California bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana) are a subspecies of thinhorn sheep native to western North America. Rams weigh about 180–220 pounds (81–100 kg) and sport heavy, flaring horns; the horns and skull of a mature ram can weigh almost 30 pounds on their own. These sheep inhabit rolling grasslands interspersed with sagebrush and rocky escape terrain in British Columbia, where they feed on grasses and browse and use steep outcrops to evade predators. Their classic horn configuration and challenging mountain habitat make them one of the most desirable trophies for North American hunters.
Hunts for California bighorn sheep in British Columbia are conducted from a basecamp lodge during a 10‑day season in late September and October. Guides employ a mix of 4×4 vehicles, ATVs, horseback and foot travel to glass hillsides and basins for rams. Once a mature ram is located, hunters stalk carefully across open slopes and sagebrush flats, often crawling to avoid detection. Success depends on fitness, patience and an ability to shoot accurately at varied angles and ranges across rugged terrain.
California bighorn sheep populations once declined to about 1,200 animals in British Columbia due to habitat loss, overhunting and diseases transmitted by domestic sheep. Conservation efforts, including habitat protection, predator control and sustainable harvests, have helped numbers rebound to nearly 5,000 animals. Permits for trophy rams are strictly limited and issued through a controlled draw; hunting revenues support ongoing research and management. Because rams tend to “broom” or wear down their horn tips, horn length is judged by curl and mass rather than length alone.
California bighorn sheep are slightly smaller and have more flaring horns than their Rocky Mountain relatives. Rams live in bachelor groups outside the rut, while ewes and lambs form nursery bands. During the rut, rams clash horns in spectacular head‑butting battles to establish dominance. The success of bighorn recovery in British Columbia underscores the importance of science‑based hunting quotas and collaboration between outfitters and wildlife agencies.
California Bighorn Sheep can be found in the following location:
California Bighorn Sheep has the following variations:
- (Varieties to be confirmed)
