Alkaline water is not suitable. Desert bighorn sheep primarily utilize ephemeral water sources. They may drink every day if water is nearby, but may go without water for up to 14 days in the dry season. Escape terrain is an important habitat requirement for bighorn sheep. Cliffs, rock rims, rock outcroppings, and bluffs with sparse cover of trees or shrubs typify escape habitat, which provides both thermal and hiding cover.
Visibility is another important habitat component for bighorn sheep.
Bighorn sheep tend to forage in open areas with low vegetation such as grasslands, shrublands, or mixes of these. They prefer green forage and move up- or downslope or to different aspects for more palatable forage. The number of bighorn sheep taken by predators is usually of little consequence to healthy populations. Bighorn sheep are hunted by humans. In the last few years most states and provinces have adopted more stringent horn curl regulations.