Desert Bighorn Populations Question

[WVELK]

I am likely to book a Mexico Desert Bighorn archery hunt for 2026. A couple of questions for those with more knowledge - sheep knowledge.

1. Are the desert bighorn populations in Mexico significantly better than in the U.S.? And, if so why?
2. I have only attempted one sheep hunt to date. It was a Dall Sheep hunt with a rifle. Knowing what I know now there is no way I would have ever attempted that hunt with a bow. Should I think twice about a bow hunt for a desert bighorn in Mexico for those of you who have been there. For 30 years 99 percent of the big game animals I have taken were with a bow, so I do have a fair amount of bowhunting experience just now sheep experience.

 

[SDHNTR]

I’d be curious to hear more about your Dall hunt and your opinion on archery hunting them.

As for deserts, I’m no pro, but I did try with my bow when I drew a tag and I just ran out of time, so I turned to the rifle. But opening morning I almost got the job done on a 165” ram. I had him under 50 yards and just needed one more step. I then missed two other shots too, so it definitely can be done, and the unit I hunted was not very conducive to bow hunting with loud rocky ground and little vegetation. That same year, my friend archery shot what was the P&Y WR for a while. It’s definitely possible.

Again, I’m no expert, but if I were looking into an archery DBS hunt and based of what I’ve seen, I’d strongly consider Carmen Island. I’d probably shy away from Sonora as most of those sheep are high fenced and a lot are illegally obtained and transplanted. Most of the guys I know with Mexico DBS archery rams got it done in Baja.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I’ve hunted deserts in both NM and Sonora. There are probably 40-50 free range tags a year In Sonora. Who knows on HF, but there are still some exceptional LF sheep ranches down there.

 

[WVELK]

I’d be curious to hear more about your Dall hunt and your opinion on archery hunting them.

As for deserts, I’m no pro, but I did try with my bow when I drew a tag and I just ran out of time, so I turned to the rifle. But opening morning I almost got the job done on a 165” ram. I had him under 50 yards and just needed one more step. I then missed two other shots too, so it definitely can be done, and the unit I hunted was not very conducive to bow hunting with loud rocky ground and little vegetation. That same year, my friend archery shot what was the P&Y WR for a while. It’s definitely possible.

Again, I’m no expert, but if I were looking into an archery DBS hunt and based of what I’ve seen, I’d strongly consider Carmen Island. I’d probably shy away from Sonora as most of those sheep are high fenced and a lot are illegally obtained and transplanted. Most of the guys I know with Mexico DBS archery rams got it done in Baja.

As for my Dall the terrain was super steep and just not a good spot to try and bowhunt.