The Best AZ Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunts
Arizona Mexicana Desert Sheep Units:
Unit 24BS is consistently producing the big old rams & the 2021 season average score was 179″ & 11 years old. 2 tags will be offered for the 2022 season. This unit is basically only avaible to MAX bonus point holders & you will WASTE an application if you apply for this tag with sub-max points.
Unit 22S is probably the most well known for producing giant desert rams but it’s a very popular choice for all the right reasons. Last season the average score was 179″ & 9.5 years old. 2 tags will be offered for the 2022 season. This unit is basically only avaible to MAX bonus point holders & you will WASTE an application if you apply for this tag with sub-max points.
Unit 40B Gila Mountains produced a very large ram last year & some good rams that made it thru. Last season the average score was 164″ & 7.5 years old. 4 tags will be offered for the 2022 season, so this is a good unit for non-residents looking to draw a sheep tag in Arizona.
Unit 40B Tinajtas Altas Mountains has some good genetics & older rams in the unit. The 2021 season yield was an average score of 163″ at 9.5 years of age. 2 tags are being offered for the 2022 sheep season, so hunting pressure won’t be an issue.
Honarable Mentions:
Unit 24BN, Unit 28, Unit 41E, Unit 41W, Unit 44BN
Arizona Nelsoni Desert Sheep Units:
Unit 16A/18B is at the top of the list for these units right now. Last season the average score was 169″ & 8 years old. There will be 2 tags offered for the 2022 season.
Unit 12BE has snuck up on everyone as a new unit that produced a couple big rams last year. The age class is still of concern & the tag numbers have increased for the 2022 season. Last season the average score was 164″ on the first hunt & 172″ on the second with a 6.7 age average. There are two hunts with the first having 3 permits & the second having 4 permits, so this is a good non-resident choice for a chance at a tag.
Unit 15D has dropped off dramatically from the glory years. Last season the unit was split but due to a severly decreased population in older age class rams the hunt is now unit wide with only 4 tags being offered. The average score was 159.5″ & average age was 7.7 for the 2021 season. FYI-this unit typically has the MOST applications for any Arizona sheep unit so it’s extremely hard to draw.
Unit 16AN is a very tough hunt but still has potential to produce book rams. The population seems to be on a downward trend because of drought & predation. Last season’s numbers were an average score of 151″ & average age was 6.5 years old. There are once again 2 tags for this unit but beware you may not see many sheep.
Honarble Mention:
Unit 13BN & Unit 15C