Idaho Sheep Hunting Trips

Idaho sheep hunting is unique in that the state has populations of Rocky Mountain Bighorn and California Bighorn Sheep. Idaho’s stereotypical mountain country is home to the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. California bighorns live in the high desert country of Southern Idaho, and count towards a Rocky Mountain for those of you going for you Sheep Slam. When you are planning your application strategy, an Idaho sheep hunt should be on your short list. With no point system in place and applicants limited to applying for only one once-in-a-lifetime species per year, Idaho is going to be your best bet at beating the odds of drawing a sheep tag.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep in Idaho

Rocky Mountain bighorns live in the central mountains from Hells Canyon as the west border to Montana as the border to the east and Highway 84 as the border to the south. Much of the terrain in this area is some of the steepest, most rugged and remote wilderness country found anywhere. There are a few physically easier hunts to choose from, but for most of these hunts, plan on using horses, floating the river through, flying into the wilderness, or backpacking in to access sheep country.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunting Units in Idaho:
11, 17, 19, 19A, 20, 20A, 21, 26, 27, 28, 30, 36, 36A, 36B, 37, 37A, 51

California Bighorn Sheep in Idaho

California bighorns occupy southern Idaho’s Great Basin canyon and rangelands south of Interstate 84. All of the California bighorn sheep units are physically easy compared to the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep units. The California sheep population is stable, and if a hunter is in decent shape and gets off the road and hunts hard, he should have no problem filling his tag with a mature ram.

California Bighorn Sheep Hunting Units in Idaho:
40, 41, 42, 55

Ask About an Idaho Sheep Hunt OI Application Service

How to get a tag for an Idaho Sheep Hunt

1. You can apply for an Idaho sheep hunting tag through the annual Idaho Fish and Game lottery. You must buy a hunting license and apply during the month of April.
2. Each winter Idaho auctions off a statewide sheep tag at the national Wild Sheep Foundation convention. It usually sells between $30,000 and $120,000. (Unit 11 is excluded every other year.)
3. Idaho offers an annual raffle for a statewide sheep tag administered through the Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation. (Unit 11 is excluded every other year.)

We work with some truly exceptional sheep hunting outfitters in Idaho. When you draw a tag, be sure to get in touch with us for recommendations. While the average ram coming from Idaho is typically in the low to mid-160s, there are a handful of 170 class rams and a few over 180 harvested each year. If you are only looking for a 190 ram, your choice is easy – you need to apply for unit 11 in Hells Canyon.

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Idaho Sheep Hunting in the Frank Church Wilderness

The Frank Church is an incredible wilderness area, this outfitter is amazing, and this Idaho sheep hunt is really good.

To top it all off, it’s not crazy hard to draw this tag. Do to the remote nature of the Frank Church Wilderness Area, these are some of the “easiest” sheep tags to draw in North America. These Idaho bighorn sheep hunts are the real thing… the unmatched landscapes of the Frank Church Wilderness Area, pack in on horseback, camping out, spot-and-stalk hunting, experienced guides and outstanding meals.

Idaho Sheep Hunting Units 19A, 26, 26L, 27L and 20A

*This is a great choice for hunters who buy the Idaho Auction Tag for an Idaho Sheep Hunt.

All of these units are wilderness fly-in hunts. The application numbers can change annually so be sure to check the Idaho Fish & Game website, for the current 4-digit unit number. You must apply during the month of April.  Sheep hunts vary from the time of year you can hunt, the toughness of terrain, access, drawing odds and more.

• Guiding is done either 2 guides per hunter or 1:1 depending on your preference.
• Transportation will include hiking, and horses.
• All accommodations will be taken care of by the outfitter and include tent camping as this is a true wilderness hunt.
• Camp may move a few times during your hunt while you search for a good ram.
• Meals range from homestyle-type cooking if you’re down in basecamp, to Mountain House if you’re spiking out. You won’t go hungry.
• You will spend a lot of time glassing.

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Book Your Idaho Sheep Hunt

If you wish to sheep hunt, let us know now and we will in turn provide you with a reminder and information when the drawing time draws near. Idaho sheep hunting with one of our outfitters is very special hunt and should be considered by anyone who calls himself a hunter, at least once before you retire the boots and rifle.

IDaho sheep Hunting Outfitters:
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