Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) live throughout Gold Butte, but must remain fairly close to water (e.g., Lake Mead, mountain springs). Look for Bighorns on ridgelines and near rocky cliffs where they feel safe from predators.

Desert Bighorn Sheep are large sheep of desert mountains with a tan coat and white rump. Adult males are recognized by their large, curled horns. Females and young males have shorter, straighter horns. Adult males weigh about 140–180 pounds, while females are somewhat smaller at about 90–150 pounds. Bighorn stand about 2-½ to 3-¼ feet at the shoulder.

Bighorn Sheep primarily are browsers, eating grasses and forbs in season, and otherwise eating shrubs. Bighorn must drink every few days.

Male Bighorn Sheep compete for females by bashing heads, and the winners gather with females to breed in the fall. Males leave the females and young to form separate bachelor herds during summer.

Licensed hunting in Gold Butte is legal. Every year, two tags are let, and hunters almost always fill the quota.

Link to more information on Bighorn Sheep.