Recent aerial surveys by Fish and Game staff in the Middle Fork Salmon River showed promising results for the area’s bighorn sheep population. Conducted in Hunt Areas 20A, 26, 27-1, 27-2, 27-3, and 27-4, this year’s survey showed an increase in bighorn numbers compared with the last survey flown in 2017.
F&G biologists complete Middle Fork Salmon River bighorn sheep survey
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Biologists counted a total of 1,123 bighorns. This included 578 ewes, 198 lambs, and 347 rams; 163 of those were classified as mature Class III and IV individuals.
Lamb:ewe ratios (an indicator of recruitment) were also promising at 34 lambs:100 ewes.
Notably, the Middle Fork bighorn population experienced a major die-off in the early 1990s, and this population has been believed to be disease-limited with chronically low lamb:ewe ratios since that time.
While the results of the 2024 survey are encouraging, it’s worth mentioning that the survey methods differed from those in previous years (including 2017), which were flown in conjunction with those for deer and elk. The 2024 effort was a sheep specific survey, providing a focused assessment of the Middle Fork bighorn sheep population.
Wildlife managers will consider this data as they gear up for the season setting cycle this fall and winter.
