Bighorn Sheep Introduced Into Lost River Range

Sixty-two bighorn sheep from Montana's famous Sun River herd left their transport trailers and climbed into the hills around Borah Peak over the weekend of January 8-9. Biologists of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game released the animals after working with local livestock owners, businesses, County Commissioners, and federal agencies. Mayor Otto Higbee of Mackay summed up the feelings of most local residents. "As mayor, I am in favor of the Mt. Borah transplant," Higbee said. "It should be an economic boost to the valley for the sportsmen and all those who come to the Big Lost Valley to take photos of wildlife." Bighorns were released onto historic winter range in two groups-one near Rock Springs on the Pahsimeroi side of the range on Saturday, and the second group released on Sunday near the mouth of Rock Creek north of Mackay Reservoir. Both groups of animals promptly climbed high into the range, stopping periodically to gaze back at the group of sportsmen assisting Fish and Game officials at the release site. "The department appreciates the efforts of everyone who helped make this release a success," Dale Toweill, state trophy species coordinator, said. "The national Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (FNAWS) played a critical role, as did the Idaho Chapter and its members." The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has been working with personnel of the Lost River Ranger District of the Forest Service, the Idaho Falls Bureau of Land Management, FNAWS, and the Dubois Sheep Experiment Station for almost a year to explore options to increase the number of bighorn sheep. Jerry Walters of Idaho FNAWS hiked the range and talked with local livestock owners last summer and fall, attempting to locate remaining bighorns. Some of the few bighorns remaining in the Lost River Range were captured in December by Fish and Game. The animals were examined to determine their health status by Dr. Mark Drew, a veterinarian for the Idaho Departments of Fish and Game and Agriculture. The opportunity to transplant bighorns into the Lost River Range occurred when the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks offered Idaho excess ewes from their Sun River herd. Bighorn sheep herds must be reduced in size periodically to keep them productive. If numbers get too high, the animals overpopulate their habitat, reducing the amount of food for all. "Montana's offer was incredibly generous" Toweill said. "The Sun River herd has a long history of producing healthy, productive bighorns. Rams from this herd have historically produced some of the largest horns ever recorded in North America." The bighorns were captured near Augusta, Montana. Helicopters flew over the animals, and nets were shot over the ewes selected for transplant. Each sheep was then brought to a central location where a team of veterinarians examined every animal, outfitted each with ear tags and a radio collar, and loaded it into the transport trailer. There were no bighorn deaths or significant injuries during the capture or release. All of the radio-equipped sheep will be tracked to monitor their survival and movements.