Mexico Desert Bighorn Sheep Gear List

Justin Shaffer

This Mexico Desert Sheep hunt took place in February and the temperatures ranged from high 50’s in the mornings, to the upper 80’s during the peak of the afternoon sun. There was zero chance of precipitation anticipated in the forecast and the hunt was conducted in the cholla choked mountains that peaked out at around 5000 feet elevation.

Hunter in valo camouflage looks out into the distant desert while seated on a rocky ridgeline

This was a lodge-based hunt, so standard backpack mountain hunting camp gear items like a tent, sleeping bag, cook set were not needed. The area the sheep were in was accessed each morning by truck where it was roughly a 30-minute drive to our start points.

Hunter wearing valo camouflage skyline against the distant sky while looking through binoculars across the desert valley floor

This was obviously a warm-weather hunt, where gear was maximized to stay as cool and dry as possible while hiking and glassing once the mid-day temps soared. Additional layers were utilized to take the chill out of the cool morning air until the sun peeked over the horizon.

KUIU's Justin Shaffer seated with a Desert Bighorn Sheep ram harvested with archery equipment

This was my second successful trip to Mexico for sheep but my first archery Desert ram. He green scored 177 gross, with enormous 17”+ bases and horn lengths of 33” on both sides. I shot the ram at 22-yards as he was working his way into a water source.

I used a Hoyt Carbon RX-7 bow set at 70 pounds, shooting a 415 grain Victory RIP TKO arrow that was topped with a SEVR 1.5″ Titanium broadhead.

Listen in as Justin talks about his hunt and the gear he used.

KUIU · EP4: Justin Shaffer - Desert Hunting Gear

Justin Shaffer's desert bighorn sheep gear list items spread out on a floor for visibility

Below was my gear list used on this hunt.

TOPS

BOTTOMS

HEADWEAR AND GLOVES

IN MY PACK

OPTICS/GEAR

PRO G3 Bino Harness
PRO G3 Rangefinder Holder x2
Microfiber Lens Cloth x2
Swarovski 10x42 EL Range Binos
Swarovski 15x56 SLC Binos
Swarovski ATX 95 Spotting Scope
Outdoorsman’s Bino Adapter
Leica 1000R Rangefinder
Manfrotto 290 Xtra Carbon Tripod
Sirui VA-5 Microfluid Head
Garmin Inreach Mini
Iphone with Phone Scope Adapter

PERSONAL

First aid kit
Sunblock
Chapstick
Ear plugs
25 feet cord
Sunglasses

Side of Desert Big Horn Ram Eating Cactus

Desert Big Horn Ram with Bow Rested on Ram's Shoulder

Aerial View of Justin Shaffer's Desert Big Horn Ram Highlighting the Massive, Over 17" Bases

Front of Justin Shaffer posing with his Desert Big Horn Ram in Mexico

Justin Shaffer sitting on Rock in Mexico Glassing Desert Big Horn Sheep

Front of Justin Shaffer Hiking Up Loose Rocks in Mexico with Tripod and Binos on Shoulder

Rear, Angled View of Justin Shaffer in Valo Camouflage Looking Through Spotting Scope

Back of Justin Shaffer Wearing Valo Camouflage Glassing Game

Side of Justin Shaffer Wearing Valo Camouflage Glassing Game

Side of Justin Shaffer Wearing Valo Camouflage Glassing Desert Big Horn Sheep

Two Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep clash horns in a field.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunting Gear List

No sheep species in North America are more diverse for terrain and weather conditions than the Rocky Mountain Bighorn. From hot early season high alpine hunts to punishing cold late-season rut hunts, nothing will test you and your gear like the places OVIS Canadensis call home.