Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) is in the Bovids family (Bovidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 16,542 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Bighorn Sheep: observations by month (U.S.)
About Bighorn Sheep
The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) is a species of sheep native to North America named for its large horns. These horns can weigh up to 14 kg (30 lb), while the sheep themselves weigh up to 140 kg (300 lb). Recent genetic testing indicates three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: O. c. sierrae. Sheep originally crossed to North America over the Bering land bridge from Siberia; the population in North America peaked in the millions,...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Bighorn Sheep by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 3,894 | July | Mar–Oct |
| California | 2,372 | February | Aug–May |
| South Dakota | 1,996 | July | May–Oct |
| Montana | 1,956 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Utah | 1,444 | July | Mar–Jan |
| Arizona | 1,271 | June | May–Apr |
| Wyoming | 1,261 | May | Jan–Sep |
| New Mexico | 651 | July | Mar–Nov |
| Washington | 489 | April | Mar–Feb |
| Nevada | 438 | May | Mar–Nov |
| Oregon | 314 | May | Feb–Nov |
| Idaho | 232 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Nebraska | 123 | November | Oct–Sep |
| North Dakota | 53 | October | May–Nov |
| Oklahoma | 25 | May | Mar–Jun |
| Texas | 23 | April | Dec–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Bovids)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Bighorn Sheep?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from February to November.
Where is Bighorn Sheep most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, California, South Dakota.