On the Lookout for Bighorn Sheep By Neal Darby Two major projects concerning Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep were completed this past field season. The first project consisted of classification counts to determine herd composition and lamb survival. This season, for the first time since the park was established, we conducted the second year of two consecutive years of classification counts. We learned that the lone lamb from last year survived and is now a yearling ram. Overall nine bighorn sheep were seen this year: three lambs, three ewes, a yearling ram, a two-year-old ram, and a mature ram with green eartags. This mature ram is at least 13 years old. Classification counts will continue next year with more of an emphasis on seasonal use areas such as lambing grounds. The second project consisted of determining the extent of bighorn sheep habitat on the south Snake Range. This was done using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) modeling. We learned that the amount of overall suitable habitat is adequate for supporting a viable population of bighorn sheep. The problem is that dense forest cover fragments it, so instead of several large patches of habitat, which is preferable, we have many small patches. The dense forest between these patches of habitat could possibly create movement barriers. However, we know that bighorn sheep move throughout the Snake Range including between Mount Moriah and Wheeler Peak, so it is assumed that no major barriers exist but some patches of habitat may not be available because the bighorns cannot find them. A second problem found through the bighorn habitat GIS modeling was inadequate lambing area, due to a lack of available open water sources. Better information will be obtained when inaccurate water and vegetation cover maps are corrected. Based on the findings of the bighorn habitat GIS modeling, areas of forest cover were identified that: 1) connect habitat patches or surround large habitat patches; and, 2) meet all other model criteria for lambing habitat. These areas of forest cover can now be incorporated into various planning documents that could enhance bighorn habitat. For example, these areas would be incorporated into a fire management plan as priority areas for actions such as prescribed fire, prescribed natural fire or mechanical fuels reduction. Such actions would open up the forest canopy making it more suitable for use by bighorn sheep. Midden Table of Contents