These 11 States Have the Most Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn Sheep were once the most widespread native wildlife in North America, with an estimated population size of 1.5 to 2 million during the 19^th century. Nowadays, less than 70,000 remain in North America, and a bit more than half are found in the United States. According to recent population status data, here are the 11 states with the most Bighorn Sheep.

Washington

Washington has approximately 1,500 Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep roaming the eastern part of the state. About 18 herds of these sheep are scattered across Okanogan Highlands, Hells Canyon Country, and the eastern slopes of the Columbia Basin. A large number of Bighorn Sheep had to be culled by the state to prevent a disease from spreading to the remaining herds.

New Mexico

An estimated 3,000 Bighorn Sheep are roaming New Mexico. The Desert and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep are the two subspecies currently found there. However, more than half of the population are Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. New Mexico considers these sheep important wildlife, both for watching purposes and for game hunting. Sadly, a deadly disease outbreak is responsible for New Mexico’s declining Bighorn Sheep population.

Idaho

Idaho considers Bighorn Sheep to be an important part of the state’s natural heritage. They are found throughout Hells Canyon, Owyhee Canyonlands, and the Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers. An estimated 3,200 Bighorn Sheep remain in Idaho, but tens of thousands once lived throughout the state’s rugged terrain. These sheep are enjoyed by tourists, sportsmen, backpackers, river runners, and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

Utah

Utah is home to approximately 4,500 of all three Bighorn Sheep subspecies. They are found in the southern half of the state along the mountainous areas. There are more Desert Bighorn Sheep in Utah because this subspecies has adapted well to the state’s hot, dry climate. California Bighorn Sheep weren’t always found in Utah, but an established breeding herd helped bring the population to about 1,400.

Oregon

Thanks to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep has been reintroduced into the state. Between 800 to 1,000 Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep are found in Oregon, roaming the Snake River canyons and Wallowa Mountains. The rest of the population consists of around 3,200 California Bighorn Sheep.

California

An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 Bighorn sheep call California home. The state has both the Desert and California Bighorn Sheep subspecies. It’s also the California Bighorn Sheep’s ideal habitat, as they favor the Sierra Nevada’s rocky slopes and canyons. In 2016, the California Bighorn Sheep population size was roughly 600 and seems to fluctuate each year. Predators, disease, and harsh weather conditions are responsible for their declining numbers.

Montana

There are roughly 5,700 Bighorn Sheep in Montana, most of which are the Rocky Mountain subspecies. They are one of the state’s most sociable game animals. Populations of these sheep sharply declined in the early 1900s but have grown into one of the nation’s largest. Montana has an important role in the Bighorn Sheep’s conservation and a good reputation for helping establish large populations across the state.

Arizona

Arizona is home to an estimated 6,000 Rocky Mountain and Desert Bighorn Sheep. They are found along desert mountain ledges and grassy basins. Arizona’s declining Bighorn Sheep population is linked to diseases, parasites, and competition with other wildlife for food and water. To protect the Desert Bighorn Sheep, the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge was set up, and roughly 500 of these subspecies live in the Yuma desert region.

Wyoming

According to a 2022 survey from the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA), Wyoming has an estimated 6,400 Bighorn Sheep. However, there are only a hundred left in the Teton Mountain Range. Currently, there are only 750 Bighorn Sheep in the Whiskey Basin, but there used to be large herds with an estimated population size of 2,500. The Whiskey Basin herd population stays low because lambs have a low survival rate.

Colorado

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep are the only subspecies found in Colorado, with an estimated population size of 7,000. The population wasn’t always so large, but the state has spent decades trying to restore and conserve the herds. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) closely monitors their Bighorn Sheep herds to ensure the population doesn’t decline. Most of the population can be spotted in the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Nevada

Nevada has one of the largest Bighorn Sheep populations, with 12,500 sheep in 2019. The population has doubled since 1990 when Nevada had only 5,200 Bighorn Sheep. All three subspecies are found in the state because the rugged landscapes and mountains are their ideal habitat. The Desert Bighorn Sheep is Nevada’s official state animal and roam Southern Nevada’s rocky mountains.

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