Big Horn Sheep Tag

Topgun 30-06 · Dec 13, 2013

Probably Oregon or Nevada. I was just out in Oregon in early September with my buddy from Wyoming on a sheep tag he drew and he hadn't been applying for that long before he drew it. It was taken in the Beatys unit in se Oregon.

Umpqua Hunter · Dec 13, 2013

If your goal is 10 years, you will need to apply in every western state. In fact, if you hope to draw in your lifetime, I would recommend applying in at least 3 states.

Draw odds are going to typically be less than 1% per state and more typically 0.1% to 0.5% especially when you are just starting out with no preference. Remember that most states (WY, MT, UT, CO, AZ) have preference/bonus point systems and just starting out you will have applicants that are 20 years ahead of you and it will be that way for many years.

Plan on costs of roughly $50 to $170 per state to apply. In the past 30 years my family (me, wife, sons and brother) have drawn 6 sheep tags.

6mm Remington · Dec 13, 2013

You can actually get a guaranteed tag in Montana for one of the "Unlimited Areas" and you would be able to hunt next year!! The downside is that the rams don't usually run as large as rams from some of the better areas in the state. The country can be brutal and the odds of harvesting a sheep aren't really very good but at least a person can actually get to hunt a sheep with an actual sheep tag in his or her pocket! I have been applying for a permit area here in Montana for sheep now 35 years and have not been drawn. If I don't draw this year I'm thinking about applying for one of the unlimited areas. At least I can have the opportunity to hunt a ram, get to see some beautiful country, and have a heck of a good time doing it whether I get a ram or not!!

Good luck.
David

30Hart · Dec 13, 2013

Don't forget some states have ewe tags...a great way to get your feer wet...I enjoyed my hunt.

Umpqua Hunter · Dec 13, 2013

kroessler19 said:
Thank you for your input. Are there any states that allow you to buy additional points in order to give you away to better your odds at drawing.

The only way to accumulate points is one per year. The preference systems are designed to give applicants who have stuck with the process a better opportunity to draw.

The unlimited sheep tags in Montana are an option. If a guy invested a week of hunting every year for 5-7 years of backpacking in those units, they would probably stand a pretty good chance of killing a ram.

For a guy who just wants to hunt sheep one time in his life with a high chance of success, my STRONG advice is to save for a Dall sheep hunt. Put $1500 to $2000 a year away in an account just for that and save the money of applying for a tag you may never draw.

My personal goal when I was in my early 20s was to get a grand slam by drawing the bighorn and desert sheep tags, so I started out in the early 1980's faithfully applying in multiple states, and finally got the tags and the sheep. Plan to submit 100+ applications for each tag you draw.

The above are strategies to make your best effort at getting a sheep. The other is the "lottery" approach. That would be just to pick a state each year, make the investment and hope it pays off. Your odds are probably around 1:5 if you stick with that approach for 30 years.

30Hart · Dec 13, 2013

I might be able to shed some light on the Montana Unlimited areas as I used to live in Montana and knew some of the guys that hunted them. If you really want to get a sheep in one of the unlimited areas you'll need to backpack in a week before the opener and you may not even find a ram before the opener. Sometimes you'll find a ram, but by the time the season opens it has moved out of the hunting district (some areas this is very common). You'll need to plan two weeks hunting time each year. One of the guys I knew that was successful was a marathoner and the hunt kicked his tail as these districts are some of the roughest country on the planet so you better be in shape and I recommend a partner to share the load and for safety. The sheep tend to run small on the horn and early weather can be an issue. Most guys I knew that DIY and were eventually successful had 5-7 years invested....hope this helps. As you can expect this hunt benefits local residents more than nonresidents.

Timberstalker · Dec 13, 2013

Don't forget about raffle hunts! Some states sell raffle hunts that have as good of odds as a non-res drawing a tag. Last year Oregon sold 3780 tickets for the Oregon Sheep tag, not bad odds for a non-resident. Odds can be better than drawing a tag depending on how many tickets you buy. Not to mention you can hunt any unit available, earlier and much longer.

Ridgerunner · Dec 13, 2013

Realistically most people won't draw sheep tags in their lifetime, unfortunately. I got lucky and drew in Washington after only 12 years. If a guy really wants to hunt sheep apply in as many states as you can afford and save money for a dall hunt. I shot my dall this past August on a hunt I booked 2.5 years ahead of time giving me time to save up the money, it's a great way to go. So now I've killed two rams, if you had asked me five years ago I doubted I would ever get to hunt sheep, you just never know how things can turn out.

30Hart · Dec 13, 2013

+1 very true, one must keep one's options open for the future.

Zim · Dec 13, 2013

I have 15+ points in about every good sheep state except Wyoming where their system told me to get out, and I never count on drawing. However, over the years I've drawn some tags with 1% draw odds so you never know. Just beware some places are not worth it after you crunch the numbers (like WY). And understand you can buy into one state and they can and do change the rules and extort you after you are hooked for 5 or 10 years. Refused to do so In WY and got out.

buckbull · Dec 13, 2013

I'd just save your money and go to Canada and shoot a sheep, Moose as well.

I'd also search these forums as this topic has come up numerous times. Lots of good info here.

Musket Man · Dec 14, 2013

I think Idaho probably has the best odds for drawing a tag. With no points system anyone could draw and the way they setup their draw it spreads out the applicants somewhat. In Nevada everyone has some chance of drawing even if it is comparable to winning the lottery. I have been thinking about the Montana unlimited hunts but as others have said its tough hunting at best.

NDHunter · Dec 14, 2013

Musket Man said:
I think Idaho probably has the best odds for drawing a tag.

+1

If you are a bowhunter and want a crazy challenge, consider some of Colorado's archery-only tags. Some of those units have pretty good draw odds. You have to apply for 3 years though before your name even goes into the hat.

HuskyMusky · Dec 18, 2013

Many good points already made, so hopefully I don't repeat.

5-10yrs? Good luck!

NM, ID, and I think OR or WA don't have points, ie, everyone has the same chance at drawing, that's the only way I see you drawing in 5-10yrs, if you get lucky.

Totally agree with Zim about WY, not worth it for a Non-res, and probably not worth it even as a res either.

Some states have Desert sheep, some rocky mtn, some california, some have both or even all 3.

other states, I'd apply wherever really, start building points, and go from there, probably the 1st 10yrs or more you apply you may consider applying for the best odds units, vs the best trophy quality units.

good luck!

Ridgerunner · Dec 18, 2013

Wa has the same point system as Nevada.

Zim · Dec 18, 2013

WY was worth a shot until they started charging $100 nonrefundable/year. Then it just became a bad investment, unless you already had 15 points.

Musket Man · Dec 19, 2013

Ridgerunner said:
Wa has the same point system as Nevada.

I dont think WA squares your points like NV does. I think you just get your name put in the hat another time for every point you have.

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