First of two Idaho bighorn sheep tags available in January

Hunters interested in bidding for the ultimate bighorn sheep hunt can attend the Wild Sheep Foundation Banquet and Auction in Reno from January 21-23, or bid online beginning January 23 at 7 p.m. PST. Online bids will be taken at http://www.onlinehuntingauctions.com/IDAHO-BIGHORN-SHEEP-PERMIT_i238908…. This year's auction tag is valid for use in all open bighorn sheep hunt areas throughout Idaho, except Hunt Area 11 of Hells Canyon. Idaho will also offer one bighorn lottery tag to be drawn in late July 2016. The lottery tag is valid in all open bighorn sheep hunt areas, including Hunt Area 11 in Hells Canyon, which is nationally known for producing world-class rams. Idaho Wild Sheep handles the raffle, and tickets are on sale now. More information and raffle application can be found at http://www.idahowildsheep.org. There is no limit to the number of tickets purchased per individual. Applications are also available on page 26 of the Idaho 2015 and 2016 Moose, Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat Seasons and Rules booklet. For a closer look at Idaho's bighorn sheep and restoration work, go to https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/video-sheep-conservation. Since releasing the first auction tag in 1988, Idaho Fish and Game has received $1.8 million for bighorn research, a field of research in which Idaho has been a leader. The lottery tag, first released in 1992, has raised over $1.1 million to support solving problems between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep, and funding research to speed recovery of bighorn sheep populations limited by pneumonia. No more than 5 percent of the money raised by the auction and no more than 25 percent raised by the lottery is retained by groups offering the lottery and auction tags. Idaho is home to both Rocky Mountain and California bighorn sheep herds. For information about the Idaho Bighorn Sheep Permit, contact the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at 208-334-3700, or contact Wildlife Staff Biologist, Hollie Miyasaki at 208-535-8016.