Desert bighorn sheep are one of the rarest, most sought after, and most difficult to obtain trophy big game species on the planet. Many big game hunters around the world will wait a lifetime for a single opportunity to hunt these magnificent animals.
Desert bighorn sheep hunts occur in southwestern and south-central New Mexico. These areas are easier to hunt in than the rougher Rocky Mountain bighorns areas up north. In the low-elevation herds, the edges of bighorn habitat are accessible by vehicle, while the rocky slopes of the areas further from the roads make hunting more difficult.
Our desert bighorn sheep hunts are fully guided and outfitted with two guides per hunter. The hunts take place in units 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, and 27, including the Peloncillos, Hatchets, Caballos, Ladrones, San Andreas, and the Fra Cristobal Mountain Ranges. These areas offer the best chance at a ram-of-a-lifetime. The hunting dates are different for each unit, but in general, there are hunts between the first of October through the middle of March.
New Mexico allows hunters to apply for three Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep choices as well as three desert bighorn sheep choices – all on one application. For each hunt code (Rocky Mountain and desert) you get to select three hunt areas, which will have different dates corresponding to them. When your application is pulled, the Department will look at each hunt code and area in the order that you list them, and they will review all of your choices at the same time. This application stacking offers some of the best odds of drawing a sheep tag.
Licenses are obtained through the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish draw, or by purchasing a Governor's Tag or winning a Raffle Tag. The application period to draw a tag opens mid-January and closes mid-March. Be sure and apply with us through the Outfitter Draw for the best opportunity to draw a tag.
Prices
1-on-1 7-day Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunt - $9,500.
Additional Spotter - $500 per day.
Governor's Tag or Raffle Tag Hunts - Big Horn Outfitters will put together a hunt package specifically for Governor's Tag holders or Raffle Tag holders upon the tag holder's request. Contact us for more info.