At a Glance
Quick Tips
- Bring a shotgun to hunt game birds
- Carry spare tires, extra water and supplies
- Watch for rattlesnakes in warm weather
species | general Size | trophy potential |
---|---|---|
California Bighorn Sheep | Dummy | Dummy |
species | general Size | trophy potential |
---|---|---|
California Bighorn Sheep | Dummy | Dummy |
Stretching from Nevada almost to the Snake River, this unit supports a lot of California bighorns. They are typically found in Big Jacks Creek and other rugged canyons that are cut under the high desert.
This is a good unit for hunting California bighorn sheep, but terrain can be rough getting into and across some of the remote canyons here. Most sheep can be found in the steep canyons in Big Jacks Creek drainage.
There is a lot of flat and hilly desert terrain cut with ravines, washes and rugged canyons. The sheep population is mainly centered in Big Jacks Creek Wilderness. The unit is entirely inside of Owyhee County. Most land here is dry and brown in the fall except for the northern and eastern sides of the mesas or tables. Most of the flatlands are generally 4,500-6,000 feet in elevation, with the highest area found near the Nevada line.
Hunters have good access to public land in this unit on a network of gravel and dirt roads. Motor vehicles are not allowed in wilderness areas or in some remote sectors outside of the wilderness. The main road into the area is Highway 51, and runs north and south for the length of the unit. Secondary roads branch from it, including Roland Road, which breaks off to the southwest and leads to Sheep Creek.
Sagebrush, greasewood, rabbitbrush, wild grasses and low shrubs and forbs cover up most of the land here. With junipers, maple brush and aspen growing on some of the higher hills, mesas and the sides of river gorges. Cottonwoods and willows are typically found near river bottoms, and the cattails, bulrushes and some other low shrubs grow in and near marshes. Farmlands in the north are planted in alfalfa, grass hay, dry farm grains and other crops. Sheep here mainly feed on the grassy ledges between bands of cliffs in steep canyons.
Most hunters camp along dirt roads, which is allowed almost anywhere on public land in the unit. Wilderness hunters often stay in backpack tents. Mountain View Reservoir Campground offers RV and tent sites at low fees in the Duck Creek reservation. The campground is on Mountain View Road about 1 ½ miles from Highway 51. Mountain Home is the closest town with motels.
Roughly 1,284 square miles
78% public land
Elevations from 4,500-9,000 feet
Good roads and trails for ATVs here
Carry a GPS to check boundaries
Four-wheel drive is recommended on dirt roads