What's wrong with this Bighorn Ram?

[Tom Reichner]

I saw this ram at the winter feeding station near Naches.  I don't know what causes this, nor have I seen this condition in other sheep.  Any ideas as to what this condition is?

[bucklucky]

Uhhh....Horn Rot ?? 

[7mag.]

Boy, he does not look healthy at all. I'm just guessing, but, old age?

[luvtohnt]

I had seen that guy a couple of years ago #39, and thought someone had shot him. At least I know he is still alive. I always thought it was just broken but I am far from an expert on rams.

Brandon

[actionshooter]

Sure looks like he's in sad shape whatever it is

[bow4elk]

looks like physical damage or possibly a health deficiency that affects the hardness/make up of his horns.  Thus if they aren't of normal density and durability they would be subject to damage during all the rutting and head-butting festivities.  Just a thought 

[PolarBear]

Herpes simplex #10.

[shanevg]

... waiting for Pope... assuming he knows the answer! 

[Bookworm]

I know very little about sheep but is that what they call sinusitis? You read about it in some of the hunting mags.

[Pathfinder101]

radioactive eartag...

[jager]

Here's a very tiny pic of him that I took while on my sheep hunt. I even talked about him in my story....Pretty cool!

This photo was taken right after I shot my ram.
I took the larger rams twin.

I would be very curious to find out the cause!

I'm no expert on sheep disease but I would say most likely not sinusitis. You would see more evidence of other sheep being affected. It is fatal.
This would be a serious problem for the herd.
While living in Nevada I used to hear this diagnosis from hunters and other "experts"
In hindsight I think most were mis-diagnosed. The harsh desert conditions are very hard on the horns. Cracked... Chunks and complete sections of horn missing.
My 

[bowhunterforever]

Old age Someone must know?

[boneaddict]

Hes not old, so I would rule that out.  Other than getting his ass kicked, I thought he might be missing something nutritionally.  Thats what happens to your fingernails etc when you are missing something.     He's been around a couple years.

Speaking of disease, I saw hairloss in a hefer calf last night.  It was nasty looking. 

[DOUBLELUNG]

I'm going with nutritional or genetic deficiency weakening the horn.  I have seen a couple of old rams that died after their horn sheaths broke through and got an infection in the bony core.  Looks like he may have survived and compartmented off the cores - looks like they aren't getting any blood supply.  Just guessing.

[Dipsnort]

Close to Naches you say?  I'm going with "physical affliction related to heavy meth use".