Colorado Bighorn Sheep Hunting Units & Draw Odds
60 units · 62.4% avg hunter success
Colorado's bighorn sheep draw runs on a preference point system across 66 units, each with distinct point requirements and success rates. Nonresidents make up 20% of the tag pool and face a $2823.53 tag fee plus an $11.49 application fee for the 2026 draw—applications open March 1 and close April 7, with results May 26. The preference system means your odds improve each year you don't draw, but point requirements vary significantly by unit and season type. Our unit-by-unit breakdown shows you exactly how many nonresident preference points were needed to draw with certainty in recent years, plus actual harvest success rates so you can target units that match your hunting style and risk tolerance.
How the Colorado Draw Works
Draw system
Preference points — the highest point holders draw first.
Nonresident allocation: 20% of tags
2026 application window
Mar 1 – Apr 7(nonresident)
Results: May 26
2026 fees (nonresident, regular)
$11.49 app · $117.62 license · $2823.53 tag · $100 point
Easiest Bighorn Sheep Draws for Nonresidents (2023 Results)
Point levels that drew with certainty, and the best documented zero-point hunts — actual draw results, per hunt.
0 pts drew with certainty · Archery, Female S2
1 pts drew with certainty · Rifle, Female S1
2 pts drew with certainty · Rifle, Female S1
2 pts drew with certainty · Rifle, Female S1
3 pts drew with certainty · Rifle, Female S2
3 pts drew with certainty · Rifle, Female S2
All Colorado Bighorn Sheep Units
Colorado Bighorn Sheep Draw FAQ
How many preference points do I need to draw a Colorado bighorn sheep tag as a nonresident?
Point requirements vary by unit and hunt season. Recent data shows draws ranging from 0 nonresident points (Unit S32, archery female) to 3 points (Unit S33, rifle female). The preference system rewards accumulated points, so your odds improve each year you apply without drawing.
When do Colorado bighorn sheep applications open and close for 2026?
The 2026 nonresident draw opens March 1 and closes April 7. Results are announced May 26. The application fee is $11.49, and if you draw, the tag fee is $2823.53.
What percentage of Colorado bighorn sheep tags go to nonresidents?
Nonresidents receive 20% of the available tags in Colorado's bighorn sheep draw. The remaining allocation goes to resident hunters.
How successful are hunters in Colorado bighorn sheep units?
Success rates vary considerably by unit. Recent data shows rates as low as 0% in some units and as high as 100% in Unit S33 (2024, rifle female). Unit S73 recorded 75% success in 2020, showing that unit choice directly impacts your harvest likelihood.
Plan your Colorado Bighorn Sheep hunt — free account, no card. Run the draw simulator at your point level, see 2022–2024 data, and save units to compare.
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