Bighorn Sheep - In the Field
Hunting Bighorn Sheep
In the Field
Mandatory Bighorn Sheep Checks
Mandatory Checks Phone Number: 303-291-7278
- All bighorns, including ewes and desert bighorns, must be inspected by a CPW officer or at a CPW office (listed on inside front cover) during regular business hours within 5 working days of harvest. License holders must personally present sheep with horns and skull intact (unfrozen at the time of check). A mandatory report will be completed at that time. A permanent plug will be inserted into the horn of bighorn rams.
- All licensees (including those who did not hunt or harvest) MUST return a mandatory report within 30 days after a season ends. Licensees who do not complete the report become ineligible for future sheep licenses.
- It is illegal to trade, transfer or sell ram heads, capes, skulls or horns unless CPW inspects and permanently plugs the horns. CPW permanently plugs only legally hunter-harvested rams.
Harvesting a Bighorn Sheep
Leave Your Pack Goats at Home
Diseases can be transmitted from goats to bighorns, even if your animals appear healthy. Some diseases can cause large-scale die-offs of wild bighorns. To prevent disease transmission, keep domestic goats out of areas occupied by bighorn sheep.
Bighorn Sheep Identification
Learn how to identify the sex and horn size of bighorn sheep to prepare for your upcoming Colorado hunt.
One-Half-Curl Ram
Male bighorn with a horn or horns having one or both tips grown at least through half (180 degrees) of a circle. This is measured by first establishing a reference line bisecting the eye and base of the ear. A half-curl ram has one or both horns that have grown at least as far as the reference line in the illustration.
Ewe
A female sheep with a horn or horns at least 5 inches long, measured on the outside curve.
Reporting a Harvest
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Hunters Did Not Hunt or Harvest a Bighorn Sheep
Hunters who did not hunt or turned in their license are still required to submit a completed mandatory report within 30 days after the close of the season. Hunters who hunted but did not harvest are still required to submit a completed mandatory report within 30 days after the close of the season.
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Hunters Did Harvest a Bighorn Sheep
Hunters are required to bring their harvest in for inspection on or before the 5th business day after harvest. Hunter must be present at the inspection and bring the horns and skull intact, with the Mandatory Report Form. During the inspection the hunter will need to provide days hunted, harvest location (GMU and drainage), harvest date and manner of take. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will collect horn measurements along with hunt and harvest information and complete the Mandatory Report Form. Colorado Parks and Wildlife personnel will place a permanent plug in one of the horns as proof of inspection.
Mark Your Harvest Site with Your GPS
Hunters who have GPS units are encouraged to mark the location of their harvest in the field. This is especially important for hunters who harvest a moose or bear, as these species require mandatory inspections. During mandatory inspections, hunters will be asked to give a location of their harvest. Having GPS coordinates makes reporting simple and precise. Use your GPS to set a waypoint where you harvest an animal and save the UTM or longitude and latitude coordinates. Bring that information to record on the check report form during harvest inspections.
Ear Tags and Radio Collars
If you shoot an animal with a collar or ear tag, report the number, color, harvest location and date to CPW, and return the radio collars.
Carcass Tags
You must attach a carcass tag to animals you take per instructions on the tag. The tag must stay on the carcass until the meat is processed, and it must remain with the meat until consumed.
It is illegal to sign or tear the tag before take. If you lose, accidentally destroy or detach the tag, you must get a duplicate from a CPW location before hunting and prove the loss, detachment or destruction was accidental. Do not remove other parts of a license except the carcass tag after take. Doing so voids the license, and you must buy a duplicate.
Evidence of Sex
- MALES: head with horns attached, testicle, scrotum or penis.
FEMALES: head, udder (mammary) or vulva. - It is illegal to have or transport big game, or a considerable part of it, without evidence of sex naturally attached. Evidence of sex must be attached to carcass until it is cut into processed meat (commercially or otherwise), wrapped and frozen or stored at licensee’s home.
- Head or intact skull of sheep and goats with horns naturally attached to skull plate must accompany the carcass.
Transporting Game Meat
- Sheep and goats must have carcass tags properly and securely attached to carcass (not horns), unless it is 20 pounds or less of meat that is accompanied by a donation certificate. If carcass is in pieces, tag must be attached to the piece with evidence of sex naturally attached.
- Harvested sheep or goats shipped by common carrier must be accompanied by either the license, a photocopy of license or carcass tag and (if less than 20 pounds of meat) a donation certificate.
- Processed big-game meat must be accompanied by carcass tag or, if donated, a certificate.
- If you transport someone else’s game, animals must be properly tagged, or you can be cited. The upper part of the license must be kept by whoever took the animal. Carry a list identifying each hunter and animal.
- Hunters transporting game through other states are encouraged to check with each state for specific carcass transportation regulations.
Get the Lead Out
From the field to the table, ensuring your next harvest is safe for your family and non-target wildlife is important. Health risks due to lead poisoning from consuming game meat are low for most people; however, switching to non-lead ammunition may be an option that’s right for you. Science tells us that ingesting lead can cause potential human health problems over time.
Additionally, lead-based ammunition can cause adverse impacts on non-target wildlife from lead ingestion while scavenging. Hunters themselves are conservationists, maintaining species populations and protecting habitats. By switching to non-lead ammunition, hunters can support wildlife by reducing the risk of lead poisoning to non-target wildlife such as eagles and other raptors. For more information on risks to wildlife, visit Sporting Lead-Free or HuntingWithNonLead.org.
To Help Reduce Human and Wildlife Health Impacts, You Can:
- Use lead-free shot or bullets. There are many non-lead options now available.
- Hunters who use lead ammunition should choose quality hunting-grade ammunition with a "bonded" or "partition" construction. Avoid frangible bullet types.
- Use careful shot selection. Bullets that strike the lethal area (heart/lungs) are less likely to fragment than bullets that strike more heavily boned areas.
- Bury or pack out your lead-shot gut piles to avoid lead ingestion by non-target wildlife.
- Avoid eating game meat from animals harvested with lead bullets if you are pregnant. Children younger than 6 should also avoid it.
How to Skin and Field Dress a Bear
How To
Skin and Field Dress a Bighorn Sheep
Learn how to properly field dress and care for the meat and hide of bighorn sheep.
Know Before You Go
Road Closures
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are in charge of road closures. Roads are closed seasonally for many reasons. Some roads are closed to protect wildlife at critical times of the year; others are closed because they are not passable due to snow, snow drifts and ice or to protect the road bed. Please be aware that road closure information is subject to change daily.
Fire Restrictions and Prescribed Burns
Colorado is a high wildfire area, and there are often fire restriction and/or bans around the state. Some planned, or prescribed, burns occur during hunting seasons, which can lead to road closures. Closures of areas can change quickly (even daily or hourly) and your hunting destination or access route may be affected. Prior to license purchase, scouting or hunting, learn about closures and plan alternative routes and areas to hunt.
Firewood
If you’ll be camping during your hunting trip, please help protect our forests by buying your firewood in Colorado. Firewood can spread harmful insect pests and diseases such as emerald ash borer, sirex wood wasp, gypsy moth, Asian longhorned beetle and oak wilt disease. If you have firewood from another state, please burn it immediately. For more information, visit our Invasive Species pages or contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture at (303) 239-4140.
Altitude Sickness
Learn about altitude sickness: what it is, the symptoms, how to lessen your chances of being affected, and treatments. The lowest point in Colorado is 3,317 feet above sea level, so altitude sickness can affect you even if you aren't venturing into Colorado's high country.
Information to Leave for Friends and Family
Each member of the hunting party should provide contact information, a schedule with planned locations, and other information that can be used to locate the person to their family or friends. Instruct family members and/or friends on the procedure to follow should it be necessary to contact you in an emergency.
Register Your Off Highway Vehicle
All off-highway vehicles operated in Colorado on public lands or traveling on an OHV-designated route must have a valid Colorado OHV registration or permit. Vehicle use is limited to transporting hunters and downed game.
Find out moreKnow the Rules
Hunters play a key role in supporting wildlife management efforts in Colorado and nationwide. Today, the revenue generated from hunting and fishing activities constitutes about 70 percent of CPW's wildlife management funds.
Hunters and nonhunters alike should show respect and courtesy to all users engaged in outdoor recreation activities.
This video provides the laws for hunting bighorn sheep in Colorado. The Sheep and Goat brochure has the complete list of hunting laws.
It is illegal in Colorado for anyone to prevent or interfere with an individual’s ability to participate in hunting and trapping.
This includes, but is not limited to, alarming, distracting, or frightening prey; causing prey to flee by using light or noise; chasing prey on foot or by vehicle; throwing objects; making movements; harassing hunters by using threats or actions; erecting barriers to deny access to hunting areas; and intentionally injecting yourself into the line of fire. Violators face criminal prosecution and may have to pay damages to the victim, as well as court costs.
If, while hunting, you feel you are being harassed, remain calm and composed, avoiding confrontation or arguing. You should seek assistance from law enforcement personnel. Contact the nearest Colorado Parks and Wildlife office, the Colorado State Patrol, or the local police or sheriff’s department. Report incidents immediately or as soon after their occurrence as is reasonable.
Penalties upon conviction for this misdemeanor include a fine between $500 and $1000, twenty license-suspension points, damages, and court costs.
The Top 10 Most Common Hunting Violations in Colorado
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Trespassing
Going onto private lands without getting permission first while hunting, fishing or performing any related activity is illegal. Private lands do not need to be posted or fenced, so it can be difficult to see boundaries. Violators may be suspended for up to 5 years for trespassing. This includes State Land Board properties not leased and signed to CPW, unless permission is given by the lessee. You must have permission from the landowner to enter private land to retrieve a harvested animal. First, you should try to contact the landowner on your own. If that effort fails, call the local CPW office.
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Failing to make a reasonable attempt to track and kill animals you wound or may have wounded.
Remember that it’s against the law to pursue wounded wildlife that goes on private property without first obtaining permission from the landowner or person in charge. You must still attempt to gain permission to enter and locate the animal.
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Failing to reasonably dress, care for, prepare and provide edible wildlife meat for human consumption.
At a minimum, the four quarters, tenderloins and backstraps are edible meat. Internal organs are not considered edible meat.
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Hunting without a proper license.
Anyone who hunts wildlife must have in their possession the appropriate and valid Colorado resident or nonresident license that includes their Customer Identification (CID) number, and must only harvest wildlife of the species and type indicated on the license.
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Mistakenly killing wildlife.
You must report big-game animals unintentionally killed, not due to carelessness or negligence to a CPW office (or a local Sheriff’s office after CPW regular hours) before continuing the hunt and as soon as practical. Before contacting CPW, field dress the animal. CPW evaluates the circumstances, including shots fired, species and number of animals present, firearms, ammunition, etc. Big game accidentally killed does not count toward annual bag limits.
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Not showing evidence of sex.
Be sure to leave evidence of sex naturally attached to the carcass. Evidence includes the head, the vulva or the scrotum.
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Carrying loaded firearms while in or on any motor vehicle.
Firearms must be unloaded in the chamber. Muzzleloading rifles are considered unloaded if the percussion cap or shotshell primer is removed, or if the powder is removed from the flashpan. It is illegal for anyone to have a loaded electronic ignition muzzleloader in or on a motor vehicle; the chamber must be unloaded or the battery must be disconnected and removed from its compartment. Most accidents involving firearms occur in or near vehicles.
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Carrying loaded firearms (except handguns) must be unloaded in the chamber and magazine.
Firearms (except handguns) and bows must be fully enclosed in a hard or soft case. Scabbards or cases with open ends or sides are prohibited. This does not apply to landowners or their agents who carry a firearm on an OHV to take depredating wildlife on property they own or lease.
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Improperly voiding and/or attaching a carcass tag.
You must sign and detach the carcass tag from your hunting license immediately following taking your animal. It is illegal to sign or tear the carcass tag before harvest. The tag must also be attached to the animal properly.
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Shooting from or across a public road with a firearm, bow or crossbow.
People firing a bow, rifle, handgun or shotgun with a single slug must be at least 50 feet from the centerline of the road.
If convicted of these violations, you may face a life-time hunting license suspension in Colorado.
- Killing and abandoning big game wildlife. It is illegal to remove only the hide, antlers or other trophy parts and leave the carcass in the field.
- Selling, purchasing, or offering to sell or purchase big game.
- Soliciting someone to illegally take big game for commercial gain or providing outfitting services without required registration.
Report Mistakes
If you make a mistake, your best course of action is to contact an officer as soon as possible. While you will still be subject to penalties, they could be less severe if the officer determines that you are cooperative, that the error was not intentional, or that it was unavoidable given the circumstances.
Find an Office
Call the nearest Colorado Parks and Wildlife office and they will assist you with finding the appropriate officer in your area.
Find out moreColorado State Patrol
For after-hours emergencies, call the Colorado State Patrol at 303-239-4501.
Find out moreGet Ready for Hunting Season
Sight In Your Hunting Rifle
While hunters can sight-in big game rifles on some public lands, both private and public gun ranges often have sight-in days. Colorado offers convenient and diverse public shooting ranges that are open all year round, and a large number of private ranges invite the public in as guests or offer public 'sight-in' days just before major hunting seasons. Be sure to contact the range nearest you for details.
Register an Off Highway Vehicle
All off-highway vehicles operated in Colorado on public lands or traveling on an OHV-designated route must have a valid Colorado registration or permit. Off highway vehicle use is limited to transporting hunters and downed game. Straying off designated roads and trails into areas that are closed can disturb wildlife and reduce hunter success. Contact each public land management agency for their current motor vehicle-use rules, regulations, agency maps and game retrieval specifications and hours. If you witness or observe a violation of OHV misuse on public lands, please report it to any law enforcement officer in that area.
Grow Your Archery Skills
Get ready for archery season by taking a Bowhunter Education class. The course covers archery equipment, proper use of tree stands and hunting techniques.
You Can Help Stop Poaching
If you see a poaching incident, report it. Look at it this way: if you saw someone breaking into your neighbor's house, would you just stand by and watch? Of course not; you would report it. Poaching is a crime against you, your neighbor, and everyone else in the state of Colorado. Call 1-877-COLO-OGT toll-free or Verizon cell phone users can simply dial #OGT.