Wildlife officials help restore desert bighorn sheep herds by relocating 50 sheep from Nevada to Utah
BEAVER — A small herd of desert bighorn sheep was released last Thursday and Friday in the Ranch Canyon area of the Mineral Mountains west of Beaver by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and other partnering organizations. The translocation creates a herd in a location that has been void of bighorn sheep for many years and is part of a long-term effort to fill vacant wild sheep habitat.
Fifty-one bighorns were captured from a healthy herd in Nevada via a helicopter and were then transported to Utah. The bighorn sheep were taken from expanding Nevada sheep populations that were nearing carrying capacity, which is the maximum number of sheep that could be supported by the habitat in the area. This made it possible for the extra sheep to be translocated to the stark, rocky landscape of the Mineral Mountains.
“Habitat in the project area, largely composed of granite, rocky spires and cliffs, is ideal but previously vacant sheep habitat,” DWR wildlife program manager Teresa Griffin said. “Bighorn sheep are uniquely adapted to inhabit some of the most rugged areas on earth.”
DWR has been involved in a conservation program over the last 40 years to restore bighorn sheep to their native habitat. This translocation is the culmination of collaborative efforts between DWR and the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the Wild Sheep Foundation, Utah Farm Bureau, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Beaver and Millard county officials, and Sportsman for Fish and Wildlife.
“Our translocation efforts are an attempt to restore bighorn sheep within their native range,” DWR regional supervisor Kevin Bunnell said.
Desert bighorns were first translocated into Utah in 1973 in Zion National Park. Since restoration efforts began, over 1,000 desert bighorns have been released in areas of historical habitat in Utah.
Bighorn sheep are managed as a once-in-a-lifetime hunting species in Utah. For more information on bighorn sheep management in Utah, read the Utah Bighorn Sheep Statewide Management Plan on the DWR website.
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Hey members of the media!
We wanted to let the public know about this upcoming wildlife viewing event. Thanks for spreading the word!
For Immediate Release
Oct. 30, 2019
See mule deer up close in east-central Utah
Green River — November is the perfect time for wildlife watchers and photographers to see mule deer without spooking them. Because it’s deer mating season, also known as the rut, mule deer bucks spend their energy focusing on does or fighting other males, rather than worrying about people nearby.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is hosting a free wildlife watching event on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Nash Wash Wildlife Management Area, located east of Green River in east-central Utah. The event will be held from 2-6 p.m.
Because deer hunting is restricted in the Book Cliffs, just north of Nash Wash, the WMA is one of the best places to see deer, especially bucks. Viewers can watch deer from their vehicles as they drive along the WMA’s network of maintained roads. While visitors will likely be able to see deer fairly close, remember that it can be dangerous to approach wild animals, especially during mating season, so be sure to maintain a safe distance.
As many as 100 deer can often be seen in a relatively small area. The number of deer you see on Nov. 16, however, will depend on the weather, food supply and other variables.
“Unlike visiting a zoo, we can’t guarantee that 100 deer will be readily visible at the event,” Aaron Bott, DWR regional conservation outreach manager, said. “But your chances of seeing deer during the rut at Nash Wash are good.”
While this event is free, it will be limited to 30 people. Register on Eventbrite to save your spot.
Participants should bring binoculars or a spotting scope, a camera, water, warm clothes and snacks. This event is weather dependent, as rain and snow can make the road impassable.
