Bighorn sheep herd at risk

SANDERS COUNTY – A low number of bighorn sheep and concerns about the health of the hunting district’s herd has prompted an emergency closure of bighorn sheep Hunting District 122 near Plains.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Wildlife Biologist Bruce Sterling conducted a population survey via helicopter in early April and counted only 18 bighorns in the aforementioned hunting district.

Sterling noted in the 2014 helicopter survey 36-37 bighorns had been spotted.

According to an FWP press release, 112 bighorns were documented in 2012.  

Though unsure of the exact cause of the herd’s dropping numbers Sterling noted it was clear something was impacting the bighorn sheep.

“We definitely know something is going on,” Sterling said.

Hunting District 122 is located in the cutoff area near Montana Highway 135, the route to St. Regis.

The FWP Wildlife Commission met on Monday, April 20 and unanimously agreed to close the district.

“Now that the season is closed we hopefully can document what caused the mortality and get viable samples to make an accurate determination,” Sterling said.

A potential cause of the die off among bighorns is a form of pneumonia.

Domestic sheep have built up immunity to the disease but it takes quite a toll on the bighorns that sometimes come in contact with the domestic animals.

According to Sterling, the disease can be transferred through nose-to-nose contact but he added new research from Washington State University indicates the disease could be transferred through the air at up to 30 feet.  

In March, the FWP wildlife commission met and closed bighorn sheep Hunting District 305, near Gardiner in response to a confirmed pneumonia die-off, which killed 34 sheep.

According to FWP, hunters who applied for the 2015 hunting season in District 122 will be offered the chance to request a different district or elect to receive a refund on their application.