bighorn sheep surveys of know winter ranges · 2017-06-13 · the bighorn sheep survey was flown at...

Bighorn Sheep Survey of Known Winter Ranges

in the Canmore area of the Southern Rockies Area, 2008

by

Jon T. Jorgenson Senior Wildlife Biologist

Canmore

and

Michael Jokinen Biologist

Alberta Conservation Association Blairmore

May 20, 2008

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Fish and Wildlife Division

Canmore

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PERMISSION TO QUOTE

This report contains preliminary surveys results and interpretations that may be subject to

future revisions. To prevent the issuance of misleading information, persons must first obtain

permission from the Area Manager of the Southern Rockies Area or the Director of the Wildlife

before quoting from this report, citing in bibliographies or using it in any other possible form.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank P. Young, and J. Wieliczko for assistance as observers

during the 2008 survey. Alpine Helicopters provided the pilots and aircraft for the survey

period.

ABSTRACT

A bighorn sheep survey was conducted on January 20, 21, 23, and 24, 2008 on 14 of 22

known winter ranges within Wildlife Management Units (WMU’s) 404, 406, 408, 410, and 648

(Peter Lougheed Provincial Park). Weather conditions were excellent with fresh snow, clear

skies and calm winds. A total of 15 hours of helicopter time including deadheading time was

used. Elk surveys were conducted at the same time because many sheep wintering areas are

found near elk wintering habitats. A total of 824 sheep were observed, consisting of 430 ewes,

147 lambs, 43-1/4 curl rams, 53-1/2 curl rams, 94-3/4 curl rams, 37-4/5+ curl rams, and 20

unclassified sheep. Total sheep numbers appear comparable to previous surveys when similar

areas were able to be covered and considering that winter ranges north of the Bow River were

not surveyed in 2008, the 2008 count was at the high end. Lamb: ewe ratios were at the low end

of the range (31%) relative to the long-term average but they were not alarmingly low.

Considerable variation was found when counts were compared within WMU’s over time. Both

WMU 404 and 406 are up slightly in total numbers while WMU 408 is lower than earlier

surveys. Downward trends in total count were evident for the Three Sisters-Wind Ridge and

Sheep river winter ranges. Sheep numbers in WMU 410 were the highest observed, however,

caution is advised in interpretation due to the possibility of duplicate counts during the ground

surveys conducted along Highway 1A.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1

STUDY AREA AND METHODS ................................................................................................. 1

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION..................................................................................................... 5

LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Total count, age/sex composition of bighorn sheep observed during aerial surveys,

1973-2008 ....................................................................................................................................... 7

Table 2. Results by WMU from aerial surveys of bighorn sheep winter ranges, 1973-2008........ 8

Table 3. Lamb/ewe ratios observed in each of the major WMU’s, 1973-2008............................. 9

Table 4. Counts of sheep observed in each of the sub-units where non-trophy sheep permits are

allocated, 1973-2008..................................................................................................................... 10

Table 5. Summaries of sheep observed by winter range and WMU during aerial and/or ground

surveys, 1973-2008....................................................................................................................... 11

Table 6. Highway 1A (WMU 410) bighorn sheep observations ................................................. 20

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Sheep winter ranges in vicinity of the Ghost Wilderness Area...................................... 2

Figure 2. Sheep winter ranges within the Kananaskis valley area................................................. 3

Figure 3. Sheep winter ranges in vicinity of the Highwood and Plateau Mountain areas............. 4

LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix 1. WMU observation checkpoints and group composition data for 2008................... 21

Appendix 2. Bighorn sheep observation locations during the 2008 winter aerial survey ........... 23

1

INTRODUCTION

In 1973, a systematic winter aerial survey for bighorn sheep was initiated in the Canmore

area of southwest Alberta. Since this time, repeated surveys have been conducted over the same

areas in order to monitor the spatial distribution, post-hunt herd composition and to monitor

trends in the number of bighorn sheep at the population level, in each of the Wildlife

Managements Units (WMU) and at the winter range scale. The acquired information is used to

support wildlife management recommendations related to land-use decisions and hunting

regimes.

STUDY AREA AND METHODS

The study area encompasses the eastern slopes of southern Alberta from the Ghost River

Wilderness Area in the north to Plateau Mountain at the southern boundary of Kananaskis

Country. There are 22 sheep winter ranges identified within this area and it is these winter ranges

that are surveyed (Figures 1, 2, and 3).

Figure 1. Sheep winter ranges in vicinity of the Ghost Wilderness Area

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Figure 2. Sheep winter ranges within the Kananaskis valley area

3

Figure 3. Sheep winter ranges in vicinity of the Highwood and Plateau Mountain areas

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Winter ranges are represented in all 8 WMU’s: 404, 406, 648 (Peter Lougheed Provincial

Park), 408, 410, 412, 414 and 734 (Ghost Wilderness Area). Most of the winter ranges in WMU

410 are no longer surveyed due to the difficulty of finding sheep on a reliable basis. These areas

instead are surveyed in the spring from the ground along Highway 1A where these sheep

congregate during winter and spring. These ground survey counts are included in this report.

The Sheep River herd in WMU 406 is also a winter range that is not always aerial surveyed.

This herd has been intensively studied for several years using marked animals. The Sheep River

herd’s status is closely known and there is no need to survey it from the air. All ground counts

of marked sheep are incorporated in this report.

A Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter was used for these surveys employing a navigator/observer

in the front and two observers in the back. The pilot was also participating to the survey as an

observer. Sheep sightings were logged on a 1:250 000 topographic scale map and a hand held

Garmin GPS unit was utilized to record UTM coordinates of each observation location point.

Graphics listing all observation points within the surveyed areas were created in ArcGIS 9.2

(Appendix 1). Fresh tracks were easily observed, eliminating the need to search every valley

and, consequently, reducing exploring time. Each winter range was flown slightly above tree

line and at higher elevations covering mountain ridges and cliffs. Canon Image Stabilizer

binoculars were employed to aid the classification of sheep into one the following cohorts: ewes,

lambs and rams at 1/4 curl, 1/2 curl, 3/4 curl, and 4/5 curl (trophy). Yearling ewes and rams are

hard to differentiate from the air and generally are grouped with the ewe cohort. Additional

sheep are occasionally found outside traditional winter range boundaries. Thus, they were not

included in the totals of conventional winter range. All pertinent data was recorded onto survey

sheets and was later condensed into table format (Appendix 2). This survey was also done in

conjunction with the Canmore/Calgary area elk survey, hence observations of elk were also

recorded in addition to incidental mountain goats observations.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The bighorn sheep survey was flown at the same time as the elk survey, therefore sheep

observations were scattered over a span of several days, ensuring all sheep and elk winter ranges

were surveyed. Aerial observations for sheep were conducted on January 20, 21, 23, and 24th,

2008. Total flight hours used to cover the sheep winter ranges was approximately 15 hours

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including deadheading back and forth from fuel caches and pick-up points. During these

surveys, flying and observing conditions were good to excellent with sunshine, calm winds and

mostly recent snowfall. We were unable to survey winter ranges north of the Bow River, due to a

loss of snow cover and resultant poor surveying conditions. Appropriate survey conditions did

not occur for the rest of the surveying season, therefore WMU’s 412, 414, and 734 (Ghost

Wilderness Area) were not surveyed in 2008.

A total of 824 bighorn sheep were observed during 2008 (Table 1). Comparisons with other

survey years are difficult because it has been difficult to complete the surveys for all winter

ranges during each survey attempt. Loss of snow cover before the entire survey can be completed

has been a common problem in recent years. Considering that the 2008 survey did not include

any winter ranges north of the Bow River, the count of 824 is at the high end of the range for

counts from previous years and is indicative of a fairly stable population compared with counts

from the early 1970’s.

Over 99% of the sheep observed in 2008 could be classified for a total group composition

that consisted of 28% rams, 54% ewes, and 18% lambs (Table 1). The percentage of trophy rams

in the population was 5% which is consistent with previous surveys. The lambs/100 ewe ratio

was 34, at the low end of the range of values from previous surveys but within the expected

range of values for a stable population.

Table 1. Total count, age/sex composition of bighorn sheep observed during aerial surveys, 1973-2008

Year of Total Sheep No. of Classified No. of No. of No. of No. of Rams/ Lambs/Survey Observed (exclude Sheep Rams (%) Trophy Ewes (%) Lambs (%) 100 ewes 100 ewes (a)

Ghost W.A.) (unclassified) Rams ( % )2008c 824 804(20) 227 (28) 37 (5) 430 (54) 147 (18) 53 34

2003 574 497 (77) 188 (38) 19 (4) 227 (46) 82 (16) 83 36

2000 835 722 (113) 195 (27) 31 (4) 357 (49) 170 (24) 55 48

1996b 49 49 (0) 21 (43) 4 (8) 19 (39) 9 (18) 111 47

1995c 725 702 (23) 215 (31) 66 (9) 345 (49) 134 (19) 62 39

1994d 194 193 (1) 36 (19) 7 (4) 87 (45) 39 (20) 41 45

1990c 756 710 (46) 212 (30) 29 (4) 334 (47) 164 (23) 63 49

1988c 640 606 (34) 211 (35) 21 (3) 287 (47) 108 (18) 73 38

1983 904 874 (30) 233 (27) 24 (3) 489 (56) 152 (17) 48 31

1979 616 579 (37) 163 (28) 12 (2) 262 (45) 154 (27) 62 59

1978 667 608 (59) 173 (28) 27 (4) 291 (48) 144 (24) 60 50

1973 702 679 (23) 146 (21) 18 (3) 373 (55) 160 (24) 39 43 a = "ewes" includes yearling and 2-year old ewes c = wintering areas north of Bow River not surveyed b = only wintering areas north of Bow River surveyed d = wintering areas only partially surveyed

Sheep observations were further subdivided and evaluated on a WMU basis. WMU’s in

which sheep were surveyed in 2008 included WMU 404, 406, 408, and the Pigeon Mountain

portion of WMU 410 (Table 2). Population counts for MWU 410 will be discussed in a later

section of this report. Sheep numbers in WMU 404 and 406 have increased to levels similar to

the early 1980’s (Table 2). WMU 404 experienced a decline in sheep numbers around 1985,

soon after a large scale pneumonia die-off in a sheep population south of Highway 3 (Crowsnest

Pass to Waterton Park). This reduction in numbers was primarily specific to the Plateau

Mountain winter range. Whether or not there was pneumonia related die-off at Plateau Mountain

remains unknown. Numbers in WMU 408 are down slightly from earlier counts in 2000.

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able 2. Results by WMU from aerial surveys of bighorn sheep winter ranges, 1973-2008

T

WMU Year Total Total Rams Ewe/lamb herds Lambs/ U/CSurveyed Sheep Rams 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl Trophy U/C Ewes Lambs U/C 100 ewes Sheep

404 2008 182 46 10 14 18 4 0 104 32 0 31 02003 80 25 4 5 14 2 0 33 13 1 39 92000 116 31 11 8 6 6 0 66 18 1 27 01996 Not surveyed1995 122 44 7 8 15 16 0 48 23 0 48 51994 49 23 2 6 9 6 0 21 5 0 24 01990 91 39 6 14 4 6 9 35 17 0 49 01988 94 57 14 11 28 4 0 26 11 0 42 01983 202 66 14 16 26 9 1 106 30 0 28 01979 182 53 19 20 12 1 1 83 46 0 55 01978 122 29 8 10 11 0 0 45 18 0 40 301973 180 33 2 9 19 3 0 106 41 0 39 0

406 2008 263 67 13 14 32 8 0 123 59 0 48 142003 117 58 5 4 15 6 28 49 10 0 20 02000 240 66 9 11 15 9 22 95 52 15 55 121996 Not surveyed1995 256 60 15 13 13 19 0 136 58 0 43 21994 113 13 7 2 2 1 1 66 34 0 52 01990 345 86 26 15 13 11 21 164 86 0 52 91988 231 53 15 5 12 3 18 124 48 0 39 61983 360 61 23 17 15 5 1 212 72 15 34 01979 143 43 14 14 13 2 0 63 33 0 52 41978 311 62 23 18 15 6 0 168 81 0 48 01973 243 53 12 18 19 4 0 128 39 23 30 0

408 2008 249 82 14 15 32 21 0 123 38 0 31 62003 243 84 12 16 51 5 0 76 23 0 30 602000 303 85 36 13 25 11 0 127 82 9 65 01996 Not surveyed1995 251 78 12 10 26 24 6 132 41 0 31 01994 Not surveyed1990 267 102 7 43 36 10 6 116 49 0 42 01988 252 78 21 29 23 5 0 128 46 0 36 01983 290 102 18 21 44 6 13 149 39 0 26 01979 196 30 18 7 5 0 0 80 61 0 76 251978 201 62 15 9 18 15 2 73 43 23 59 31973 155 25 2 8 12 3 0 86 44 0 51 0

410 2008a 67 17 2 6 7 2 0 45 5 0 11 02003a 73 24 6 6 7 5 0 34 14 0 41 12000* 87 12 2 6 2 2 0 26 10 0 38 391996* Only Mt. Laurie was surveyed (no sheep encountered)1995a* 25 12 0 1 2 3 6 10 3 0 30 01994* Not surveyed1990a* 15 7 0 0 5 2 0 5 3 0 60 01988* 29 7 0 0 5 2 0 7 2 13 29 01983* 36 6 1 0 1 4 0 20 10 0 50 01979* 53 20 3 8 4 5 0 22 9 0 41 21978* 20 19 0 5 8 6 0 1 0 0 0 01973* 66 20 1 7 5 7 0 27 19 0 70 0

* incomplete winter range coverage

734 2008 Not surveyed(Formerly 411) 2003 119 16 2 4 4 6 0 68 17 0 23 20

2000 105 26 3 6 11 6 0 47 23 6 49 31996 116 37 11 5 8 13 0 55 24 0 44 01995 Not surveyed1994 Not surveyed1990 Not surveyed1988 130 30 3 3 6 7 11 24 10 66 42 01983 90 16 1 4 5 6 0 44 30 0 68 01979 58 17 1 8 4 4 0 23 16 2 70 01975b 62 20 6 2 4 7 1 24 18 0 75 01973 69 28 4 7 11 6 0 29 12 0 41 0

412 2008 Not surveyed2003 59 18 3 6 9 0 0 23 9 0 39 92000 29 3 1 0 2 0 0 8 3 0 38 151996 49 21 4 5 8 4 0 19 9 0 47 01995 Not surveyed1994 Not surveyed1990 37 14 6 4 4 0 0 14 9 0 64 01988 34 31 4 4 14 5 4 2 1 0 50 01983 16 13 3 6 4 0 0 2 1 0 50 01979 42 18 0 9 5 4 0 14 5 0 36 51975b 13 5 0 2 1 0 2 4 2 0 50 21973 58 15 3 7 4 1 0 26 17 0 65 0

a = includes only Pigeon Mtnb = 1975 data used for comparison as 1978 data unavailable

Lamb/ewe ratios have fluctuated between surveys as well as within WMU’s (Table 3). It is

important to note that “ewes” includes yearling ewes and 2-year old ewes as well as possibly

some yearling rams. These sex/age cohorts cannot accurately be classified during aerial surveys.

Both WMU’s 404 and 408 had lamb ratios in the low 30’s and below their long-term average

while WMU 406 was above average at 48 lambs/100 ewes. Only 11 lambs/100 ewes were

observed for the Pigeon Mountain herd, which is part of WMU 410. The reason for this low ratio

is unknown.

Table 3. Lamb/ewe ratios observed in each of the major WMU’s, 1973-2008

WMU Survey Ewes Lambs Lambs/100 Lambs/100 EwesYear Ewes * Mean Std. Dev. Range

404 2008 104 32 31 38 10 24 - 552003 33 13 392000 66 18 271995 48 23 481994 21 5 241990 35 17 491988 26 11 421983 106 30 281979 83 46 551978 45 18 401973 106 41 39

406 2008 123 59 48 43 11 20 - 552003 49 10 202000 95 52 551995 136 58 431994 66 34 521990 164 86 521988 124 48 391983 212 72 341979 63 33 521978 168 81 481973 128 39 30

408 2008 123 38 31 45 17 26 - 762003 76 23 302000 127 82 651995 132 41 311990 116 49 421988 128 46 361983 149 39 261979 80 61 761978 73 43 591973 86 44 51

* "ewes" includes yearlings and 2-year-old ewes

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Sheep observations for each of the WMU’s were further broken down by sub-WMU which

are the units used for allocating non-trophy sheep hunting permits (Table 4). This is required to

address management hunts on a herd by herd basis and equally distribute hunting pressure. The

WMU’s generally consist of multiple herds and differences in access can lead to high hunting

pressure in some units.

Table 4. Counts of sheep observed in each of the sub-units where non-trophy sheep permits are allocated, 1973-2008

WMU Total sheep observed1979 1983 1988 1990 1994 1995 2000 2003 2006 2007 2008

404A 92 115 44 28 45 47 57 24 N/S N/S 63404B 90 87 50 63 7 75 59 56 N/S N/S 119

406A 72 108 58 55 11 79 100 94 N/S N/S 114406B* 71 252 173 290 231 220 214 23 N/S N/S 149

408A 0 21 21 28 N/S 78 103 71 N/S N/S 84408B 234 233 231 239 N/S 173 200 172 167 150 165

N/S = Not surveyed

The most significant change has been the increase in population within WMU 404B and the

decline for WMU 406B. Sheep numbers in sub-unit WMU 408B are similar to recent counts in

1995 but are below counts from 1990 and earlier. Sub-unit 408A currently has a higher

population than what was observed between 1979 and 1990. This sub-unit is somewhat

complicated due to its adjacency with sheep populations of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. It is

likely that sheep move between these two areas.

Sheep observations were further broken down by winter range to examine trends in numbers

on each of the winter ranges surveyed on a regular basis. Each winter range roughly constitutes

individual subpopulations, however, for some ranges, movement patterns by individual sheep

between nearby winter ranges is poorly understood and needs to be carefully considered in the

interpretation of sheep counts (Table 5).

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Table 5. Summaries of sheep observed by winter range and WMU during aerial and/or ground surveys, 1973-2008

Winter WMU Year Total Rams Ewe/lamb herds U/CRange Surveyed Sheep Total Rams 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl Trophy U/C Ewes Lambs U/C Sheep

29a. Ghost Wilderness 734 2008 n/sArea rmerly 41 2003 119 16 2 4 4 6 0 66 17 0 20

2000 105 26 3 6 11 6 0 47 23 6 31996 117 37 11 5 8 13 0 55 24 0 11995 n/s1994 n/s1990 n/s1988 97 30 3 3 6 7 11 24 10 23 101983 90 16 1 4 5 6 0 44 30 0 01979 58 17 1 8 4 4 0 23 16 2 01978 n/s1975 62 20 6 2 4 7 1 24 18 0 01973 69 28 4 7 11 6 0 29 12 0 0

29. Black Rock Mtn 412 2008 n/s2003 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 02000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01996 10 4 1 1 2 0 0 3 3 0 01995 n/s1994 n/s1990 4 4 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 01988 9 8 1 0 4 2 1 1 0 0 01983 7 4 2 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 01979 14 7 0 3 2 2 0 3 4 0 01978 13 5 0 2 1 0 2 4 2 2 01973 16 3 0 2 1 0 0 8 5 0 0

30. Orient Pt. 412 2008 n/s2003 22 11 1 4 6 0 0 6 5 0 02000 6 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 01996 12 12 2 3 3 4 0 0 0 0 01995 n/s1994 n/s1990 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 01988 22 20 3 3 8 3 3 1 1 0 01983 9 9 1 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 01979 20 9 0 4 3 2 0 6 0 0 51978 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01973 12 7 3 3 1 0 0 3 2 0 0

31. End Mountain 412 2008 n/s2003 23 3 0 2 1 0 0 14 3 02000 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 0 01996 27 5 1 1 3 0 0 16 6 0 01995 n/s1994 n/s1990 32 10 7 1 2 0 0 14 9 0 01988 3 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 01983 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01979 8 2 0 2 0 0 0 5 1 0 01978 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01973 30 5 0 2 2 1 0 15 10 0 0

n/s = not surveyed

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Winter WMU Year Total Rams Ewe/lamb herds U/CRange Surveyed Sheep Total Rams 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl Trophy U/C Ewes Lambs U/C Sheep

32. Mt. Laurie 410 2008 n/s2003 5 1 0 1 0 0 0 3 1 02000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01996 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01995 n/s1994 n/s1990 n/s1988 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 13 01983 25 1 1 0 0 0 0 15 9 0 01979 33 7 3 4 0 0 0 18 8 0 01978 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01973 25 7 1 3 2 1 0 11 7 0 0

33. Grotto Mtn. 410 2008 n/s2003 n/s2000 n/s1996 n/s1995 n/s1994 n/s1990 Surveyed from the ground1988 n/s1983 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01979 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01978 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01973 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

34. Mt. Charles Stewart 410 2008 n/s2003 5 5 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 02000 n/s1996 n/s1995 n/s1994 n/s1990 Surveyed from the ground1988 n/s1983 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 01979 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 21978 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01973 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 12 0 0

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Winter Range WMU Year Total Rams Ewe/lamb herds U/CSurveyed Sheep Total Rams 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl Trophy U/C Ewes Lambs U/C Sheep

35. Three Sisters-Wind Ridge 408B 2008 16 1 0 0 1 0 0 12 3 0 02007 27 1 9 1 82006 32 6 1 0 1 0 4 21 5 0 02003 43 6 4 0 2 0 0 30 7 0 02000 67 5 2 0 3 0 0 41 21 0 01996 n/s1995 78 7 5 1 1 0 0 52 19 0 01994 n/s1992a 114 23 9 5 8 1 0 71 20 0 01990a 103 22 1 13 5 2 1 57 24 0 01989a 143 16 5 5 6 0 0 89 38 0 01988a 120 19 10 6 3 0 0 75 26 0 01987a 127 37 14 8 1 0 14 67 23 0 01986a 152 31 11 11 5 1 3 90 31 0 01983 117 13 6 0 1 0 6 84 20 0 01979 91 7 7 0 0 0 0 34 25 0 251978 108 9 6 3 0 0 0 45 31 0 231973 86 8 1 3 4 0 0 50 28 0 0

36. Pigeon Mountain 410 2008 67 17 2 6 7 2 0 45 5 0 02007 40 10 10 21 8 0 02006 38 16 4 2 8 2 0 16 6 0 02003 63 18 6 3 5 4 0 31 13 1 02000 39 12 2 6 2 2 0 20 7 0 01996b 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 271995 24 12 0 1 2 3 6 9 3 0 01994 n/s1993b 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 281992a 25 9 5 0 2 2 0 10 6 0 01990a 15 7 0 0 5 2 0 5 3 0 01989a 14 9 0 3 4 2 0 3 2 0 01988a 13 7 0 0 5 2 0 6 0 0 01987a 9 6 0 0 3 3 2 1 0 0 01986a 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 01983 8 5 0 0 1 4 0 2 1 0 01979 15 13 0 4 4 5 0 2 0 0 01978 20 19 0 5 8 6 0 1 0 0 01976b 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 211975b 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 121974b 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 101973 13 13 0 4 3 6 0 0 0 0 0

37. Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan 408B 2008 149 48 7 9 21 11 0 77 24 0 02007 123 51 51 7 3 622006 135 52 5 11 24 10 2 68 15 0 02003 129 47 5 11 28 3 0 19 8 55 02000 133 37 13 8 16 6 0 52 38 0 01996 n/s1995 95 45 4 4 12 18 6 40 9 0 21994 n/s1992a 88 23 7 9 4 3 0 50 15 0 01990a 136 57 4 25 18 7 3 55 24 0 01989a 104 37 16 9 4 2 6 42 25 0 01988a 111 43 9 16 14 4 0 50 18 0 01987a 109 43 9 21 8 3 2 40 26 0 01986a 142 52 16 19 7 8 2 65 25 0 01983 152 82 11 19 40 5 7 54 16 0 01979 73 19 10 4 5 0 0 30 24 0 01978 93 53 9 9 18 15 2 28 12 0 01973 39 11 1 2 5 3 0 17 11 0 0

a = counts obtained from intensive ground/aerial inventory program associated with 1988 Olympicsb = observed during regional elk survey

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38. Evans Thomas 408A 2008 84 33 7 6 10 10 0 34 11 0 6( ) No. included in total 2003 35 (13) 1 1 0 0 0 0 21 3 0 0

seen on Wedge Mtn 2000 85 (31) 33 12 1 4 2 0 34 23 9 01996 n/s1995 41 (37) 24 3 5 12 4 0 12 5 0 01994 n/s1990 28 (20) 23 2 5 13 1 2 4 1 0 01988 21 (12) 16 2 7 6 1 0 3 2 0 01983 21 (6) 7 1 2 3 1 0 11 3 0 01979 0 (0) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01978 0 (0) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01973 30 (0) 6 0 3 3 0 0 19 5 0 0

39. Little Elbow River 406B 2008 38 8 1 2 4 1 0 22 8 0 02003 23 12 1 0 6 5 0 8 3 0 02000 12 6 0 4 2 1 0 3 2 0 01996 n/s1995 6 1 0 1 0 0 0 3 2 0 01994 n/s1990 31 9 4 2 3 2 13 5 2 0 01988 19 15 0 0 0 1 14 2 2 0 01983 7 7 1 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 01979 7 7 1 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 01978 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01973 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

40. Forget-Me-Not 406B 2008 28 0 2 2 5 0 0 13 6 0 02003 n/s2000 25(8) 2 2 0 1 0 0 16 6 0 01996 n/s1995 30 (15) 4 1 0 3 0 3 15 8 0 01994 32 (26) 8 1 3 1 0 0 16 8 0 31990 25 (30) 6 3 0 1 2 0 12 7 0 01988 30 (0) 4 2 0 2 0 0 16 10 0 01983 67 (25) 16 5 6 3 1 1 38 11 2 01979 0 (0) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01978 47 (0) 9 6 1 1 1 0 26 12 0 01973 63 (0) 10 4 6 0 0 0 35 14 4 01971 53 (1) 1 0 1 0 0 0 10 5 0 37

( ) Threepoint Creek sheep seen but not included in totals as these sheep fall within the Mt Rose/Mt Ware winter rangeThe Threepoint Creek sheep suspected to part of the Forget-Me-Not herd

41. Mt Rae 406A 2008 23 6 0 0 5 1 0 12 5 0 02003 13 9 2 1 5 1 0 3 1 0 02000 20 11 1 0 4 6 0 7 2 0 01996 n/s1995 11 11 3 2 1 5 0 0 0 0 01994 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01990 50 16 2 1 5 7 1 22 12 0 01988 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01983 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01979 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01978 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01973 18 3 0 1 2 0 0 11 4 0 01971 0

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42. Mt Burns 406B 2008 15 7 1 1 4 1 0 6 2 0 02003 n/s2000 14 3 0 0 2 1 0 7 4 0 01996 n/s1995 15 8 1 4 2 1 0 5 2 0 01994 8 2 1 0 0 0 1 4 2 0 01990 37 14 5 4 3 2 0 13 10 0 01988 31 13 4 2 3 0 4 11 7 0 01983 14 4 2 0 1 1 0 5 5 0 01979 33 10 7 3 0 0 0 14 9 0 01978 51 10 5 2 2 1 0 31 10 0 01973 12 8 0 1 6 1 0 3 1 0 01971 11 2 0 1 1 0 0 6 3 0 0

43. Mt Ware-Mt Rose 406B 2008 55 8 3 3 2 0 0 30 17 0 02003 n/s2000 50(8) 6 0 0 5 1 0 16 13 15 01996 n/s1995 38 (15) 6 3 1 1 1 0 20 12 0 01994 47 (26) 8 3 2 2 1 0 27 12 0 01990 36 (30) 3 0 0 0 3 0 25 8 0 01988 14 (0) 6 2 0 4 0 0 8 0 0 01983 53 (25) 6 1 3 1 1 0 24 11 12 01979 5 (0) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 41978 54 (0) 3 1 1 1 0 0 34 17 0 01973 9 (0) 4 1 3 0 0 0 4 1 0 01971 54 (1) 5 0 4 1 0 0 22 14 0 13

( ) Threepoint Creek sheep included in total. These sheep, however, suspected to part of Forget-Me-Not herd.

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44. Sheep River 406B 2008 29 0 4 7 5 0 11 2 0 0(in 406A for hunting 2007* 42 16 16 17 9

season) 20062005* 58 25 2 23 23 8 02004* 61 27 4 23 20 10 02003 53 28 28 23 2 0 02002 62 27 27 30 5 0 02001 78 31 31 36 11 0 0

2000*a 114 38 n/a n/a n/a n/a 38 52 13 0 02000 40 22 0 0 0 0 22 4 2 12 01999* 114 38 n/a n/a n/a n/a 38 52 13 0 01998* 110 38 n/a n/a n/a n/a 38 47 20 0 01997* 98 35 n/a n/a n/a n/a 35 43 15 0 01996* 93 36 n/a n/a n/a n/a 36 46 8 0 31995 89 23 3 4 5 11 0 52 14 0 01995* 95 36 3 0 0 0 33 44 15 0 01994* 97 32 7 0 0 0 25 52 13 0 01993* 121 29 10 0 0 0 19 57 35 0 01992* 119 21 13 0 0 0 8 61 37 0 01991* 118 29 6 0 0 0 23 59 30 0 01990 125 29 6 4 0 0 19 54 33 0 91990* 118 30 7 0 0 0 23 59 29 0 01989* 109 29 8 0 0 0 21 53 27 0 01988 79 15 7 3 3 2 0 48 16 0 01988* 99 31 3 0 0 0 28 51 17 0 01987* 99 34 3 0 0 0 31 49 16 0 01986* 107 36 7 0 0 0 29 57 14 die-off 01985* 153 47 8 0 0 0 39 71 35 0 01984* 147 47 9 0 0 0 38 62 38 0 01983* 144 41 11 0 0 0 30 63 40 0 01983 110 11 6 3 2 0 0 83 16 0 01982* 140 43 6 0 0 0 37 55 42 0 01979 31 15 3 5 5 2 0 12 4 0 01978 85 40 11 14 11 4 0 29 16 0 01973 89 17 6 6 4 1 0 44 9 19 01971 67 3 0 3 0 0 0 16 2 0 46

* ground counts of marked sheepa = counts of summer 1999 used with 2000 totals (2000 ground counts not yet made)

16


45. Gibralter Mtn. 4B and 40 2008 48 15 7 2 6 0 0 24 9 0 02003 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 02000 60 12 3 7 1 1 0 38 10 0 01996 n/s1995 34 7 4 1 1 1 0 17 9 0 11994 11 1 1 0 0 0 0 7 3 0 01990 35 5 2 2 1 0 0 22 8 0 01988 37 8 5 0 3 0 0 23 6 0 01983 47 8 2 2 3 1 0 23 16 0 01979 39 9 1 7 1 0 0 18 12 0 01978 55 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 19 0 01973 39 8 0 1 5 0 0 23 8 0 21971 28 4 0 3 0 1 0 14 10 0 0

46. Mist Mountain 404B 2008 34 10 1 4 3 2 0 22 2 0 02003 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 0 02000 12 5 1 3 1 0 0 5 2 0 01996 n/s1995 26 9 1 0 1 7 0 13 4 0 01994 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01990 29 17 2 6 0 6 3 8 4 0 01988 16 16 0 3 10 3 0 0 0 0 01983 55 19 2 3 9 4 1 29 7 0 01979 83 25 8 9 7 0 1 32 26 0 01978 18 18 5 6 7 0 0 0 0 0 01973 40 4 0 1 2 1 0 28 8 0 01971 12 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 11

47. Mt Head 4B and 40 2008 72 5 6 13 2 0 34 12 0 02003 48 15 2 3 8 2 0 16 8 0 92000 41 20 8 4 5 3 0 14 7 0 01996 n/s1995 66 14 2 2 6 4 0 26 19 7 01994 50 9 2 3 3 1 0 26 15 0 01990 54 21 2 9 4 0 6 22 11 0 01988 55 18 6 3 8 1 0 27 10 0 01983 93 33 10 7 13 3 0 45 14 0 11979 67 11 3 3 5 0 0 36 20 0 01978 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 7 0 01973 39 16 2 4 8 2 0 17 6 0 01971 16 3 0 3 0 0 0 8 5 0 0

48. Cataract Ck. 404A 2008 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 02003 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 02000 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 01996 n/s1995 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01994 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 01990 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01988 16 5 3 0 2 0 0 7 4 0 01983 30 8 0 4 2 2 0 17 5 0 01979 50 8 3 5 0 0 0 29 13 0 01978 38 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 8 17 01973 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 01971 22 4 0 3 1 0 0 10 8 0 0

49. Plateau Mtn 404A 2008 63 5 2 2 1 0 0 40 18 0 02003 24 9 2 1 6 0 0 12 2 1 02000 50 8 4 1 1 2 0 29 12 1 01996 n/s1995 45 21 4 6 8 3 0 17 7 0 01994 43 16 2 3 6 4 0 22 5 0 11990 28 4 3 1 0 0 0 16 8 0 01988 28 16 3 5 7 1 0 8 4 0 01983 85 14 8 4 2 0 0 54 17 0 01979 42 15 8 2 4 1 0 20 7 0 01978 66 11 3 4 4 0 0 32 10 13 01973 111 15 1 4 10 0 0 67 29 0 01971 57 11 0 5 3 3 0 34 10 2 0

17


Peter Lougheed 648 2008 63 15 4 4 5 2 0 35 13 0 0Provincial Park 2003

2000 60 20 8 1 8 3 0 35 5 0 0

Outside Designated Winter Ranges

Junction Mtn. 406A 2008 38 3 1 2 0 0 0 12 9 0 1420032000 26 1 1 0 0 0 0 18 7 0 0

Fisher Peak 406B 20082003 27 11 1 0 7 1 0 6 5 0 52000 25 18 9 4 2 3 0 2 5 0 0

Pickeljar Lakes 404B 20082003 24 9 2 3 4 0 0 13 2 0 0

Saddle Peak 412 2000 17 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 15

Various Locations 410 2000 48 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 3 0 39

Sheep counts on each winter range vary considerably from one survey to the next (Table 5),

making it difficult to infer if changes from year to year are real or just influenced by visibility

biases or movements of sheep between ranges. Winter ranges where obvious trends are apparent

are the Three Sisters–Wind Ridge and Sheep River winter ranges. Both ranges show a downward

trend in numbers. The Sheep River population has been intensively studied using marked

individuals since the early 1980’s and a population decline has been documented through the

research program. Poor lamb survival and periods of high cougar predation have been the

primary vectors responsible for the decline. It is unknown why numbers have declined in the

Three Sisters-Wind Ridge population.

Throughout the 1997 and 1998 period, bighorn sheep were relocated to areas within WMU’s

404 and 406 to supplement winter ranges that were low in sheep numbers. Sheep were

transplanted from Ram Mountain and the Cardinal River Coal areas to locations within

Kananaskis Country (Picklejar Creek and Plateau Mountain). No marked sheep from these

translocations were readily observed during the 2008 survey, however during the 2008 survey, 2

ear tagged ewes from the Sheep River population were observed, one in Junction Valley and the

other on Bluerock Mountain.

18

19

WMU 410 – Highway 1A ground surveys

Rather than conducting aerial surveys of those winter ranges north of the Bow River in

WMU 410, more accurate counts can be made from Highway 1A during the spring when these

sheep are concentrated on winter ranges adjacent to the highway. These spring counts have been

done since 1989 and the winter ranges include Mt. Laurie, Grotto Mountain, and Mt. Charles

Stewart. Along Highway 1A, there are several sub-groups of sheep that tend to use traditional

areas along the north side of the highway, including the Kananaskis Townsite (Mt. Laurie),

Exshaw Mine/Rockcut (Grotto Mountain), Gap Lake (Grotto Mountain), and the Burnco site just

east of Canmore (Mt. Charles Stewart). There are likely some movements between these areas

along the highway but efforts to reduce duplication are made by conducting counts on the same

day or within as short a time as possible. Sheep need to be down along the highway for accurate

counting and classification. This requires multiple counts be conducted over consecutive days

until there is confidence that maximum group sizes have been seen at each of the subgroup

locations. On the south side of the Bow River is the Pigeon Mountain winter range and these

sheep are also in WMU 410 but are not included in this summary (Table 6).

The 2008 count of 257 was the highest count recorded since these surveys were started in 1989.

There was, however, some uncertainty that duplicate counts were made as the surveys were

carried out over 2 weeks and the unusually high count of 100 sheep at the Burnco site may have

included sheep that were seen at Gap Lake a week earlier. Caution is warranted when

interpreting the counts from 2008 as the increase in sheep numbers may have been an artifact of

duplicate counts.

Table 6. Highway 1A (WMU 410) bighorn sheep observations

Location Year/Month Total Sheep Total Yearling U/C Total Adult Yearling Total Lamb/100Observed Rams Rams 1/2 curl Trophy Rams Ewes Ewes Ewes Lambs Adult Ewes

Kananaskis 2008 / April 20 4 0 2 0 0 13 2 1 2 15Townsite 2004 / April 28 7 1 1 4 1 0 0 16 14 2 5 37

2003 / May 15 4 1 1 0 0 10 10 0 1 102000 / April 4 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 01998 / April 29 6 0 1 0 0 20 19 1 3 161993 / April 52 4 1 2 0 0 45 39 6 3 81992 / April 28 1 0 0 0 0 17 15 2 10 671991 / April 37 5 0 0 0 0 26 23 3 3 131990 / Nov Not Observed1990 / April 13 2 2 0 0 0 9 9 0 2 221989 / April Not Observed

Exshaw 2008 / April 54 3 0 0 0 21 25 25 0 5 202004 / April 32 16 4 7 3 2 0 0 9 7 2 7 1002003 / May 53 16 1 8 0 0 34 31 3 3 102000 / April 38 3 1 0 0 0 25 25 0 7 281998 / April 41 6 0 1 0 0 32 30 2 4 131993 / April 38 4 0 1 0 0 30 28 2 4 141992 / April 29 1 0 0 0 0 24 21 3 3 141991 / April 69 16 0 8 0 0 40 34 6 10 291990 / Nov 49 7 2 1 1 0 28 26 2 14 541990 / April 44 4 4 0 0 0 30 27 3 10 371989 / April 107 17 12 2 0 1 59 55 4 26 47

Gap Lake 2008 / April 83 15 0 5 0 0 56 53 3 12 212004 / April 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 6 2 0 02003 / May 65 14 2 3 0 0 53 49 4 7 142000 / April 45 8 1 2 0 0 32 28 4 5 181998 / April 74 3 0 2 0 0 67 65 2 5 81993 / April 48 2 0 0 0 0 41 41 0 5 121992 / April 58 7 0 3 0 0 41 38 3 14 371991 / April 88 18 0 6 0 0 65 60 5 5 81990 / Nov 37 5 0 2 0 0 25 22 3 7 321990 / April 54 12 5 2 0 0 37 30 7 5 171989 / April 69 7 4 0 0 0 43 40 3 19 48

East of Canmore 2008 / May 1* 100 14 0 2 12 0 0 0 73 73 0 13 18(Burnco) 2004 / April 70 20 4 5 8 3 0 0 42 39 3 8 20

2003 / May 29 8 0 4 0 0 17 17 0 4 242000 / April 38 10 0 5 0 0 20 18 2 8 441998 / April 18 1 0 0 0 0 17 17 0 0 01993 / April 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 0 01992 / April 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01991 / April 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01990 / Nov 70 7 0 2 3 0 48 42 6 15 361990 / April 19 4 3 0 0 0 13 11 2 2 181989 / April Not Observed

Totals 2008 / April* 257 43 0 12 15 5 0 21 167 153 4 32 192004 / April 138 43 9 13 15 6 0 0 75 66 9 20 302003 / May 162 42 4 16 0 0 114 107 7 15 142000 / April 125 23 2 7 0 0 79 73 6 20 271998 / April 162 16 0 4 0 0 136 131 5 12 91993 / April 142 10 1 3 0 0 120 112 8 12 111992 / April 115 9 0 3 0 0 82 74 8 27 361991 / April 194 39 0 14 0 0 131 117 14 18 151990 / Nov 156 19 2 5 4 0 101 90 11 36 401990 / April 130 22 14 2 0 0 89 77 12 19 251989 / April 176 24 16 2 0 1 102 95 7 45 47

* May be some duplication of count due to sheep movements between counts

6 04 1

22 34 4

6 06 0

12 29 3

15 7

1 0

0 02 0

0 00 0

5 01 0

1 3

5 03 0

11 12 1

2 04 0

5 00 1

6 4

6 3

0 01 1

6 20 3

3 01 0

1 13 2

3 0

6 1

0 0

5 0

1 01 0

1 15 0

1 1

2 0

Rams1/4 curl 3/4 curl

20

Appendix 1. WMU observation checkpoints and group composition data for 2008

Date WMU Checkpt. Total Ewes Lambs U/C Rams U/C U/C UTMNumber Sheep Ewe/Lamb 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl 4/5 trophy Rams Sheep Northing Easting Winter Range Comments

21-Jan-08 404B 98 4 3 1 5585513 670752 Mt Head21-Jan-08 404B 105 19 12 4 2 1 5587030 666273 Mt Head21-Jan-08 404B 106 5 2 3 5586826 666180 Mt Head21-Jan-08 404B 107 8 1 2 3 2 5586219 665475 Mt Head21-Jan-08 404B 116 4 3 1 5589835 663732 Mt Head23-Jan-08 404B 126 23 12 4 3 2 2 5606181 651620 Gibralter Mtn23-Jan-08 404B 129 2 1 1 5600458 656238 Gibralter Mtn23-Jan-08 404B 132 4 2 2 5589954 663654 Mt Head23-Jan-08 404B 133 1 1 5590229 664923 Mt Head23-Jan-08 404B 134 5 3 1 1 5590666 664964 Mt Head23-Jan-08 404B 142 7 2 5 5584099 667952 Mt Head23-Jan-08 404B 145 14 12 1 1 5600746 650130 Mist Mtn23-Jan-08 404B 146 17 10 1 1 2 2 1 5602408 649836 Mist Mtn23-Jan-08 404B 147 1 1 5603962 648826 Mist Mtn23-Jan-08 404B 149 3 3 5607338 648693 Gibralter Mtn23-Jan-08 404B 155 2 1 1 5602988 646627 Mist Mtn23-Jan-08 404A 137 11 6 3 1 1 5569493 676901 Plateau Mt23-Jan-08 404A 138 2 1 1 5564792 675561 Plateau Mt23-Jan-08 404A 139 33 24 7 1 1 5564544 677634 Plateau Mt23-Jan-08 404A 140 16 9 7 5563463 681509 Plateau Mt23-Jan-08 404A 141 1 1 5566876 682652 Plateau Mt

404A 63 40 18 2 2 1 0Totals: 404B 119 64 14 8 12 17 4

404 182 104 32 10 14 18 4

20-Jan-08 406A 61 16 4 7 5 5611606 679942 Sheep R. (High Noon)21-Jan-08 406A 97 15 8 4 1 2 5588669 672358 Mt Head23-Jan-08 406A 118 38 12 9 1 2 14 5603724 664293 1 with radiocollar23-Jan-08 406A 119 2 1 1 5603607 657414 Blu/Blk ear tags23-Jan-08 406A 120 1 1 5604302 653633 Gibralter Mtn23-Jan-08 406A 121 12 5 4 3 5603705 653711 Gibralter Mtn23-Jan-08 406A 150 7 3 1 3 5608659 648936 Gibralter Mtn23-Jan-08 406A 151 4 3 1 5608884 646871 Mt Rae23-Jan-08 406A 152 19 12 5 2 5611400 646719 Mt Rae20-Jan-08 406B 47 14 7 4 1 2 5631680 652318 Forget-Me-Not20-Jan-08 406B 48 3 2 1 5627289 654457 Forget-Me-Not20-Jan-08 406B 49 1 1 5626057 655305 Forget-Me-Not20-Jan-08 406B 50 10 4 2 1 3 5624329 657640 Forget-Me-Not20-Jan-08 406B 53 17 7 6 2 1 1 5625619 662391 Mt Ware-Mt Rose20-Jan-08 406B 65 32 20 9 1 2 5617420 654547 Mt Ware-Mt Rose21-Jan-08 406B 67 1 1 5615383 659246 Mt Ware-Mt Rose21-Jan-08 406B 69 13 11 2 5613549 667047 Sheep R. Yell/Purp23-Jan-08 406B 117 5 3 2 5612285 656069 Mt Ware-Mt Rose23-Jan-08 406B 153 15 6 2 1 1 4 1 5614531 646831 Mt Burns24-Jan-08 406B 162 5 2 3 5622766 640903 Little Elbow R.24-Jan-08 406B 163 18 13 4 1 5622846 639010 Little Elbow R.24-Jan-08 406B 164 3 2 1 5625102 638547 Little Elbow R.24-Jan-08 406B 165 10 7 3 5629170 640178 Little Elbow R.24-Jan-08 406B 166 2 1 1 5617735 643212 Little Elbow R.

406A 114 41 24 6 6 17 6 0 14Totals: 406B 149 82 35 7 8 15 2 0

406 263 123 59 13 14 32 8 14

Bighorn Sheep Observations January, 2008

21

Date WMU Checkpt. Total Ewes Lambs U/C Rams U/C U/C UTMNumber Sheep Ewe/Lamb 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl 4/5 trophy Rams Sheep Northing Easting Winter Range Comments

24-Jan-08 408A 180 2 1 1 5626001 632734 Evan Thomas24-Jan-08 408A 181 11 8 3 5626423 632249 Evan Thomas24-Jan-08 408A 184 6 1 1 2 2 5627560 630515 Evan Thomas24-Jan-08 408A 185 1 1 5628149 630289 Evan Thomas24-Jan-08 408A 186 20 12 4 3 1 5628510 631809 Evan Thomas24-Jan-08 408A 188 9 4 1 1 1 2 5632519 636789 Evan Thomas24-Jan-08 408A 189 2 1 1 5626891 636808 Evan Thomas24-Jan-08 408A 190 1 1 5630779 633559 Evan Thomas24-Jan-08 408A 191 29 8 2 3 2 3 5 6 5634944 632518 Evan Thomas24-Jan-08 408A 194 2 1 1 5633715 631876 Evan Thomas24-Jan-08 408A 195 1 1 5635622 629984 Evan Thomas24-Jan-08 408B 205 15 3 9 3 5643550 627445 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan24-Jan-08 408B 208 26 1 4 5 10 6 5644309 626349 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan24-Jan-08 408B 209 6 6 5645164 626050 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan24-Jan-08 408B 210 10 8 2 5645035 626593 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan24-Jan-08 408B 211 32 24 8 5644712 626948 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan24-Jan-08 408B 212 1 1 5647246 623920 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan24-Jan-08 408B 213 20 13 3 1 1 1 1 5649545 625500 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan24-Jan-08 408B 215 33 21 9 2 1 5649868 621740 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan24-Jan-08 408B 217 6 4 2 5644814 627569 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan24-Jan-08 408B 216 16 12 3 1 5652651 619040 Three Sisters-Wind Ridge

408A 84 34 11 7 6 10 10 6Totals: 408B 165 89 27 7 9 22 11 0

408 249 123 38 14 15 32 21 6

23-Jan-08 410 161 67 45 5 2 6 7 2 0 0 5652988 626944 Pigeon-McGillivray Mtn

Totals: 67 45 5 2 6 7 2 0 0

23-Jan-08 PLPP 156 7 6 1 5607897 642525 PLPP23-Jan-08 PLPP 157 2 2 5610243 641250 PLPP23-Jan-08 PLPP 158 19 14 5 5611482 640373 PLPP23-Jan-08 PLPP 159 1 1 5613449 637004 PLPP24-Jan-08 PLPP 167 1 1 5615859 637440 PLPP24-Jan-08 PLPP 169 6 3 1 1 1 5619392 635667 PLPP24-Jan-08 PLPP 171 3 2 1 5622289 633156 PLPP24-Jan-08 PLPP 172 6 1 1 2 2 5623576 633364 PLPP24-Jan-08 PLPP 174 6 3 2 1 5623542 633835 PLPP24-Jan-08 PLPP 177 4 1 1 2 5624717 633339 PLPP24-Jan-08 PLPP 178 8 3 3 2 5625633 633051 PLPP

Totals: 63 35 13 4 4 5 2

Bighorn Sheep Observations January, 2008

22

Appendix I (cont’d)

Appendix 2. Bighorn sheep observation locations during the 2008 winter aerial survey

23

bighorn sheep surveys of know winter ranges · 2017-06-13 · the bighorn sheep survey was flown at...

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