REGIONAL OFFICES

 
Citizen Science Opportunity to help
the Whiskey Mountain Bighorn Sheep 

 

Dubois Invasive Species Watch is a Citizen Science Project to help land managers identify the extent of invasive species in the area surrounding Whiskey Basin Wildlife Habitat Management Area where many species including bighorn sheep spend their winter. The project is set up through the app iNaturalist, and anyone can register and help. See the training video below as well as the instuctions here, both have sign up details and can help you get going. 

Bighorn sheep are a community-wide iconic wildlife species that depends heavily on intact winter range and migration corridors. Rapidly responding to invasive species infestations will help maintain habitat for this and other wildlife species in the area.

"We know community members are out in these areas everyday and utilizing as many eyes on the ground as we can will help us be able to quickly respond to these invasive species and maintain as much healthy habitat as possible. It is invaluable for us to have citizens help on this."

This effort is in partnership with the National Bighorn Sheep Center and is a result of the recent collabortaion focused on management concerns and opportunities in the Whiskey Mountain Bighorn Sheep herd. Training video below:

 

2019 Public Process

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department in partnership with the Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation, the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center, and the University of Wyoming’s Ruckleshaus Institute recently completed a public engagement process exploring management concerns, issues, and opportunities for the Whiskey Mountain Bighorn Sheep Herd.

This herd has struggled to recover from a catastrophic all-age die-off caused by pneumonia in 1991 causing an estimated 30% decline in the number of sheep.  The herd continues to stay below the desired population size primarily because lamb survival is very low likely due to the persistence of lamb pneumonia.  At one time, there were an estimated 2,500 sheep in this population; today there are about 750.

A situation assessment was completed, a panel of experts were brought in from around the country, and multiple public workshops were held to chart a path forward for this iconic bighorn sheep herd. Find the Final Plan and other documentation from the process below:

 

Whiskey Mountain Bighorn Sheep Plan (Final version)
Draft Plan Powerpoint Presentation
Panel of Scientists Recommendations

Issues Identified During Workshop 1 from the Small Groups
Whiskey Mountain Bighorn Sheep Herd Situation Assesment
Process Matrix
Workshop Flyer/Poster







 
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