Idaho Sheep Tag

[EYJONAS!]

I'm pretty green in applying for outta state tags, I have no points in any other state besides Montana. I usually do the unlimited hunt in Montana myself because it gives me the opportunity to chase sheep every year for pennies of what a guided sheep hunt would cost. I have been talking with a few fellow hunters that know and apply in about every state that gives a opportunity to hunt sheep with a point system. Most of them however seem to have about 10 to 15 points in each state. I'm not looking to start now and buy bonus points hoping to draw in 40 years, but the thought of applying in a state that has a random drawing and good sheep hunting seems appealing. I'm looking at either a Church tag or a Cali Bighorn Tag in southwest ID. If anyone would care to share any insight that would help me make a decision or maybe theres something I should know about these areas or I should look into different districts. Any information is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

 

[BigHornRam]

I'm pretty green in applying for outta state tags, I have no points in any other state besides Montana. I usually do the unlimited hunt in Montana myself because it gives me the opportunity to chase sheep every year for pennies of what a guided sheep hunt would cost. I have been talking with a few fellow hunters that know and apply in about every state that gives a opportunity to hunt sheep with a point system. Most of them however seem to have about 10 to 15 points in each state. I'm not looking to start now and buy bonus points hoping to draw in 40 years, but the thought of applying in a state that has a random drawing and good sheep hunting seems appealing. I'm looking at either a Church tag or a Cali Bighorn Tag in southwest ID. If anyone would care to share any insight that would help me make a decision or maybe theres something I should know about these areas or I should look into different districts. Any information is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

Idaho is your best bet for a non resident sheep tag. The hard FCW units have the best odds to draw, but as a non res they are still slim odds. I drew in 2001 as a Montana resident, but had a lifetime Idaho license. That year I had already booked a Yukon sheep hunt, so I put in for the worst draw odds hunt, 27L. And I drew the dang tag!

Put in would be my advice. It's a great place to hunt sheep. PM me if you want to talk about it.

 

[brymoore]

The two tags are polar opposites of each other for Idaho. The Frank tag will be a physical wilderness backpack trip with better draw odds but lower chance of success. The Owyhee Cali tag will have lower draw odds, high success rate and can be truck camped.

 

[1_pointer]

The two tags are polar opposites of each other for Idaho. The Frank tag will be a physical wilderness backpack trip with better draw odds but lower chance of success. The Owyhee Cali tag will have lower draw odds, high success rate and can be truck camped.

Having helped a pard fill both types of tags in ID, this sums it up very well. Pick which of the two you prefer and apply. Both hunts are in spectacular, but very different country.

 

[kimbersig]

the Frank Church tags are no where near units you'd want to apply for if you are wanting a great chance at harvesting a ram either. 27-1 is usually 30% or less harvest, 27-2 is about the same.
27-3 was 75% for the first time in many years this past year( I was one of them) typically its 50%. the Frank Church tags are considered to be Idaho's equivalent of the Montana Unlimiteds. Brutal country and low sheep densities. But it is awesome country and definitely you best bet to draw but plan on if you draw spending weeks in there. I spent 18 days in there last year and got my ram on the 15th day.

 

[EYJONAS!]

Bighorn, Kimber congrats on the rams! Very good input guys, thanks a million. Here's where I'm at with it in my mind. As far as being able to go out to Idaho and spend two weeks looking for a ram preseason and then spending a couple weeks in the wilderness that's probably not gonna happen at this point in my life. I knew it was like the unlimited hunting which I cant get enough of. Having a couple little ones running around and traveling for work kinda straps me. So maybe that Cali Bighorn tag would be more up my ally.

 

[BigHornRam]

Reasonable thinking EYJONAS. One other thing to think about. If one of your friends with a lot of points gets lucky and draws an out of state sheep tag, do not pass up on the opportunity to go along with. A friend of mine beat the odds and drew a desert tag, and it was a great time. His one and only sheep to date. Probably the closest I'll ever get to hunting one.

 

[EYJONAS!]

Yeah kinda regretting not tagging along with my buddy who had a 680.... but when your hunting the unlimited unit's. A guys gotta try and get in there as much as he can and that eats days up quick! My thinking is and everyone else's I'm sure is that a guy might as well double or quadruple his chances for a tag.