{"id":1239,"date":"2022-03-02T08:48:59","date_gmt":"2022-03-02T15:48:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/live-azgfd-main.pantheonsite.io\/?post_type=species&p=1239"},"modified":"2025-06-03T10:48:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T17:48:10","slug":"bighorn-sheep","status":"publish","type":"species","link":"https:\/\/www.azgfd.com\/species\/bighorn-sheep\/","title":{"rendered":"Bighorn Sheep"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

About<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At their peak, North American bighorn sheep numbers were estimated at 2 million. Desert populations have since fallen to about 20,000 and Rocky Mountain populations are at about 45,000. Arizona\u2019s bighorn population, consisting of both desert and Rocky Mountain races, is estimated at 6,000 animals. The causes for this decline, which occurred primarily between 1850 and 1900, were competition with livestock for food and water and exposure to livestock associated parasites and diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

Hunt History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Totally protected by the territorial legislature in 1893, bighorn sheep were not legal game in Arizona until 1953, when it was determined that the limited hunting of desert bighorn rams might be the only way to save these animals. Two limited desert bighorn sheep hunts of 20 permits each were authorized, and 20 desert bighorn were taken. Since then, permit numbers, the number of units open to hunting, the number of rams taken, and hunt success have gradually increased. In 1984, Arizona began offering Rocky Mountain as well as desert bighorn sheep hunts. Between 80 and 100 hunt permits are authorized each year, mostly desert bighorns, with hunt success ranging between 90 and 95 percent. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Desert<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n