The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), in partnership with the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society (ADBSS), just concluded a raffle for the Arizona Game & Fish Department (AZGFD). The result was a new record set for an Arizona sheep tag raffle.

Through the generosity and commitment to wild sheep conservation, $357,900 was raised for the chance to be drawn for an Arizona Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep tag.

To hunt for wild sheep in the Lower 48 states, one must apply and get drawn in annual state draws, be the successful bidder for a special Conservation Permit at auction or win a permit in a state-sanctioned lottery or raffle.

“Whether it’s a state draw, auction tag, raffle, or lottery, taking the special opportunity to hunt a limited resource and turning it into a funding program to grow this resource is a unique model that has proven its worth,” commented WSF President and CEO, Gray N. Thornton. “Arizona is just one example where, based on population growth, there were 156 sheep tags issued in 2024 compared to only 44 back in 1984.”

Every dollar raised from this tag was directed to the Arizona Game & Fish Department’s Habitat Partnership Committee for their continued stewardship of the state’s wild sheep resources.

“The Wild Sheep Foundation was honored to be able to promote an opportunity open to everyone who could legally participate, and at the same time help the Arizona Game & Fish Department raise the most money possible for the state’s wild sheep populations,” Thornton added. “We can only hope that in the future more states will allow their residents to participate in an online raffle when it benefits wildlife conservation.”

Since 1983, WSF has raised and directed over $8.9 million to Arizona through the marketing and auctioning of the state’s Conservation Permits for bighorn and desert bighorn sheep conservation. This is the first tag the Foundation has raffled for the AZGFD.

These funds have been used for water development projects, habitat improvements, herd health surveillance, and translocations to augment existing populations or establish new ones in suitable habitats.

The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), based in Bozeman, Mont., was founded in 1977 by sportsmen and other wild sheep conservationists. WSF is the premier advocate for wild sheep, having raised and expended more than $145 million, positively impacting these species through population and habitat enhancements, research and education, and conservation advocacy programs in North America, Europe, and Asia to “Put and Keep Wild Sheep On the Mountain”®. In North America, these and other efforts have increased bighorn sheep populations from historic lows in the 1950s-60s of 25,000 to more than 85,000 today. WSF has a membership of more than 11,000 worldwide. www.wildsheepfoundation.org