Changes to Utah’s Bighorn Sheep Horn Plugging Program
For decades, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) has required and provided horn plugging for all legally harvested bighorn sheep in Utah. This process—attaching a permanent identification plug to each set of horns—has been an important tool for wildlife managers. It allowed for accurate tracking of harvested sheep, helped monitor herd health and population trends, and assisted in preventing illegal harvest or trafficking.
Beginning in 2023, the UDWR will no longer require or administer the horn plugging program. Recognizing the value that horn plugging provides to the hunting community, the Utah Wild Sheep Foundation (Utah WSF) has stepped in to ensure this service remains available.
Utah Wild Sheep Foundation’s Volunteer Horn Plugging Program
The Utah Wild Sheep Foundation is proud to offer a volunteer-based horn plugging program. This program will continue the tradition of documenting and protecting Utah’s bighorn sheep heritage, while also preserving the important data collection that benefits future management and conservation efforts.
If you have successfully harvested a bighorn sheep in Utah, you are encouraged to take advantage of this program. Our volunteers are committed to making the process simple and beneficial for all involved.
For questions or to arrange horn plugging, please contact:
📞 Hadli — (435) 840-0786 | ✉️ hadlisorenson@gmail.com
📞 Travis — (801) 641-5453 | ✉️ tjenson@xmission.com
Information on the program will be updated from time to time on our Horn Plugging Program Page.