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TRI-STATE TRIUMPH: WSF Supports Massive Bighorn Conservation Project In Washington, Oregon and Idaho


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THE TRI-STATE REGION OF WASHINGTON, OREGON, AND IDAHO HAS A RICH HISTORY OF PRODUCING MASSIVE BIGHORN RAMS. BUT ONE DOESN’T HAVE TO DIG FAR BACK IN THE RECORDS TO SEE INCREDIBLE SPECIMENS.

Officials and volunteers captured more than 350 bighorns and released them after biological samples for testing and collaring efforts were completed.


In 2021, Gary Guerrieri took the new Washington State record 202 4/8 B&C monster in Asotin County. Mike Kinney took the newly certified world record 191 5/8 California bighorn (SCI) in 2022 in John Day Canyon.

Under the banner of the Tri-State Project, these states have made deep commitments to sheep conservation that is yielding results, and the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) has aided their efforts with a Grant-In-Aid commitment.

“The Wild Sheep Foundation committed $177,000 in FY 2022-23 toward this Tri-State project, with Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Outdoor Fund ($30,000), the Pope & Young Club ($20,000), and the Creag Foundation ($2,500) contributing approximately 30 percent of this $177,000 total,” said WSF Vice President of Conservation Kevin Hurley.

The aim is to improve the health of bighorn sheep populations through a collaborative project among the three states, two tribes, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and NGOs.  

Ongoing research explores underlying factors that may affect Movi persistence/management and post-die-off efforts to restore bighorn numbers following outbreaks.

“Test and remove has proven a valuable tool in restoring health to bighorn sheep herds. At the beginning of this work years ago, there were areas with 15-20 percent lamb survival, and now they’re up in the 60 to 70 percent range. Focusing on the disease issue is a big part of that,” said Glen Landrus, WSF Board Chair and Past President of Washington WSF.


Between September 2022 and March 2023, officials captured more than 350 bighorns and sampled/collared, then released them on-site at more than a dozen capture locations spread across the three states, using a combination of ground darting, drop net, and helicopter net-gun. 

“This is a big effort, and WSF’s Grant-In-Aid funding has allowed us to move forward with work that will help strengthen our bighorn populations and eventually allow more hunters to get tags to realize their dream of hunting a bighorn,” Landrus said.

Bill London of the Idaho WSF echoed his sentiments and said the long-term cooperation and research is painting a clearer picture of what needs to happen to move forward for the sake of sheep and sheep hunters.
 

With bighorns, there are always unknowns, but we are beginning to see some effective ways to deal with disease and other issues we’re facing collectively and individually among the states.”

The record rams taken in recent years show much potential but struggles still exist.

The objective moving forward is to improve herd health at Lookout Mountain, Oregon; Lower Salmon River, Idaho; Lostine, Oregon; and Yakima Canyon, Washington. 

At the same time, these actions will protect healthy populations in the Hells Canyon area from the spread of Movi from bighorn sheep in currently infected populations.

WSF is committed to impacting Washington, Oregon, and Idaho for the future of bighorn sheep and hunters who dream of pursuing them.
 

C&A Partners: Idaho WSF, Oregon WSF, Washington WSF 

Funding Partners: Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Pope and Young Club, Creag Foundation
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