Sheep herders in the state fear that a plan to conserve bighorn sheep in Montana could lead public agencies to kick their flocks off public land that’s vital to their livelihoods.

But groups already fighting to get domestic sheep off public land complain that the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Park’s first-ever bighorn sheep conservation strategy keeps woolgrowers in the drivers’ seat when it comes to determining where bighorn sheep can and can’t roam.

Montana has never produced a comprehensive plan for bighorn sheep management. While FWP officials say the plan won’t change how bighorns are managed, they said it will bring consistency to how the big game animal is handled.

The plan recommends that bighorns not be transplanted within 13 miles of grazing allotments and that changes to existing allotments are agreed upon by ranchers and wildlife agencies.

There are now 45 populations of bighorns across Montana with 36 sustaining limited hunting. Officials estimate that 5,700 bighorn sheep inhabit Montana, excluding Yellowstone and Glacier national parks.

“The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of the Wild Sheep Foundation”