DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP

California is home to some of the most unique Desert Bighorn Sheep units in the West. From 13,000ft peaks, to remote desert canyons in the southern part of the state. The state truly has some exceptional animals and has produced world class rams. SCO guides all sheep units in the state and has had a 100% success opportunity. For more Information on this once in a lifetime hunt, please give us a call.

Zones
Zone 1 - Marble / Clipper Mountains
Zone 2 - Kelso Peak / Old Dad Mountains
Zone 3 - Clark / Kingston Mountains
Zone 4 - Orocopia Mountains
Zone 5 - San Gorgonio Mountains
Zone 6 - Sheep Hole Mountains
Zone 7 - White Mountains - Periods 1 & 2
Zone 8 - South Bristol Mountains
Zone 9 - Cady Mountains
Zone 10 - Newberry / Rodman & Ord Mountains - Periods 1 & 2
(New) Zone 11 - Granite & North Bristol Mountains
(New) Zone 12 - Providence, Woods, & Hackberry Mountains
(New) Zone 13 - Castle Mountains & Piute Range

Learn More about California Desert Sheep

DAVE SHADOAN

Below is Dave with his incredible ram from San Gorgonio 2025 / 2026 season. Dave was the lucky tag holder after the unit had a phumonia break out in 2018, causing the unit to close till. The number of sheep seen while scouting and during the hunt was great to see. After locating our target ram, we made a stalk which put us at 600 yards. Typically, not wanting to shoot over 500 yards, Dave has a background that most don’t have and he was comfortable at that range. One well-placed shot and the ram was down. The DFG aged his ram at 10 years old and green scored the ram at 177, with four inches broomed off! Congrats again on taking one of the biggest rams of the season!

Sara Potter

Here is Sara with her last weekend ram from the Kelso Peak & Old Dad Mountains from the 2025 / 2026 season. Sara’s hunt was full of highs and lows. With well over 100 boot miles put in the unit, she made it count on this 11-year-old the that grossed 171 4/8. The SCO team had been following this ram for years. Sara is one of the toughest woman we have ever hunted with. Congrats again and thanks for hunting with us.

DAVE SCHULGEN

Josh Schulgen, founder of Sierra Crest Outfitters and his dad Dave, with his 2023 / 2024 season Kelso / Old Dad range ram. Just prior to draw results, Dave had a complete knee replacement. It took all year to back in shape but he was able to do it knowing he had a sheep tag in pocket. With intense scouting throughout the year, Dave knew what ram he wanted to put his tag on come season. On the fourth day of the hunt we located him and Dave made one well placed shot to knock him out of the less then one club. On the hunt were family and friends to make this once in a lifetime hunt possible.

JEFF WATTS

Jeff watts smiling as he sits behind his 2025 / 2026 season ram from the Newberry / Rodmans & Ord Mountains. After watching a handful of great rams worthy of putting a tag on, we found this ram all alone way up on top of the mountain. After watching him we noticed we noticed he was a mature ram due to his horn and body size. We all agreed he needed a closer look. Several hours later we were within range and Jeff said he was the one. With a couple well placed shots, he was down. Jeff’s ram later aged 12 years old and grossed 171 4/8.

CRAIG CATELLE

Here is Craig with his 2025 / 2026 season Newberry / Rodman & Ord Mountains ram. Craig traveled from Michigan to finally put his hands on his desert. We battled just about everything you could imagine on this hunt. Fog, high winds, and rain but we didn’t let that slow us down on taking this 10 year old ram that grossed 169 7/8. Craigs ram can be seen on the cover of the 2026 June issue of Epics Outdoors Congrats again Craig!

CODY DARLING

Here is Cody darling at 12,000 feet with his giant bodied 2025 / 2026 White mountain ram! The Whites can be extremely challenging on finding rams, especially the last several years. We located Cody’s ram but shortly after, some coyotes ran him off. We didn’t get the best look at him and after relocating the him the next day and decided he was a great ram. We made a great text book stalk and Cody was able to seal the deal with one well placed shot on this 8 year old ram. Cody’s story can be seen in the 2026 June issue of Epic Outdoors and California Wild Sheep magazine.

JIM WILDBY

Here is Jim Wildby with his 2025 / 2026 Kelso Peak / Old Dad Mountain ram. This unit can be difficult on finding rams at times. Jim invested a lot of time and hunted well over 20 days before finally getting his hands on this old ram. With zero front teeth we aged him at 13 yrs old making him one of the oldest rams taken during the season. Congrats again Jim!

Mike Smiefert

Here is Mike Smiefert with his 9 year old Cady Mountain ram from the 2024 / 2025 season. From the beginning, Mike wanted a great experience and he without a doubt got one. A typical shot on a ram is normally several hundred yards away but for Mike he was so close you could hear the hoofs hit rocks at 25 yards as the ram walked directly at us. A well placed shot and Mike had his once in a lifetime ram!

MARVIN LOOMIS

Here is Marvin Loomis and his 2025 / 2026 White Mountain ram. It was extremely challenging being at that elevation for Marvin being 72 years young but he was able to get it done on this great Cranker of a ram for the Whites! On his hunt was his nephew who got to whiteness Marvin take his ram. Congrats again Marvin!

JOHN MACLATCHIE

John hunted hard in the White Mountains for 21 days during the 2022 / 2023 season before giving us a call. On the second to last day we were fortunate enough to find this great ram and John was able to slip in and make the shot count. The 16 mile day was a grind but it was worth every aching second!

BRYSON ROLES

Here is Bryson and his 2022 / 2023 Desert Bighorn Sheep from the Clark Kingston Mountain range. Bryson and his entire family helped out on the hunt. On day 5 we located this 10 year ram and Bryson said he was the one. Bryson made a great 300 yard shot and rest was history! The Roles family are amazing people and we can't wait to get back out on the mountain with them!

PAUL DIVINE

Here is Paul and his 10 year old South Bristol ram from the 2023 / 2024 season. Paul hunted hard for several weeks and with time running out he gave us a call. On day one we were fortunate enough to locate this great ram and the stalk was on. Finding a ram of this class in the South Bristol's can be extremely challenging.

PAUL KELLY

Paul Kelly started off the new year with an incredible 14 year old ram from the Kelso Peak / Old Dad range during the 2024 / 2025 season. This ram believe it or not was one of the survivors from the 2014 phenomena break out that nearly wiped out the entire heard. To add he somehow broke his leg and lived off his front knees for 9 years! He avoided all predators and survived! Amazing ram to say the least. To see how his hunt went, click the video link below!