Unit 44BS (New Water Mountains)
Arizona Hunting Guide — Desert Bighorn Sheep
44BS is the southern bighorn hunt area of GMU 44B — the New Water Mountains south of Interstate 10 in La Paz County, where a large part of the sheep habitat sits inside the New Water Mountain Wilderness and keeps vehicles out. The population has shown an increasing trend and harvested rams have scored in the mid to low 160s. The hunt area also takes in the portions of units 45A and 45B on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge north of the El Paso gas line, which is a lot more country than the unit name suggests and brings refuge regulations with it. Access comes off Vicksburg Road, I-10 at the New Water Mountain road, Ramsey Mine Road at Brenda, Gold Nugget at exit 26, and Highway 95 through the BLM Long Term Visitor Areas.
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Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 44BS
44BS is the southern bighorn hunt area of GMU 44B — the New Water Mountains south of Interstate 10 in La Paz County, where a large part of the sheep habitat sits inside the New Water Mountain Wilderness and keeps vehicles out. The population has shown an increasing trend and harvested rams have scored in the mid to low 160s. The hunt area also takes in the portions of units 45A and 45B on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge north of the El Paso gas line, which is a lot more country than the unit name suggests and brings refuge regulations with it. Access comes off Vicksburg Road, I-10 at the New Water Mountain road, Ramsey Mine Road at Brenda, Gold Nugget at exit 26, and Highway 95 through the BLM Long Term Visitor Areas.
Where the rams are in 44B South: the New Water Mountains and the Kofa ground
The south subunit's population has been trending up, with harvested rams scoring in the mid to low 160s. Surveys run about every three years.
The New Water Mountains, mostly wilderness
A large portion of the sheep habitat in this subunit sits inside the New Water Mountain Wilderness, which limits the use of motorized vehicles. That's the defining feature of the hunt — and the reason the ground still holds rams. The New Water Mountains reach 2,763 feet with Twin Peaks at 2,728 and Haystack Peak at 2,670.
The part of this tag people miss
Read this twice: the 44B south sheep hunt also includes those portions of units 45A and 45B on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge north of the El Paso gas line. That's a substantial block of additional country, and refuge regulations apply on it — call the Kofa refuge for current rules before you plan on hunting there.
Access points
Vicksburg Road. Interstate 10 at the New Water Mountain road. Ramsey Mine Road off Highway 60 at Brenda. Gold Nugget at exit 26. And Highway 95 through the BLM Long Term Visitor Areas south of Quartzsite. Avenue 42 East, La Posa Road, Pipeline Road and Plomosa Road are the graded gravel you'll drive to reach them.
The low ground
Gunsight Notch at 1,806 feet, Plomosa Pass at 1,659, the Ranegras Plain at 1,167 and the La Posa Plain at 1,125. Sheep crossing between the New Waters and the surrounding hills use this low country, and it's glassable from the access roads.
Water in a unit with almost none
Twenty-nine tanks and three springs across 637 square miles. In the New Waters the developed sheep waters and the natural tinajas organise the herd. Locate them before you leave home and plan glassing positions that cover them at first and last light.
Unit 44BS terrain and land status
Measured from the unit boundary, not from the agency write-up
Named features inside the unit
Glass from: Black Mesa (3,640 ft), Ibex Peak (2,775 ft), New Water Mountains (2,763 ft), Twin Peaks (2,728 ft)
Holding ground: Gunsight Notch (1,806 ft), Plomosa Pass (1,659 ft), Ranegras Plain (1,167 ft)
Every one of these was tested against the unit polygon before it went on the map. They are starting points, not agency recommendations.
How to hunt 44B South: walk into the wilderness, and decide about the Kofa ground
Desert Bighorn Sheep Success Rates
Desert Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds
Draw odds data not available for this specific unit/species combination in our database.
Search Arizona Draw OddsUnit 44BS is part of Arizona's weighted-random bonus-point draw for desert bighorn. Tag allocations are extremely limited — plan to build points for many years before drawing. This is a once-in-a-lifetime tag for Arizona residents. Apply every single year without exception to accumulate the loyalty application bonus and bonus points.
Unit Logistics & Expectations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Unit 44BS safe for hunting given its proximity to the border?
What is the difference between Unit 44BN and 44BS for bighorn sheep?
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Upgrade to Pro — $49/yrSources & Verification
Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.
- AZGFD Desert Bighorn Sheep Management — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 44BS bighorn population, Southern Baboquivari range management, Tag allocation basis · accessed 2026-04-18
- AZGFD Big Game Hunting Regulations 2026 — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Season dates, Tag quotas, Hunt area legal description · accessed 2026-04-18
- AZGFD Draw Portal — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Draw statistics, Bonus point system · accessed 2026-04-18