WY Area 5 Sheep Die-Off?

[Elkoholic307]

I've been hearing a rumor that there was a major bighorn sheep die-off in Wyoming's Area 5 last summer/fall.

I hope there isn't any truth to it. Has anyone else heard anything?

 

[Drelk]

I hope not. I know area 4 did the year before. I really really hope 5 is ok

 

[Elkoholic307]

Me too. My dad has 18 points but he's not sure what to put them toward now.

We called G&F and the lady who answered the phone said she hadn't heard anything about it.

On the other hand, my father-in-law helps out with sheep hunters nearly every year and he said they had a terrible hunt this past season. They usually fill out on the first day with a 160-170 ram but they hunted all season and ended up shooting a little one at the very end. I think it may have even been the last day.

 

[bighornram]

I was at the dec.Wy wild sheep meeting in Wheatland and we had a presentation from the G&F sheep biologist. The die off rumors stem from the increase in pick up heads brought to the G&F for pluging the last couple of years. The long term average is around 30. In 2011 it went up to 80+ and in 2012 was in the 50's. The wy wild sheep foundation funded monitoring flights by the G&F in i believe may of 12. The flights showed a ewe to lamb ratio of 35-40 per 100, and a ram - ewe ratio in the 50-60 per 100 range. These#' are from memory but you could call the sheep biologist in the unit for the exact #'s. They also reported a harvest % in 5 for 2013 season in the high 90's. (6% if my memory is correct. I have 18 points as a resident , lots of vacation time and knowledge of the unit from past hunts. I AM APPLYING! Go while you have the legs and the time ! You never know what next year will bring. One of my sheep hunting friends had a severe heart attack with no warnings last year. Go while you can.