youth Under 16 (per species category) | $3.80 |
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| Bighorn Sheep, Shiras Moose, or Mountain Goat | $1,652 |
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| Bighorn Sheep, Shiras Moose, or Mountain Goat | $57 |
Washington Bighorn Sheep Hunting Articles from Huntin' Fool Magazine
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