Sheep hunting has its own language and rules. These are the questions new sheep hunters ask most.
What is a Grand Slam?
A Grand Slam is taking all four North American wild sheep: Rocky Mountain bighorn, desert bighorn, Dall and Stone. It usually takes many years, several states or provinces and a large budget, and relatively few hunters have completed one.
How long does it take to draw a bighorn tag?
It varies widely. Some hunters draw on their first application, and others apply for decades without success. Applying in several states every year is the best way to improve the odds.
Do nonresidents need a guide?
For Dall sheep in Alaska, yes: nonresidents must hire a licensed guide or hunt with a close resident relative. Canadian provinces generally require outfitters for nonresidents. Most bighorn hunts in the Lower 48 can be hunted without a guide.
What is a full-curl ram?
A full curl means the horn has grown through a full circle when viewed from the side. Alaska and some other areas also accept rams with both horns broken or rams at least eight years old. Definitions differ, so hunters check the rules for their unit.
How old are the rams hunters take?
Mature rams are often seven to ten years old or more. Age is read from the annual growth rings on the horns.
How much does a sheep hunt cost?
A do-it-yourself bighorn hunt on a drawn tag can cost little beyond the tag, gear and travel. Guided hunts, especially for Dall and Stone sheep, often cost five figures.
Are there ewe hunts?
A few states offer ewe tags to manage herd size. They are easier to draw and make a good introduction to sheep country.
Can sheep be hunted with a bow?
Yes. Many states offer archery seasons or allow archery during general sheep seasons. Getting within bow range of a ram is one of the hardest challenges in hunting.
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What is the difference between a ram and a ewe?
Rams are males and grow the large curled horns hunters chase. Ewes are females, with short, slightly curved horns, and spend most of the year in nursery groups with lambs and young rams. Mature rams join the ewes during the rut.
Where can wild sheep be seen without hunting?
Many refuges and parks offer good viewing, from desert ranges in Arizona and Nevada to the high country of Colorado, Montana and Alaska. Finding sheep on a hike is excellent practice for glassing on a hunt.