California Bighorn Sheep Hunting 2025

Application Deadlines Non-Resident Fees Resident Fees Big Game Season Dates Draw Result Dates State Contact Information

June 2, 2025

UP-FRONT FEES
Adult Hunting License	$219.81
Junior Hunting License	$16.46
Application Fee per Species (Sheep, Elk, and Antelope)	$8.13
Deer Permit (90% Refundable if Unsuccessful)	$368.20
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Bighorn Sheep Permit	$1,986.75
Elk Permit	$1,825.85
Antelope Permit	$613.60
Bear Permit (OTC)	$387.85
Wild Pig Permit Validation	$98.85

UP-FRONT FEES
Adult Hunting License	$62.90
Junior Hunting License	$16.46
Application Fee per Species (Sheep, Elk, and Antelope)	$8.13
Deer Permit (90% Refundable if Unsuccessful)	$41.30
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Bighorn Sheep Permit	$571.90
Elk Permit	$595.25
Antelope Permit	$200.62
Bear Permit (OTC)	$61.30
Wild Pig Permit Validation	$27.57

CALIFORNIA DEER SEASON DATES
Archery	Jul - Sep 2025 (varies by unit/zone)
Rifle	Aug – Nov, 2025 (varies by unit/zone)
CALIFORNIA ELK SEASON DATES
Rifle (Tule Elk)	Aug - Jan, 2025 (varies by unit)
Archery (Tule Elk)	Sep 1 - 30, 2025 (varies by unit)
Any Weapon (Roosevelt)	Sep–Dec 2025 (varies by unit)
Any weapon (Rocky Mountain elk)	Sep–Nov 2025 (varies by unit)
CALIFORNIA PRONGHORN SEASON DATES
Archery	Aug 9 – Aug 17, 2025
Rifle	Aug – Sep 2025 (varies by unit)
Apprentice / Youth (Controlled)	Aug 23 – Aug 31, 2025
CALIFORNIA BIGHORN SHEEP SEASON DATES
Desert Bighorn (Any Weapon)	Aug 2025 - Feb 2026 (varies by unit)
CALIFORNIA BEAR SEASON DATES
Archery – Rifle	Concurrent with deer seasons – Dec 28, 2025
CALIFORNIA WILD PIG SEASON DATES
Wild Pig (Where Legal)	Year-Round (no bag limit under CDFW)

Disclaimer: California big game season dates vary by species, unit, and hunt type. Emergency orders may change seasons. Always verify current regulations with CDFW.

YEAR	RESULTS POSTED
2025	June 10
2024	June 11
2023	June 13
2022	June 10
2021	June 11
2020	June 11
2019	June 11
2018	June 13
2017	June 12

California Department of Fish & Wildlife

1416 9th Street, 12th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
ph. 916-322-8911

APPLY CHECK POINTS

As a whole, sheep in California are doing okay. The famed San Gorgonios will finally have a hunt again for 2025! The White Mountains and the Newberrys will be split between two hunts this year. As a whole, permit numbers will stay the same across the board, except for the Whites and Newberry as they will be gaining permits versus last year, but they will have those permits divided up amongst their two periods. More hunts equals more random permits, which as we know is widely accepted by residents and non-residents alike. As per usual, harvest success was great, besides the few unsuccessful hunters last year in the Whites and Sheep Hole mountains. California is the land of giant rams for the lucky few who end up with tags each year, and it strongly has to do with how conservatively they manage their permit allocation. The rule for bighorn sheep allocation is up to 15% of legal rams counted, meaning California must count seven legal rams (1/2 curl) to issue one permit. It may be hard to draw a sheep permit in California, but for those who are fortunate enough to draw, they will be in for a hunt-of-a-lifetime.

The hardest part of sheep hunting in California is actually getting the permit. Some of California’s sheep hunts can be extremely difficult, and hunting can take place at elevations over 10,000 feet. If you are not in good shape, make sure you read the comments in the table and only apply for the units that fit your physical ability.

If you are looking for a 175"+ ram, you need to be applying for the Orocopia, Clark/Kingston, and the new Newberry, Rodman, and Ord units. The White Mountains can be good for a 170" type ram, but we cannot stress enough how difficult that hunt is. For 2024, there will be 21 permits. If you draw a Desert bighorn sheep permit, give us a call as we work with the best sheep guides in California.

UNIT	COMMENTS
Marble/Clipper Mountains	160"+ potential. Larger rams in rugged terrain—hunter must be fit. Easy-access pipeline road holds smaller rams. Mostly public land with good road access. Recent lamb recruitment poor; overall ram quality slipping.
Old Dad/Kelso Peak	Reopened in 2020 after closure. Physically easier hunt but low population makes rams hard to locate. Stable numbers; primarily public land with good access. 160"+ potential.
Clark/Kingston Mountain Ranges	165"+ potential. Low sheep numbers. Clarks offer easier access; Kingston Range very rugged—backpack required. Mostly public land with good access; chance at top‐tier ram.
Orocopia Mountains	160"+ potential. Poor feed and lamb recruitment risk unit closure. Old rams present but dispersed; steep, roadless areas demand boots on ground. Drought drives rams to water.
San Gorgonio Mountains	160–170"+ potential. Hunt offered first time since 2018. High‐elevation up to 11,000′ with some private land—guide recommended. Pre‐closure success 100% on two permits.
Sheep Hole Mountains	150"+ potential. Hunt reinstated after decade-long hiatus. Physically demanding with smaller rams—draw odds favorable.
White Mountains	160–170"+ potential. Most physical sheep hunt in CA—high‐altitude (11,500–13,200′). Strong backpacker needed or outfitter/stock. Rare un–hunted rams live high.
South Bristol Mountains	150"+ potential, 160" rams scarce. Quality declining; eastern end easiest access and frequent glassing. Western end under‐hunted—spread widely.
Cady Mountains	155–165"+ potential. Numbers lower but improving lamb recruitment. Pass on small rams near river and sandhill country; northern end roadless—day‐hunt elsewhere.
Newberry, Rodman, and Ord Mountains	160–170"+ potential. Good access, terrain like Cady Mtns but higher sheep densities. Since 2019, consistent production of top‐tier rams. Both Period 1 & 2 hunts are premier.

HFA002-5

Alaska Peninsula Coast

Species: Brown Bear

Cost: $ 29,500.00

Location: Alaska, United States

HFA091-1

New Mexico Unit 36

Species: Rocky Mountain Elk

Cost: $ 8,000.00

Location: New Mexico, United States

HFA396-3

All-Inclusive Guided Stone

Species: Stone Sheep

Cost: $ 89,250.00

Location: British Columbia, Canada

HFA038-5

Trophy Canadian Moose

Species: Canadian Moose

Cost: $ 9,800.00

Location: British Columbia, Canada

HFA127-2

Wyoming Antelope Hunt

Species: Pronghorn Antelope

Cost: $ 4,500.00

Location: Wyoming, United States

HFA245-8

Montana Mountain Lion

Species: Mountain Lion

Cost: $ 6,800.00

Location: Montana, United States

HFA392-4

Idaho Trophy Mule Deer

Species: Mule Deer

Cost: $ 5,900.00

Location: Idaho, United States

CALIFORNIA BIGHORN SHEEP HUNTS	2025 SEASON DATES
Desert Bighorn (Any Weapon)	Aug 2025 - Feb 2026 (varies by unit)

Disclaimer: California bighorn sheep seasons are limited, controlled hunts with zone-specific dates and quotas that may change. Always verify current regulations with CDFW.

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Dates & Fees | California Bighorn Sheep Hunting