Bighorn Sheep Special Permits

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

Application Submission Period: April 15-midnight on May 22, 2024

These hunts are for special permit holders only. See Special Permit Application Instructions for instructions on how to apply.
You may purchase and submit one permit application for each hunt category, for which you qualify.
Hunting licenses for mountain goat, moose, or bighorn sheep do not have to be purchased unless you are selected for a special hunt permit. If selected, you must send a check or money order for the appropriate fee, to WDFW's Headquarters office by the deadline established by the Department (15 day minimum) or the permit will become void and will be offered to an alternate. You may also purchase using a credit card by calling (866) 246-9453.

Who May Apply:

Any Ram Category:

Anyone, except those who have previously harvested a bighorn sheep ram in Washington State under an "Any Ram" permit. An individual may only harvest one bighorn sheep ram under the "Any Ram" category during their lifetime.

Adult Ewe Category:

Anyone may apply, every year, regardless of prior harvest(s).

Youth and Hunters with Disabilities Categories:

Anyone may apply that meets the requirements for the particular category, every year, regardless of prior harvest(s).

Raffle and Auction Permits:

Anyone may apply every year.

Bag Limit:

One (1) bighorn sheep except where otherwise permitted by department rule, even if permits are drawn for more than one bighorn sheep hunt category.

Weapon Restrictions:

Permit holders may use any legal weapon.

Hunt Choices:

Up to 4 hunt choices may be selected per category.

Horn Marking Requirements:

A hunter who kills or possesses a bighorn sheep ram taken in Washington must present the horns for inspection and marking within 10 days to a WDFW Regional or District Office or a location designated by a department representative. Call a WDFW Regional or District Office to schedule an appointment with a biologist for horn marking. A WDFW employee will permanently mark an identification number on one of the horns. Inspection and marking does NOT substitute for Mandatory Hunter Reporting (see Mandatory Hunter Reporting). For bighorn sheep, both are required.

Bighorn Sheep Special Permit Hunts
In addition to the mandatory inspection and marking of your harvested bighorn sheep, you will owe one hunting activity report for EACH special permit awarded.
Hunt Choice	Hunt Name	Hunt Notes	Permit Season	Permit Hunt Boundary Description	Special Restrictions	Permits	2023 Apps/Avg Pts
Any Ram
5000	Cleman Mountain		Oct. 1-31	Sheep Unit 7	Any Legal Weapon	4	7432/22
5001	Lincoln Cliffs		Sept. 15-Oct. 10	Sheep Unit 12	Any Legal Weapon	2	3171/11
5002	Quilomene		Oct. 1-31	Sheep Unit 13	Any Legal Weapon	3	5983/22
5003	Swakane		Sept. 15-Oct. 10	Sheep Unit 14	Any Legal Weapon	2	8361/17
5004	Manson		Nov. 9-30	Sheep Unit 16	Any Legal Weapon	2	3300/20
5005	Chelan Butte A	E	Sept. 15-Oct. 10	Sheep Unit 18	Any Legal Weapon	2	7703/11
5006	Chelan Butte B	E	Oct. 11-Nov. 15	Sheep Unit 18	Any Legal Weapon	2	6303/20
5007	Wenaha		Sept. 15-Oct. 10	GMU 169	Any Legal Weapon	1	NEW
5008	Mountain View - Black Butte		Sept. 15-Oct. 10	GMU 172, portions of GMU 181,186	Any Legal Weapon	1	2663/27
Adult Ewe
5009	Lincoln Cliffs Whitestone Unit		Sept. 15-30	Sheep Unit 20 Whitestone	Adult ewe only; Any Legal Weapon	2	3064/18
5010	Swakane		Oct. 11-31	Sheep Unit 14	Adult ewe only; Any Legal Weapon	2	NEW
Youth
5011	Chelan Butte	E	Sept. 15-Oct. 10	Sheep Unit 18	Adult ewe only; Any Legal Weapon	1	NEW
Hunters with Disabilities-Adult ewe only (Female)
5012	Chelan Butte A	E	Oct. 11-31	Sheep Unit 18	Adult ewe only; Any Legal Weapon	2	252/6
Hunters with Disabilities-Juvenile ram only (Male)
5013	Chelan Butte B	C, D, E	Oct. 11-31	Sheep Unit 18	Juvenile ram only; Any Legal Weapon	2	317/4

Bighorn Sheep Hunt Notes
C	A juvenile ram is defined as a male bighorn sheep having at least one "unbroomed" horn that does not extend past an imaginary line beginning at the point on the animal's forehead where the front of the horn base adjoins the skull, and continuing downwards and in a posterior direction through the posterior edge of the eye. All reference points are based on viewing the ram directly from a ninety degree angle from which the head is facing. A "broomed" horn is defined as a sheep horn that has been broken, splintered, frayed or rubbed in the wild, thus shortening its length and disrupting its natural taper.
D	Hunters must present the head of harvested juvenile rams within 10 days to a WDFW Regional or District Office or a location designated by a department representative. Call a WDFW Regional or District Office to schedule an appointment with a biologist.
E	Hunters are requested to avoid harvesting animals wearing collars.