Bighorn Sheep in Eastern Montana
Bighorn Sheep in Eastern Montana 620 622 680 and 482
I know some will disagree, but the four units mentioned above as a whole on a year-to-year basis, are arguably the best Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep units in the world. They all have their cycles of producing the best, but one of them is usually at the top. Those that draw these highly coveted permits, we want to help you make the most of it. We want to continue to try and go along with a lucky tag holder or two and help you make the most of your hunt. Going into 2024, there has already been some huge changes and we expect there to be more before applications become available.
If you are ever able to draw one of these please take full advantage of it. This is the time to put all other hunts aside and make a lifelong memory. I was privileged to draw one of these just a few years ago and I remember an old timer telling me, “Enjoy it, cause once it’s over, it is over.” When he said it, I did not fully grasp it until I was driving home after everything was done and a little bit of weird sadness hits you, that hunt is over. Every year I am sure there is a handful of people who feel that same feeling after they go on what I would call, an absolute incredible experience, knowing it was most likely their last.
We plan on going into further depth on each of these units, some good news and some bad. But as I mentioned earlier, do not focus on the bad, as you will have hurtles to deal with in any of the units. There is no access to that area, the river is too high, someone else shot that big ram, etc. Take every bit of good news and go with it. These hunts can be a roller coaster of emotions from day to day, especially when after a particular sheep, just know most of these hunts have a great ending. Last I checked they called this being optimistic. Every successful hunter I know has it.
Unlike most Bighorn Sheep units, apart from one, the sheep in Eastern Montana stay relatively stable. Several sheep units on the western side of the state along with the rest of the western US, sheep herds are susceptible to some nasty stuff. Wildlife agencies are forced to cut the quota to little or none. This leads to another point regarding quality. When there is a drastic cut in permits or the quota is put at zero from disease or any various reasons, when permits do become available again and the sheep numbers are growing, this is usually the time to see or harvest the best that given unit has to offer. This rule applies to not only bighorn sheep in Montana but sheep throughout the west, along with other big game animals, especially Mule Deer, more on this later.
For the last few years many of the units were starting to see what I would call a plateau affect. Several years ago, populations and top end quality were reaching a peak and quotas were high. Environmental conditions need to be ideal to keep the sheep herd stable and healthy. When the drought started a few years ago, quotas stayed on the upper end throughout and you could really start to see numbers and quality drop. Unit 482 just announced some major changes in response to this and I expect 680 to soon follow suit. I think 622 has a lesser chance and 620 was recently increased to three.
One problem we all know about is the horrible odds to draw one of the ram permits and I expect them to be harder over the next few years. Some should really consider a ewe hunt, especially if you are late to the game in building points or are a non-resident. The truth is, these ram permits are not even once in a lifetime, they are one in two or three lifetimes. Some may never get the chance to experience one of these hunts, which is why some go with a ewe permit. You are still hunting sheep and can make it an incredible experience in its own. The other option is to find someone or going with a friend or relative that draws one of these permits. This is the time to put aside the general deer or elk time off and go on a sheep hunt. I have spent plenty of time in these areas with and without a permit and do not regret any of it. If you are lucky enough to draw, feel free to reach out, would love to help.
*If you are towards max points or are wanting a exceptional trophy class ram, consider building points for a bit. If you have been putting in for several years, chances are it was better when you started applying. Lots have changed in the last 5 years. I think there are going to be quota adjustments and those that draw three years from now may have a far different hunt than those successful applicants this year and next. You are taking a chance, but it is worth considering.