BOZEMAN, Mont. — The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) announced today that its Coming Home project has reached full funding thanks to a $109,000 commitment from Gunwerks and the Worldwide Trophy Adventures (WTA) Outdoor Guardian Fund.
The funds were raised during the 2026 Gunwerks Invitational, hosted on Sheep Mountain in Cody, Wyoming. The exclusive, invite-only event brought Gunwerks customers together for a premier shooting match and a dedicated conservation dinner, which featured a raffle of five international hunts and premium products generously donated by Gunwerks and friends.
The Coming Home project will return descendants of California bighorn sheep to British Columbia more than 70 years after animals from the province were translocated to Oregon in 1954 to help restore struggling populations there. Today, those restored Oregon herds are thriving and will now help rebuild California bighorn populations in their native range in Canada, completing one of North America's most significant conservation stories.
Over the next two years, approximately 100 wild California bighorn sheep will be captured in Oregon and translocated to the Gilpin Range in south-central British Columbia. The herd is expected to become an in-province source population for future restoration efforts throughout the species' historic range in British Columbia.
"The WTA Outdoor Guardian Fund was created as a pillar of Worldwide Trophy Adventures to invest in meaningful conservation projects both financially and educationally—helping fund critical work while sharing the stories that inspire hunters, conservationists, and future advocates," said Julie Lund, Conservation Manager for Worldwide Trophy Adventures.
"Supporting initiatives like Coming Home reflects exactly why the Guardian Fund exists. We're proud to partner with the Wild Sheep Foundation, alongside Gunwerks and the many donors helping make this project possible: restoring California bighorn sheep while ensuring these conservation successes are understood, supported, and sustained for generations."
The Gunwerks and WTA Outdoor Guardian Fund contribution completes the private funding needed for the project, joining support from the Wild Sheep Foundation, 20 WSF Chapters and Affiliates, two WSF member families, SITKA Gear, and the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund.
The restoration effort is being led by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, whose wildlife professionals are providing the expertise, personnel, and resources necessary to safely capture, transport, and establish the new herd.
"Coming Home is a legacy conservation project for the Wild Sheep Foundation and for California bighorn sheep," said Gray N. Thornton, president and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. "This project represents conservation coming full circle. The descendants of sheep that once left British Columbia to restore Oregon populations are now returning home to help rebuild the very herds from which they came. We're grateful to Gunwerks and the WTA Outdoor Guardian Fund for their leadership and investment in a project that will benefit wild sheep for generations."
"Gunwerks believes in supporting both our customers' passions and the future of wildlife conservation, and wild sheep are at the heart of that commitment," said Aaron Davidson, CEO of Gunwerks. "Partnering with the Wild Sheep Foundation on a project of this significance allows us to help restore an iconic species where it belongs. We are honored to be part of bringing California bighorn sheep home to British Columbia."
About the Wild Sheep Foundation
The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF), based in Bozeman, Montana, is a leading international conservation organization dedicated to wild sheep and their habitats. Founded in 1977 by sportsmen and conservationists, WSF has invested more than $156 million in conservation efforts worldwide.
Through initiatives focused on habitat enhancement, population restoration, scientific research, education, and advocacy, WSF works to fulfill its mission to “Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain®.” These efforts have helped restore North American bighorn sheep populations from historic lows of approximately 25,000 in the mid-20th century to more than 85,000 today.
WSF serves a global membership of more than 11,000 supporters and collaborates with partners across North America, Europe, and Asia to ensure a sustainable future for wild sheep. Learn more at www.wildsheepfoundation.org.
Image courtesy Brad Siemens
Tags: CA Bighorn Sheep, Press Release