THE RAM OF BLACK JOHN CANYON

     Hunting of the indigenous desert bighorns in Texas was officially outlawed in 1903.  Further protective measures were taken in 1945 with the establishment of the Sierra Diablo Wildlife Management Area.  In spite of these efforts, the last remaining native bighorns were gone by the early 60's.  Re-introduction efforts begun in 1954 have produced a population that today supports limited hunting opportunities.

     Desert bighorn sheep hunting in Texas was reinstated in 1988.  through the 2008 season 98 permits have been issued.  With these permits, 77 rams have been harvested, and significant funding generated for bighorn sheep management activities.  The opportunity to hunt these magnificent creatures will always be limited due to the amount of suitable habitat available and the resulting limits on population sizes.  Texas Parks and Wildlife is charged with juggling these limited opportunities into a program that adequately supports the management efforts required to insure that future generations can witness these desert monarchs in the mountains of West Texas!

If you are interested in hunting desert bighorns in Texas, there are four ways to obtain a permit.

1. Through a Texas Parks and Wildlife program called the "Texas Grand Slam", (TPWD) in which a chance to hunt desert bighorn, whitetail deer, mule deer, and antelope are raffled off through sales at authorized license dealers, by mail, or over the internet. This program has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for desert bighorn sheep management programs in Texas.
   
   
2. Through public hunting permits issued as populations will support it on public land in Texas. Review the Limited Entry Public Hunting Guide published yearly by Texas Parks and Wildlife to apply for these permits.
   
   
3. Through the Texas Bighorn Society or Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) auctions held at their annual conventions, and occasionally at other organizations critically involved with the program such as the Dallas Safari Club, Operation Game Thief, and the Parks and Wildlife Foundation of permits donated by the state.  Proceeds from the sale of these permits have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to bighorn sheep management efforts in Texas. The 2005 permit sold at the TBS Roundup was auctioned for $105,000.00, an all time high for Texas.
   
   
4. Through landowner permits issued to property owners with significant populations, and harvestable rams on their land.   These permits provide a return to landowners who maintain critical habitat in a state with very little public land, and who frequently must modify ranch management practices to accommodate the desert bighorn herds.   The shortage of suitable habitat on public land makes the support of these landowners critical to the ongoing success of bighorn sheep programs in Texas.  For more information on current landowner permits, contact us at  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

     Bighorn sheep management in Texas continues to be funded by hunters through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program, (The Pittman-Robertson Act which levies a tax on sporting firearms, ammunition, handguns, and archery equipment funds this program), the Texas Grand Slam Hunt Program and auctioned permits.

     The Texas Bighorn Society believes that hunter/conservationists are key to the conservation, management, and preservation of wildlife throughout the world.  We believe that regulated hunting is beneficial, and a viable recreational use of renewable wildlife resources.  We support harvesting as a necessary management tool in this regard and strongly advocate the right of state agencies such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, to determine wildlife management policies.  We believe that education is the key to preserving America's hunting heritage.  We also feel that every hunter has a moral obligation to behave ethically and responsibly.  The Texas Bighorn Society believes that the continued success of the desert bighorn sheep restoration program in Texas is closely related to hunting.  Without the support of hunters, it would be virtually impossible to continue to provide the monetary, physical, and political support needed to keep the sheep restoration project alive and healthy.

"GOOD HUNTING"