Bighorn Sheep Hunting

Conservation and Management Plans

• The final Conservation and Management Plan for Bighorn Sheep in California (PDF) was released April 25, 2025.
• The final North Central Deserts Bighorn Conservation Unit Plan (PDF) was released February 10, 2026.

Hunting Regulations

Map of Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunt Zones

Hunting License and Tag Requirements

• Hunting License Information
• For information on applying for the Desert Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing, see the Big Game Hunting Digest.
• Tag Returns

2026 Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunts

Note: 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 509, 512, 513, 514, 515, and 516 Steep and rugged terrain; vehicle access is limited and restricted to designated routes. 505, 516 Travel by horseback is recommended. 507 and 511 Extremely steep and rugged terrain, navigating this unit is immensely physically strenuous as most bighorn sheep occur between 10,000-14,000 ft. Extreme safety and caution when preparing for and hunting in this unit is advised. Altitude sickness has affected previous hunters. Hunters should be in top physical condition. Vehicle access limited to none. For questions, call (760) 895-0114.

2025 Desert Bighorn Sheep Tag Drawing Statistics

Note: 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 509, 512, 513, 514, 515, and 516 Steep and rugged terrain; vehicle access is limited and restricted to designated routes. 505, 516 Travel by horseback is recommended. 507 and 511 Extremely steep and rugged terrain, navigating this unit is immensely physically strenuous as most bighorn sheep occur between 10,000-14,000 ft. Extreme safety and caution when preparing for and hunting in this unit is advised. Altitude sickness has affected previous hunters. Hunters should be in top physical condition. Vehicle access limited to none. For questions, call (760) 895-0114.

Related Information

• Bighorn Sheep Management and Biology
• 2019 Final Environmental Document for Bighorn Sheep Hunting (PDF)(opens in new tab)
• Tag Return