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ARIZONA DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP GUIDES & OUTFITTERS

ARIZONA NEW MEXICO DESERT SHEEP HUNTS

 

Nelson Desert Bighorn Sheep 2007ARIZONA 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.  New Mexico has been known to produce great desert rams as well.   Like all states, Arizona and New Mexico sheep tags are by lottery draw.  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 and New Mexico only allow each hunter one desert bighorn sheep in a lifetime.  Tags may be difficult to draw, so our possible hunters are encouraged to apply for both states.  Each year there are roughly 100 Arizona bighorn sheep tags to be drawn and one could have your name on it!

   If you have the itch for an exceptional ram on the wall 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.

We videoed this big desert ram chillin on a cliff ledgeIn Arizona, you have the ability to hunt either the heavy-horned Mexicana subspecies or the wide, flare-horned Nelsoni subspecies, depending upon which area or unit you draw.  We know most sheep units, but sheep locations within the units vary from year to year.  This is due to the constantly changing food and water resources in the desert ecosystem.   Therefore, your area is scouted extensively starting a couple months prior to the hunt to locate not only the best concentration of sheep, but the best rams in the area.  The lucky hunters can choose a premium package which includes up to 10 days to hunt and two 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 a record-class ram.  We also have normal one-on-one, 10-day trophy hunts available.  

Arizona Season:  December 1 - December 31 each year.  

Hunters that are interested in booking a sheep hunt will be sent our hunt area recommendations and/or applications free of charge.  Once a tag is drawn, we will book the hunt.  In Arizona, the hunting license fee is $151.25 and tag fee is $1,407.50 (Non-Resident) or $272.00 (Resident).  The tag fee and hunting license fee must be submitted with the paper application.  You will be refunded the tag fee if not drawn, but a hunting license fee must be forfeited in order to apply.  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 draw an additional time, increasing your odds.

Drawing deadline for Arizona: June 10th, 2008.

Since we are also licensed to outfit/guide in New Mexico, we encourage applicants to apply in New Mexico for sheep as well.  This will increase your odds of drawing a tag.  New Mexico only charges $8 to apply over the internet with the tag fee ($3,160.00) being taken only if drawn. Draw deadline for NM is April 8th.   

Contact us now for assistance with the next bighorn draw!  

$ 2008 RATES $

FULLY GUIDED AND OUTFITTED TROPHY SHEEP HUNTS

 Bighorn Package # Days Rate
Desert Bighorn Sheep: 1-on-1 10 $5,000.00/person
Desert Bighorn Sheep: Premium 10 $6,500.00/person

Description of Packages:  

  • 1-on-1 Package means one hunter per guide and up to 10 days of hunting to take a trophy ram.  Includes: accommodations (wall tent camps with heat and cots or camping trailer), meals, airport transfer, camp transportation,  and one guide. Additional days at $400/day, if needed.  

  • 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. The hunter has up to ten days of hunting to take a ram.  This package increases your odds of taking a record book head since there are 2 people working to locate your trophy ram.  Includes: accommodations (wall tent camps with heat and cots or camping trailer), meals, airport transfer, camp transportation,  and guides.  Additional days at $400/day, if needed.  

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.

2. If a tag is drawn, a deposit to reserve your spot is required.  A payment plan will be arranged.  All payments are NON-REFUNDABLE.  The remaining balance can be paid with monthly payments before arrival.  We recommend cancellation insurance for all of our guests.  Visit our general info page for more details.

3. There are NO Trophy Fees involved.  The rate shown is the only fee the hunter pays to us, besides optional gratuity.    

4. The hunter can bring one family member or friend at an additional charge of  $750.00. 

5. Licenses and tags, possible hotel stay before/after the hunt, taxidermy or butcher are not included in our price.

6. For those that own a camping trailer/pop-up and would like to bring it to camp for personal use are more than welcome to do so, but we cannot discount the hunt any.  It must be small and high enough to be pulled on rough dirt roads.

 

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

 

Our Latest Desert Bighorn Sheep Photos

desert bighorn sheep

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 nearly 30 inches tip to tip!  It measures 166-6/8" and is 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.

 

Desert bighorn sheep

Roger Cook with his once-in-a-lifetime Arizona desert bighorn sheep.  This incredible ram gross scored 171  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

 

Ron Heidemann with Kofa Desert Sheep

Ron Heidemann from Anchorage, Alaska  was happy to fulfill his 1/2 Slam with this 13½ year-old, broomed-off Arizona desert bighorn sheep.  He was guided by outfitter/guide Pat Feldt who had video footage of Ron's Mexicana ram from a previous scouting trip.  This bighorn was the oldest out of a bachelor band of 8 rams.  (December 2006).  View the MPEG Clip of the shot.  View More Photos of Ron's Hunt

 

Giant Desert Sheep

Gabriel Lopez and Pat Feldt with a giant Nelsoni subspecies desert ram.  His horn length is 37½" with bases at 15¼ inches!  His side profile shows the incredible horn mass and length!  He gross scored 174 inches, which makes him place well in all the record books.  He is the largest Nelson desert ram taken in AZ for 2005.  We found this ram in October on a scouting trip and were fortunate enough to locate him the second day of the December season.  View the MPEG clip of the shot.  Also, read the article and view more photos of the 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: April 30, 2008

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