Unit 45B (East Kofa Mountains)

Most of 45B's bighorn are in the Kofa Mountains part of the unit. Very few are south of Engesser Pass in the Tank Mountains — though large rams have been observed there, which is worth knowing if you want to gamble a day. The agency names four areas, all reached from the same road system.

High Tank 3, the White Dykes Dam area

Immediately northwest of Craven Well in the northeast of the unit. A good number of sheep use the high mesas around High Tank 3 — look along the rims and on top of the mesas. Take the Hovatter Road south from Interstate 10 to the El Paso natural gas line, then east onto the refuge to intersection 14, then south to Craven Well.

Red Rock Pass to the Sheep Tank Mine

Glass the highest ground just east of Red Rock Pass and the long ridges running down to the Sheep Tank Mine; good numbers of sheep use the high peaks right around the mine. West of Red Rock Pass there are large mesas that also hold sheep. Same route in: Hovatter Road to the gas line, east to intersection 14, south past Craven Well to Red Rock Pass.

Hoodoo Well to the Moonshine and Yaqui Tanks

Southwest of Hoodoo Well a large block of mountains runs south to Moonshine Wash and then west to the Yaqui Tanks area, with sheep throughout. Just west of Yaqui Tanks is Kofa Butte, and an occasional ram holds south of the butte along the high ground above Charlie Died Tank to the Manganese Mine just south of the Moonshine Wash entrance. Reach Hoodoo Well either by continuing south through Red Rock Pass, or by taking the Hovatter Road directly to Hovatter Camp and then west.

Polaris Mountain

Bighorn can be found all around this large feature. It's the fourth of the agency's named areas and worth including in any scouting rotation.

The refuge rules that shape everything

All of 45B lies within the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, and much of it is wilderness with special regulations. Vehicle use is limited to existing designated roads and must stay within 100 feet of them. For complete refuge regulations contact the Refuge Manager, Kofa NWR, 9300 E. 28th Street, Yuma AZ 85366-6290, on 928-783-7861.

Hunters had 100 percent success here from 2005 to 2010 and the ten-year average ram score is 155, with wide variation in both age and score. You will probably get an opportunity; the question is what you choose to take.

Work the four named areas in rotation

High Tank 3, Red Rock Pass to Sheep Tank Mine, Hoodoo Well to Moonshine and Yaqui Tanks, and Polaris Mountain all come off the same Hovatter Road and gas-line route, which makes a rotation practical. Give each one a full morning before you judge it.

Glass rims and mesa tops

This is the specific instruction for this unit. Around High Tank 3, look along the rims and on top of the mesas rather than into the canyons. Sheep here use high flat ground and the edges of it, which is a different search image from the cliff-band glassing most desert sheep hunting asks for.

Keep the vehicle legal

Existing designated roads only, and within 100 feet of them. That rules out the usual desert habit of easing off into a wash to get a better angle. Park legally and walk — and remember there's no off-road retrieval on this refuge either.

Decide about Engesser Pass

Very few sheep live south of Engesser Pass in the Tank Mountains, but large rams have been observed there. If you're hunting for a specific class of animal and the Kofa portion isn't producing it, that's a considered gamble rather than a waste of a day.

Set your standard, and know the variation

Ram age and score here vary widely and the ten-year average is 155. Decide before the hunt whether you want a mature ram or a ram, and hold to it. A tripod-mounted spotter and a second set of eyes is what makes that judgement possible at distance.

Call the refuge first

Get the complete refuge regulations from the Kofa manager before you go, and ask about the current status of the wildlife waters. In this country, which waters are functioning is the most useful local knowledge available.