Post by: Bean Counter on January 02, 2015, 03:55:19 AM
http://www.gohunt.com/read/bighorn-numbers-across-6-states (http://www.gohunt.com/read/bighorn-numbers-across-6-states)
Quote
Bighorn sheep were once one of the most widespread wildlife species in the West, with populations estimated to be as high as two million or more. By the turn of the 20th century, settlers swept into the region, and over-harvesting, habitat loss, and disease transmission caused the sheep population to plummet to just thousands.
Conservation efforts — including the reduction in bighorn hunting licenses, transplant programs, the establishment of natural parks and wildlife refuges and reintroduction programs — have helped curb the bighorn’s rapid decline and even enabled the population to slightly rebound, but bighorns today still only occupy a fraction of their former range and their population stands at less than 10% of historic numbers...
Post by: stew pidasso on January 03, 2015, 08:34:57 AM
Post by: bobcat on January 03, 2015, 08:53:04 AM
Post by: Firedogg on January 03, 2015, 07:07:37 PM
When I drew my bighorn sheep tag I got a Jack O'Connor book on the subject. Jack says the main reason for the drastic decline in sheep numbers is that most of the prime habitat was, and probably still is, being overgrazed by cattle.
[/quote
:yeah:
Spend a day in 175 Lickcreek and you will definitely see the overgrazing.