Bighorn Tag Lottery Raises Money for Research

The Idaho chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep this year has raised more than $104,852 for bighorn research in a lottery for one bighorn sheep tag. In cooperation with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the foundation sold tickets for the tag, released by Fish and Game. The foundation pays for the tag and hunting license from the money raised, the rest goes to bighorn and wildlife research. This year, Mike Carpinito of Kent, Wash., bought the winning ticket. "The Idaho bighorn sheep lottery tag is an excellent example of bighorn sheep hunters using their money to support wildlife conservation for everyone," Ray Lee, president and CEO of the national foundation. "The money raised from this tag goes to Idaho's Wildlife Health Lab to support their efforts to maintain healthy wildlife populations." Last year the lottery raised more than $68,000. Another tag will be auctioned at the foundation's annual convention. Money raised at the auction will go to improving sheep numbers and habitat in Idaho, particularly in Hells Canyon, which contains the largest area of ideal bighorn range in the continental United States.