Hunting Bighorn Sheep
A bighorn sheep ram.
Bighorn Sheep Licenses
If you harvest a Rocky Mountain bighorn ram (must have a halfcurl or more), you must wait five years (sixth year after harvest) before applying for another Rocky Mountain bighorn ram license. During the five-year waiting period, hunters may apply for ewe licenses, but cannot accrue preference points. This rule does not apply if you harvest a ram with an auction, raffle or special sheep management license.
REMEMBER: You cannot apply for a Rocky Mountain bighorn and desert bighorn in the same year.
Bighorn Sheep Hunting License Fees
License |
Hunter |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Resident and Nonresident |
$12.15 |
|
|
Application Processing Fee (limited licenses, nonrefundable) |
Resident |
$8.00 |
|
Application Processing Fee (limited licenses, nonrefundable) |
Nonresident |
$10.00 |
|
Preference Point |
Resident |
$50.00 |
|
Preference Point (Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep only) |
Nonresident |
$100.00 |
|
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep |
Resident |
$366.13 |
|
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep/Fishing Combo |
Nonresident |
$2,686.04 |
|
Desert Bighorn Sheep |
Resident |
$366.13 |
|
Desert Bighorn Sheep |
Nonresident |
$2,686.0 |
- All prices include a 25-cent search-and-rescue fee, a $1.50 for the Wildlife Council surcharge.
- All nonresident big-game licenses are a big-game and annual fishing combination license: Fishing licenses are val through March 31.
- You can opt out of receiving a preference point on your primary draw application. You will not pay the fee and will not receive a point if you opt out.
Bighorn Sheep Season Dates
Season |
Notes |
Start Date |
End Date |
Add to Calendar |
Maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rocky Mountain Bighorn |
(limited only) |
August 01, 2024 |
December 31, 2024 |
See brochure | |
|
Desert Bighorn Sheep |
(limited only) |
November 01, 2024 |
November 30, 2024 |
See Brochure |
Hunt dates for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep or desert bighorn sheep vary by license type and hunt location. Note: Always check your physical license and the Colorado Sheep and Goat Brochure for specific hunting dates.
License Options
Limited Licenses
What are limited licenses?
Each year, a set (limited) number of licenses is allotted to each game management unit (GMU). Huntable areas are broken down into units called “game management units.” These units help you decide where you'd like to hunt. A GMU map is available on the inside back cover of the Big Game Brochure.
You can apply for the big game draw(s) to get one of these limited licenses, or after the draws are over, you can purchase a remaining (leftover) limited license when they go on sale.
Big Game Draws
- Primary Draw (application period closed on April 2, 2024 )
- Secondary Draw (application period closed on June 28, 2024)
A qualifying license is required prior to applying for limited licenses through the big game draw(s).
Hunters can submit one application per species to participate in the draw. Applications can include up to four hunt choices to maximize your opportunity to draw a license and hunt.
Types of Limited Licenses
Limited licenses include public-land, private-land-only, Ranching for Wildlife (RFW), Bighorn Sheep Access Program (BSAP), season choice and leftover limited licenses.
Preference Points
Preference points help hunters to be successful in future primary draws because points add up per species until an applicant draws a first-choice license. One preference point is awarded to each applicant who qualifies for and does not draw their first-choice limited license for deer, elk, pronghorn or bear in the primary draw, or who applies using a specific preference-point hunt code that gets them a preference point only as their first choice.
Preference points are available on the primary draw application only.
Tip: If you can’t hunt this year, but intend to in the future, apply for a preference point by entering the “preference point only” hunt code in the “first choice hunt code” on the application. See pages 3 and 9 in the Big Game Brochure for details.
Refunds
For information on license refunds, please visit the Hunting License Refunds, Reversals and Exchanges page.
Auction and Raffle Licenses
CPW issues special Auction and Raffle Program big game licenses to nonprofit organizations focused on conserving wildlife in Colorado. The funds generated from the sale of these licenses are used for big game habitat enhancement, research, management, and education.
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat Opportunities
Special auction and raffle licenses are available for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and mountain goat. Auction and raffle licenses allows one to hunt during extended seasons in any unit open to hunting a certain species. These licenses are offered by participating wildlife conservation organizations that return at least 75 percent of the proceeds to CPW for research, management and education.
Opportunities for Everyone
Youth Hunters
Youth hunters have youth-only hunting opportunities including small game, extended seasons for deer, elk, and pronghorn, and hunter outreach opportunities for big game (including moose), small game, waterfowl, and turkey hunting experiences.
Nonresident Hunters
Nonresident hunters have a percentage of deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat licenses set aside for them. They can also participate in group hunts and are eligible for a combo hunting and fishing license.
Resident Hunters
Residents have the option to participate in both big game draws, and apply for or purchase hybrid draw licenses, leftover licenses, reissued licenses, over-the-counter licenses, fishing and hunting combo licenses, raffle licenses, group hunts, and ranching for wildlife hunts.
Hunters Experiencing Disabilities
Resident hunters experiencing disabilities can request accommodations for visual and physical disabilities to assist with their hunts.
New Hunters
New hunters can apply to go on mentored big game, small game, waterfowl, pheasant, and turkey hunts with the hunter outreach program, participate in a year long hunting experience with the rookie sportsperson program, and continue to broaden their skills past their initial hunter education course with regularly offered hunting classes to practice and hone techniques. Specific classes are also offered for women to learn in a comfortable environment.
Hunters in the Military
Colorado residents who are deployed active duty military can apply to purchase leftover hunting licenses or receive a preference point in advance, or apply for a refund if deployed after their purchase. Veterans experiencing disabilities can apply for a lifetime combo fishing hunting license, and apply for accommodation while hunting. Veterans may also apply for big game licenses through the Wounded Warrior program.
Have you completed your hunter education course?
Colorado law requires that individuals born on or after January 1, 1949, must complete an approved hunter education course before applying for or purchasing a Colorado hunting license.
Already taken a hunter education course? Learn more about how to provide proof of completion.
Take a Hunter Education Class
Hunter education classes are available in-person in a classroom setting or online with an in-person completion exam.
Find a Hunter Education ClassGrow Your Archery Skills
Hunters that chose archery as their method of take can grow their skills prior to hunting season by taking a bowhunter education class.
Find a Bowhunter Education ClassBrochures
Colorado Sheep and Goat Hunting Brochure
Be sure to read the “What’s New” pages to see a full list of changes on tap for the upcoming hunting seasons.
Download the Brochure