There will be 16 total ram permits available in the 2025 draw, which is a three-tag decrease over last year. These will be 15 California bighorn sheep permits and 1 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep permit. Washington attracts sheep hunters from everywhere because of their trophy quality for California bighorns and Rocky Mountain bighorns. All of the permits are up for grabs in the draw each year with no separate non-resident quota. In 2024, Washington had over 40,000 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 Umtanum, Selah Butte, Manson, and Mountain View units will be closed for 2025.
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The Mountain View Rocky Mountain sheep unit has experienced a major die-off where they believe they had 70% adult mortality in the herd. The unit will not be available in the draw for 2025. 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. 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.
The Wenaha Rocky Mountain sheep unit will have a tag available in the draw. This sheep herd summers in Washington and then migrates to Oregon by the middle of October. This is a physically demanding hunt, and it can be difficult to locate rams within the unit. There is 180” potential in the Wenaha Mountain bighorn sheep unit. To make the most of this tag, you may want to look at hiring an outfitter if you don’t have the time or manpower to tackle one of these units.
The only change for the California bighorn sheep units was that the Manson unit will not have any draw tags available for 2025. Surveys have shown a declining population over the last couple of years, and the biologists decided to close the unit. All of the other California sheep units available in the draw for 2025 are doing well, and the lucky people who draw tags should have a fun, high success hunt. If you are looking for the top scoring California bighorn sheep units, you should be applying for Swakane and Chelan Butte.
For non-residents wanting to hunt bighorn sheep, make sure you consider the Washington Wild Sheep Foundation raffle for one Rocky Mountain ram permit. Each entry only costs $20 and is truly a true chance at a ram-of-a-lifetime. In 2023, a Huntin’ Fool Application Service client drew the raffle permit and killed a 189” Boone and Crockett ram.
The only hunts with ewe permits available this year will be in the Lincoln Cliffs, Swakane, and Chelan Butte units. The ewe permits available in the Chelan Butte unit are only available for youth hunters and disabled hunters. The only juvenile ram hunt available this year will be for disabled hunters only in the Chelan Butte unit.
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 Washington including Draw Odds, Consultations and much more. Go on more hunts with better information!
The Washington Big Game deadline is May 28, 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!
| 2025 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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