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Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Guides and Outfitters

Arizona Desert Sheep Hunts

Arizona Guided Hunts is proud to offer hunting trips for the most prized big game species in North America, the desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana and nelsoni).   Arizona has produced numerous large rams and stands up to being the top state as a quality producer.  Like all states, Arizona bighorn sheep tags are by a lottery drawing.  If you are lucky enough to draw this "coveted tag", you stand a great chance of getting a record-book head.  Desert big horn sheep tags are limited to such an extent that Arizona only allows each hunter one desert bighorn sheep in a lifetime.  Tags may be difficult to draw, so our possible hunters are encouraged to apply each year until drawn.  You never know when you will draw.  Some hunters draw their first try, which means it is truly luck-of-the-draw!  

If you have the itch for an exceptional ram and feel lucky enough to draw one of the "coveted tags," we have the hunt for you!  Arizona Guided Hunts' master sheep guide, Pat Feldt and his assistants, have spent many years in the field with desert bighorn sheep and know them well.  Pat is a member of the Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, has a Bachelor of  Science in Wildlife Biology and is very knowledgeable and experienced in locating, hunting, and judging bighorn sheep.  Much of his and his assistants spare time is spent looking for and observing sheep, whether it is just for fun or trying to video another record-book ram.  Their many years of sheep experience has allowed hunters to harvest exceptional quality bighorn rams.

In Arizona, you have the ability to hunt two different sub-species of desert bighorn sheep: either the heavy-horned and tight-curled Mexicana subspecies or the wide, flare-horned Nelsoni subspecies.  This depends upon which area or unit you draw.  The sheep in the northwest areas of Arizona from the Bill Williams River northward are classified as Nelson desert bighorn sheep.  The southern area below the Bill Williams River toward the Mexican border is home to the Mexicana.  

We know most sheep units, but sheep locations within these units vary from year to year.  Desert sheep often have a very large home range.  This is due mainly to the constantly changing food and water resources of the desert ecosystem.  Rams also move around a lot during the late summer rut before settling down in late October or November.  That's when it's wise to start our scouting.  Your area is scouted extensively starting a few weeks prior to the December hunt to locate not only the best concentration of sheep, but the best rams in that area.  We can often find the same rams during the hunt that were located during scouting.  So, if we find a big ram during scouting in November, with patience, we will more than likely find him during your December hunt.  

The lucky hunters can choose a premium package which includes two experienced sheep guides, each in different areas; one hunting with you and another at a different vantage point to act as a scout or spotter.  Having eyes in two places at one time increases the chance of obtaining an exceptional trophy or record-class ram.  We also have normal one-on-one desert sheep hunts available.  There is also an economical option (mainly for resident hunters) of hiring just the sheep guide (guide only, not outfitted, without camp or meals).  

Licenses and Seasons

Since desert sheep hunting is on a lottery draw basis, hunters that are interested in booking a sheep hunt will be emailed instructions on how to apply and our hunt area recommendations .  The application period for sheep is in May.  Once a tag is drawn, we will book the hunt.  The Arizona hunting license fee is $151.25 and tag fee is $1,407.50 (Non-Resident) or $272.00 (Resident).  If applying online during the draw, your credit card will be charged for the full hunting license fee, since a license is required in order to apply.  The tag fee will be charged at a later date if you are drawn.  Arizona has a bonus point system which increases your odds of drawing a tag.  Each time you are not drawn for a particular species, you receive a bonus point.  For each bonus point you have for sheep, your name goes into the drawing an additional time, slightly increasing your odds.

Drawing deadline for Arizona: June 12th, 2012.

Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Season:  December 1 - December 31 each year.  

The Arizona Big Game Super Raffle tag for desert bighorn sheep is another option.  The lucky winner of this tag has a 365-day season to harvest a ram utilizing several areas (units 9-16).  Raffle tickets are only $25 each and you can buy as many as you can afford!   They can be purchased online via the AZ Big Game Super Raffle website.  

Contact us now for assistance with the next bighorn draw!  

$ 2012 RATES $

Fully Guided and Outfitted Trophy Sheep Hunts

Description of Packages

• 1-on-1 Package means the hunter has one guide.  Includes: camp accommodations (canvas tent camps with heat and cots or camping trailer), meals, complimentary airport transfer if needed, camp transportation,  and one guide. We understand that desert sheep hunting is a once in a lifetime opportunity, therefore we want you to be successful.  If a sheep hunter does not tag a ram within the 8 scheduled days, additional days for a later timeframe can be arranged at only $100/day (just to offset our expenses) up until the end of season (December 31).  This has never happened, as all of our hunters have harvested within the scheduled timeframe.

• Premium Package means the hunter has 2 guides to assist in finding a trophy; 1 guide with him and 1 scout or spotter to assist at a different vantage point. This package increases your odds of taking a record book ram since there are 2 people working to locate your trophy sheep.  Includes: camp accommodations (canvas tent camps with heat and cots or camping trailer), meals, complimentary airport transfer if needed, camp transportation,  and guides.  We understand that desert sheep hunting is a once in a lifetime opportunity, therefore we want you to be successful.  If a sheep hunter does not tag a ram within the 8 scheduled days, additional days for a later timeframe (with one guide) can be arranged at only $100/day (just to offset our expenses) up until the end of season (December 31).  This has never happened, as all of our hunters have harvested within the scheduled timeframe.

• Guide Only: Popular with AZ resident hunters that have their own camping gear and high-clearance vehicles, but only need a guide.  This economical package allows the hunter to provide his own camp accommodations, meals, supplies, transportation to camp and hunt area, etc., while being assisted in the field by an experienced sheep guide who has thoroughly pre-scouted the area.  Basically, the experienced sheep guide will show up to your camp and take you into the field daily.  This can also be a good option for resident hunters that plan to have friends and relatives at their camp without paying our extra "non-hunter observer" fees.  Location of the camp is predetermined by the guide's scouting efforts and he will recommend where to set up prior to the scheduled hunt.  It is recommended that you have an SUV or high-clearance truck that can make it into the backcountry, since camp locations could be anywhere. The guide will assist the sheep hunter for up to 8 consecutive scheduled days.  As with the other packages, additional days for a later timeframe can be arranged at only $100/day, if needed (just to offset our expenses).

Additional Information

1. The first step is to get on our list for assistance with the drawing process.  You will be given instructions on when, how and which areas to apply.  If you already drew a tag, give us an email or phone call.

2. If a tag is drawn, a deposit to reserve your spot is required.  A payment plan can be arranged.  All payments are NON-REFUNDABLE.  The remaining balance is due at least 21 days prior to the hunt.  We recommend cancellation insurance for all of our guests.  Visit our policy page for more details.

3. We do not charge a trophy fee.  The rate shown is the only fee the hunter pays to us, besides optional gratuity.    

4. Non-hunter fee: Fully guided sheep hunters can bring one family member or friend as an observer at an additional charge of $800.00 (fee applies to 1-on-1 and Premium Package hunters).

5. Cost for licenses and tags, butchering, shipping of meat, hotel stay before/after the hunt (if flying) are the hunter's responsibility.

We have a 100% SUCCESS RATE on desert bighorn sheep hunts!  

Latest Desert Bighorn Sheep Photos

Andy Charnoki with a big 8-year old desert bighorn sheep.  This beautiful ram holds his mass well, has a great curl, and a neat laminated look to its horns.  Andy made an impressive four hour stalk to the top of the mountain in 50mph winds and sideways stinging rain for a 329 yard shot. (Dec. 2011) More photos, a video and an article of Andy's sheep hunt.

Claude Sanchez Jr. was the 2009-2010 Arizona Super Raffle winner.  The special tag allows the hunter a whole year to harvest a Nelson desert bighorn ram in AZ game units 9 through 16.  Claude made an impressive one shot kill to take the old ram at 405 yards using a custom built 300 RCM sheep rifle.  Claude's big ram is 9 years old, has heavy 35" horns and great flare!  The beat up horns and face, due to years of fighting, only add to this ram's character.  A big Nelson desert sheep!  (2010)  More photos and a video of Claude's sheep hunt

Dan Rorbach took this big 9 year-old Arizona Mexicana desert bighorn ram at 375 yards using his .25-06 Ruger thumbhole topped with a 6.5-20X Leupold scope.  We first found the old ram on a scouting trip a couple weeks prior and knew he would be the "one" for Dan.  This great ram finished-off Dan's Arizona Big 10! (December 2009)  More photos and a video of Dan's sheep hunt

Brian Vaughn with his once-in-a-lifetime Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep.  Sheep Guide Pat Feldt spotted this ram at over one mile from our glassing spot.  Brian and Pat made a very lengthy 2.5 hour stalk to the top of the mountain range for this nice ram.  A Weatherby in .30-06 topped with a 4-16X Schmidt and Bender riflescope was used to take this sheep at 308 yards.  The area Brian had drawn is very tough with few sheep.  So, this nice 7.5 year old ram met or exceeded our goal of taking a mature bighorn (December 2008)  View more photos and a video of the sheep hunt.

Brian LeVan and sheep guide Pat Feldt with a Nelson variety desert bighorn sheep.  This ram's body has a unique blonde color and it's 36" horns flare-out to 30 inches tip to tip.  It is, to date, the largest ram ever taken in that particular hunt unit!  Brian made an impressive shot on the animal as it was bedded at 396 yards.  (December 2007)  View More Photos and an Article of Brian's Hunt.

Roger Cook with his once-in-a-lifetime Arizona desert bighorn sheep.  This incredibly tight-curled ram gross scored 170⅜  inches.  He was taken with a .270 WSM at an unusually close distance of only 120 yards.  (December 2007)  View More Photos of Roger's Hunt

More Bighorn Sheep Photos

If you need a desert bighorn sheep for the Slam and don't want to pay $60,000 for a hunt in Mexico, contact us!

Members of Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society and Foundation for North American Wild Sheep - Click on their Logos to view the sites.

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This website last updated: Jan. 27, 2012

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