california wild sheepcawsf.org/pdf/cafnaws - fall 2009 - web.pdf · bryanston rsa 2021 south africa...

A Publication of the California Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep

CaliforniaWild Sheep

Mark DicksonDesert Bighorn Sheep

Old DadsNovember 2008

San Gorgonio Wilderness Outfitters

CaliforniaWild Sheep

Fal l 2009

IN THIS ISSUEFrom the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . 5Christmas in the Middle of June . 6New Approaches for EstimatingBighorn Sheep Populations . . . 9

Dall from Yukon . . . . . . . . . . . . 10My Retirement Ram . . . . . . . . . 13Water for Wildlife Project . . . . 16Photos from the Field . . . . . . . . 18Wyatt Hartwig’s CaliforniaBighorn Hunt at Age 12 . . . . . 22

Desert Bighorn CouncilBiennial Meeting . . . . . . . . . . 24

Some Thoughts on “Water Dispensaries Keep MountainBighorn Sheep Alive” . . . . . . . 28

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CA FNAWS Fall 20092

Brian S. MacDonaldVice PresidentFinancial Advisor

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Western Wildlife TaxidermyAaron Armstrong

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Fall 2009 CA FNAWS3

I hope you enjoy this issue. There is a lot to find/see, including the first newsletter message from our new President Ken Fish, New Approaches for Estimating Bighorn Populations by Dr. Tom Stephenson, several great hunt stories, lots of tips to keep you healthy, and other news of interest.

I am always looking for new material of interest to members.E-mail, call or write! Input due date for the 4Q09 issue isNovember 30.

Mike J. BorelCA FNAWS Newsletter [email protected]

From the Editor’s Desk

We completed the Director Election in late Juneand the Officer Election in July. This summarizesthose results and adds my thanks for your supportthese past four years and a request for you to giveKen Fish, our new President, your full support.

Director Election

Tom Griffiths is elected as a new Director and PaulBrisso, Matt Burke, David Combs, Jim Fitzgerald,Kyle Meintzer and Chris Settelmeyer are re-electedto new terms. They will join Steve Boitano, MikeBorel, John Drummond, Ken Fish, Ben Gordon,Debi Ramsey-Casey, Brenton Scott and TammyScott, whose terms extend through June 2010.

Chapter Officer Election

In July the Board elected officers for the next twoyears.

• President – Ken Fish• VP – Operations – Kyle Meintzer• VP – Northern CA – Mike Borel• VP – Southern CA - Jim Fitzgerald• Secretary – Paul Brisso• Treasurer – Steve Boitano

Thank You

It’s been a pleasure serving you as President theselast four years. Thank you for your support andefforts on behalf of Wild Sheep! Please give Kenyour support and help your Board work to furtherstrengthen CA FNAWS and contribute to the con-tinued growth in population and quality of theBighorn Sheep in California and across NorthAmerica.

CA FNAWS DIRECTOR ELECTION,INTRA BOARD OFFICER ELECTION, THANK YOU

By Mike J. Borel

CA FNAWS Fall 20094

Board of Directors

Officers

PresidentKen D. Fish (2010)

Northern California Vice PresidentMike J. Borel (2010)

Southern California Vice PresidentJim Fitzgerald (2011)

Vice President, OperationsKyle Meintzer (2011)

SecretaryPaul A. Brisso (2011)

TreasurerSteve Boitano (2010)

Board of Directors

California Wild Sheep is published quarterly.

Please e-mail all articles and photos to [email protected].

Photos should be high resolution and in color.It is recommended that digital photos be sent by e-mail.

Please include photo credits and captions.

Matt Burke (2011)

David Combs (2011)

John Drummond (2010)

Ben Gordon (2010)

Tom Griffiths (2011)

Debi Ramsey-Casey (2010)

Brenton Scott (2010)

Tammy Scott (2010)

Chris Settelmeyer (2011)

David CombsPO Box 2767

Long Beach, CA [email protected]

562-595-7401

Zulu Nyala GroupVeena Joory

PO Box 69992Bryanston RSA 2021 SOUTH AFRICA

[email protected] 27 11 708 1969

Josh Chrisman28585 Teresa SpringsTollhouse, CA 93667

[email protected]

Wild Sheep FoundationGray Thornton720 Allen Ave.

Cody, Wy [email protected]

307.527.6261

Worldwide SafarisEmil Aliyev

[email protected] 518 8599

www.worldwidesafaris.net

EventsSept. 25-27 Guzzler Repair; Call Cliff McDonald

(760) 326-2935

Nov. 6 Sheep Summit VI, Bishop

Feb. 3-6 SWF Convention, Reno

Feb. 17-20 GSCO Convention, Las Vegas

April 30 Sheep Summit VII, Sacramento

May 1 CA FNAWS “Drive to 35” Fundraiser/Banquet, Sacramento at Renovated Crowne Plaza on Date Avenue

Fall 2009 CA FNAWS5

To all of our California FNAWS Members,

Welcome to the Fall 2009 newsletter. It is difficult to believethat the back end of the year has arrived, and that many ofour members have already returned from sheep hunts toNorthern climes. This edition of the newsletter contains several hunt reports and pictures, as well as additional information that ranges from the technical to the merely fun for those smitten with sheep fever.

This summer, I attended a summit of all WSF chapter presidents in Reno, NV. Mike Borel, our ex-president, and Kyle Meintzer, our founder, ex-president, and now nationalBoard member, also attended. We enjoyed a weekend of collaborating with other leaders from the sheep hunting community across the nation, and we discussed strategy on a number of key issues from raising national membership levels to developing a more compelling Web presence to howto work more effectively with game departments throughout the West. One of the things that struck me during those meetings was the degree of cohesion that other chapters seem to enjoy, a cohesion that ourchapter struggles to achieve. There are many reasons for this difference, and one of the most challenging is the sheer size of our state, especially the length that separates the north from the south. As many havepointed out, California is approximately the same size as the nation of Iraq, which means that gathering our busy, successful members presents unique challenges that many chapters from smaller states do notencounter. However, we sheep hunters tend to be a tenacious lot, so we keep on trying to foster new opportunities for connecting among our members.

During the course of the next few months, we hope to host opportunities to connect regionally. Mike Borelinstituted this effort last year, and I would like to expand upon it during the upcoming year. Expect to hearmore about these activities in the coming months. Also, I would like to issue a call for volunteers to help withour fundraiser, to be held in May. The core workforce for this effort has historically come from our Board, butthere is no reason that rank-and-file members shouldn't participate in this effort. It is OUR fundraiser, and theplanning calls, coordination of work efforts, and solicitation activities all provide opportunities to connect withother sheep hunters whom you might not otherwise see or know. Furthermore, the old saying holds true,“Many hands make the labor light.” If you have an interest in helping with our fundraiser, please contact me as soon as possible, as we will soon commence planning activities for the May 1, 2010 event. While you are atit, save the date now!

Finally, I would like to report a piece of good news. Since we are all California-based hunters, we should all be pleased to know that the California Fish and Game Commission has decided not to expand the lead bulletban outside of the area already designated as lead-free condor territory. There had been significant concernamong the California hunting community that the lead ban could have been extended statewide. While this issue will undoubtedly resurface in the future, it is gratifying to know that sound science prevailed overpolitically-motivated efforts to reduce and restrict hunter options. Since none of us can hunt sheep all thetime, this is especially good news for those who hunt pigs, deer, and small game in other parts of the state. If you think of it, take the time to contact the Fish and Game Commission to thank them for their decisionfor California's hunters.

I look forward to an active year working with all of you. Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts,comments, or suggestions you may have on how to make CAFNAWS a better organization for California'ssheep and sheep hunters.

Ken FishPresident

President’s Message

CA FNAWS Fall 20096

It was Christmas time for me, in the middle ofJune. After years of applying for sheep tags all overthe western United States, I finally received one ofthose gift type letters from the California Fish andGame. The words successful for Nelson Bighorn Sheepin Area 5, San Gorgonio Mountains were plasteredacross the top the paper. I can still remember the feeling of shock and surprise I felt after opening that envelope. I was almost in panic and must havethought I had to plan the whole trip that evening —because I was on the phone immediately with myfriend Wayne Testolin asking what he thought. Hesaid he would make some calls and see what he couldfind out about the area. After hanging up I calledTerry Andersen of San Gorgonio Outfitters, a guide Ihad heard about, and broke the news to him aboutdrawing the tag. I still remember Terry saying, "Ohthanks," for giving him the news, because that meantthat he had not drawn it. He said congratulations andtold me some things about the area and the sheepthey had seen and taken in the past. I was really firedup hearing some of the stories, and about the poten-tial of the sheep in the area. I informed Terry that Iwas still undecided about whether to hire a guide orgo at it alone. He understood and told me to keephim in mind if I decided to hire an outfitter. I agreedand promised to keep him informed. After Wayneand I did some checking we decided it probably

would be the best to hire a guide. I had just taken anew job in Elko, NV, and by the time I figured in thedrive time and cost of traveling to southern Californiascouting over the next six or seven months, it waspretty much a no-brainer to hire Terry. There are alsosome access challenges to the low country of this unitand Terry had the right of ways to some of these. So Imade the call to Terry and told him to count me in.

The next several months were very busy for meand my family. We relocated from where we wereworking in Oakdale, CA to Elko, NV where I startedmy new job in the gold mines. My wife, Becky, and I had also drawn Antelope tags in Wyoming. She alsodrew an Antelope tag in New Mexico and a Bull Elktag in Nevada. It seemed like all Fall I was eithershooting, reloading, hunting or working lots of over-time to help pay for all these adventures! In October Imade a flight after work to Las Vegas and drove nearBarstow to attend an orientation for the sheep hunt.It was put on by The Society for Conservation ofBighorn Sheep, CA FNAWS, California Department ofFish and Game and several volunteers. I was a goodtime, talking with the other "Lottery Winners" forthat year and all that attended. They served us a verygood lunch and gave us a history lesson of sheep inCalifornia. We heard many good stories of the hardwork put in by people to establish the sheep herdsand keep them on the mountain. The next day Idrove to Terry's house in Morongo Valley and got my first look at the unit. We talked about my expec-tations and what to expect. It all sounded good, and Imade a loop around the unit on my back to Las Vegasto catch my return flight home. Now it was the wait-ing game, but we had other hunts to do and the timeactually went pretty fast. I kept in touch with Terry.He informed me that they had some early storms andthat should push some of the sheep down to thelower country and everything looked good. I finallygot the call that it was my turn to hunt, so back toCalifornia I went. It was a shock when I got to Terry'shouse; it was about 10 degrees in Elko and about 75in Morongo Valley. So I think I was breaking a sweatjust unloading my gear and hauling it in to thehouse. I was introduced to the Nathan, Franklin,Andrew, Colin and John. We sat around that nightwatching video of different rams and getting a gameplan together. It was off to bed to hopefully get somesleep and start my hunt in the morning.

The first day we did lots of glassing and movingthrough some drainages. Colin and Nathan had

CHRISTMAS IN THE MIDDLE OF JUNEDesert Bighorn in California

By Cody Carlon

spotted the ram we were hunting, but he had wandered onto a preserve. We moved to an area thatwas on public land that the ram had fed into before,dug our boot leather into the side of the hill andplayed the waiting game. The ram had found a certain ewe and was not going to leave her side. Hedid not move more than a hundred yards all day. Hestayed on top of a set of cliffs the entire day and didnot look like he was going to leave his girlfriend. Asthe sun started to set, we headed back to the trucksand called it a day. I still had 13 days to hunt and allthe patience in the world, so we would try it againtomorrow.

We woke up, got ready, and decided to come infrom the other side of the mountain. Terry has theright of way through a preserve that blocks the BLMso we made our way to the gate. Terry got out toopen the gate, and as he got back in the truck he said our ram was on the rocks looking down on thepickup. I still remember peeking my head out thewindow looking up at the ram. He was skylinedagainst a bright blue morning sky, It was one of theneatest sights I have ever seen. The problem was hewas still on private ground, so we made our way tothe public ground and parked the truck. We headedup a drainage and were trying to get on top in hopeshe would feed toward us. When we got to the topTerry called us and was in a bit of a panic. He waswatching from down below as a mountain lion wasworking his way across the cliffs toward the sheep. Hehad spotted our second and third choice rams higherup another ridge and was very concerned with thelion going toward our big ram. I talked to Terry for afew minutes about possibly taking our second choiceram if the cat scared our big boy. Now the pressurewas on, do I take the safe bet and take a smaller ramor hope that the big ram didn't get blown out of thecountry by the cat. I decided I would let it play outand hope I didn’t have to make that decision. Wemade our way to the same ridge as the day before anddug in. The cat never did appear near our sheep andthe smaller rams made their way over the ridge. Wewaited most of the day with the same story as the daybefore. Our ram would not leave his lady friend andfeed out into our area. By the end of the day they hadmoved further down the ridge but not any closer toour location. We made the walk back to the pickup. Itwas a pretty cool sightseeing the lights of the city andwind farms while making our way back to the trucks.This was definitely a new experience, as I am used toseeing stars, not cars, while walking in and out ofhunting areas.

The next day Nathan and Terry went to a vantagepoint where they could try and keep tabs on the big ram. Franklin, Andrew and I went to different vantages to glass. Colin had to go back to work, so

we decided it was a glass and take it easy kind of day.The bad news was that we had not seen any sheepthat morning and Nathan could not see or find thebig ram. This worried me a little. The day beforeabout 20 head of ewes and lambs had been spookedby some hikers or the cat and gone into some roughcountry. I was hoping the ram had not snuck out thatnight, and it was weighing on my mind pretty heavy.It got to be later in the day and we met up with Terryand another young man named Jake. They had beenglassing but without any luck. We decided to tryglassing from another area. We were planning onmaking a walk into some country where we had seenrams move into on the first day. We just left the pick-up and spotted one of small rams across anotherridge. We watched the ram for awhile and decided tograb our packs to start the walk. Just about then Terrytold us to get in the pickup; Nathan had gotten holdof him that he had spotted “our ram” crossing a riverbed going into the same country the others had gonethe day before. So off we went, trying not to wasteany time. We got to the entrance of the preserve thatTerry had access through, only to be cut off by pre-serve security. They stopped Terry in his pickup andwere giving him a run around about him crossingthrough to the public ground. I sat in the pickup withFranklin and Andrew waiting for Terry to get thingsironed out. After Terry got his point across about hislegal right to cross their small strip of land we made itto the Wilderness boundary were we met Nathan. Ithad now been quite some time since the ram crossedthe river bed. All of us were out frantically workingthe binoculars up and down the ridges. After a fewminutes I heard Terry say, “There he is.” He was stillin the riverbed working toward some finger ridges. Soas quick as we could, on went the packs and we madeour way down the trail at a fast walk, all the whiletrying to keep tabs on our ram.

Fall 2009 CA FNAWS7

continued on page 8

We got to a certain vantage point and Terrymotioned for Franklin, Andrew and I to start acrossthe gravel bars and try to catch up with him. Terry,Nathan and Jake would stay back and glass. Franklinand Andrew were in great shape and I thought I wasas we ran across the sand and gravel. At one point wejumped down a cut bank only to feel myself lose mybalance and down I went. Andrew grabbed me by thepack and helped me up and off we went again. I willtell you there is nothing like running through sand toshow yourself that you are not as young as you oncewere, Or that you are not in as good as shape as youthought. We finally made it to the other side and gotto a finger that came down to the bottom. Now wehad to find our boy. My head and heart were pound-ing so hard I could barely hold up my binoculars.Franklin said, “There he is.” He was working his wayup another ridge. I hit my belly and put my gundown; Andrew ranged him at 420 yards. My head waspounding so hard I was having quite a time gettinghim in the scope, let alone keeping the crosshairswere they needed to be at that range. I finally startedto squeeze, I heard Franklin say you hit under him. Iracked another in and low again. Now he was makinghis way to the top. I was telling myself to calm down.The third shot went off, I heard Franklin say out infront of him. What was I doing? I was so out ofbreath from the one mile sand run that I was shoot-ing horrible. Fourth shot and I heard what soundedlike a hit, but we were not sure. I just hung my head,I felt like I had let myself and the guys down. Wetook off at a fast walk to see if we could see him. Aswe made our way up the riverbed we saw the ewe hewas with run out of the bottom and over a ridge withno ram. This was a good sign, but he was not piled upas we found a blood trail. As we made our way up theriverbed we would catch a glimpse of him walking

through the brush 300 yards ahead of us. He was onlygrazed and was still covering some ground. Twice Itried to get shots at him only to have him duck backinto the brush. Poor Franklin was now carrying mypack along with his. It seemed like every time I wouldget it back on I would have to peel it back off toshoot off of it. So, it was easier for him to carry it.After about another hundred yards of hide and seekhe started to go up a ridge. Franklin threw my packon the ground I laid in the prone position and gotthe ram in the scope. I fired to see him turn and thebullet hit in front of him. He was still moving up hillwhen the nosler finally hit home on the second shot.It was quite a relief as the ram rolled down the hill. Itook off at a fast walk, after all this I was not going tobelieve it until I could hold him up close and personal.

When we got to where he we had last seen him,there he was. What a relief, what a hunt! All of thoseyears of dreaming about it had finally come true.There laid a true trophy ram. It was not one of myprouder shooting moments, in fact in comes in lastuntil that last shot. It was, however, a true test andwas earned. It was the first time I have had to yell atmyself in my head to keep running and not give upwhile hunting. It was probably our last chance at theram and we got it done. After lots of pictures, we gotthe ram caped and quartered, then headed back tothe pickup to meet Terry. He was all smiles as wewent over what had happened, I think he was a bitrelieved also. The hunt had lots of extras to it. Wehad it all on this hunt from mountain lions to anti-hunting preserve hikers, but that is what creates thememories I guess. I would like to thank Terry,Andrew, Franklin, Colin, Jake and John for all theirhard work and help. And a big thanks to Nathan forspotting the ram that day. The ram ended up scoring174 6/8 — a true trophy and I couldn’t be happier. D

CA FNAWS Fall 20098

Furs by RobertBrian and Jeanne Smith

PMB #133 3760 Market St. N.E.Salem, OR 97301

[email protected]

Front Sight Training InstituteP. O. Box 2619 �Aptos, CA 95001

[email protected]

http://www.frontsight.com

Diamond Outfitters LTDDan Adler

PO Box 1432Cortaro, AZ 85652

[email protected]

www.azdiamondoutfitters.com

Dama Dama SafarisResit Kaan Ozmen

Yesilbahce Mh. 1456 SK 10/13Antalya Turkey

[email protected]

continued from page 7

Fall 2009 CA FNAWS9

The California Department of Fish and Gamebegan conducting routine helicopter surveys of desertbighorn sheep in 1991. A concerted effort has beenmade to conduct annual surveys on an annual basis inthe larger populations. As hunt zones were established,particular effort was allocated to ensure that adequatecounts occurred in those ranges. Indeed, the Fish andGame legal code mandates that population estimatesbe determined for hunt zones on an annual basis. Har-vest quotas are established based on the results ofannual population estimates. In accordance with acomprehensive conservation approach to wildlifemanagement, California manages its bighorn popula-tions to ensure that healthy populations persist andcan continue to include a regulated harvest.

Because surveys have been conducted annually fora substantial number of years since surveys were initi-ated, we are now able to statistically model populationsize for a number of the desert mountain ranges. Six to10 years of annual survey count data provides thebaseline data necessary to project future populationsize for 1 – 2 years. This is possible because the pat-terns of variability and trend are established for a pop-ulation during the initial years of actual populationcounts. By quantifying the variance, the populationcan be projected forward over short periods of time(e.g., 1-2 years) with a reasonable level of certainty.Barring any catastrophic climatic events, that may betracked using weather records, we are able to predictfuture population size with a high degree of certainty(> 80%). By projecting forward only over short periodsof 1-2 years and given that we only harvest males, welimit the risk of overharvesting a population. We will

continue to validate projections with actual counts inalternating years. We are currently completing the ini-tial calculations required to project population sizesfor most of the hunt zones. Those hunt zones thathave been opened more recently and for which thereare fewer than 6 years of actual count data, will con-tinue to be flown to obtain a census of the population.

There are notable benefits of being able to modelestimates in combination with alternating years offlights. By not having to fly every range every year toobtain a population estimate, our limited funding maybe distributed toward other bighorn managementactivities. In particular, funding and effort may beused to quantify population size and trend in moremountain ranges across the desert. In the next issue,we will provide further explanation of the methodsused to model population size and include results ofmodel simulations.

The Department of Fish and Game is committedto completing an integrated plan for the managementof bighorn sheep in the deserts of California. As acomponent of that plan, we will include recommenda-tions for estimating population size and trend for themountain ranges across the Mojave and Sonorandeserts. Given the magnitude of the desert and thedesire to include a comprehensive approach to under-standing the full size and distribution of bighorn pop-ulations throughout the region, we anticipate recom-mending an approach that efficiently uses a variety ofcount methods in combination with quantitativemodeling. By combining creative approaches andsound scientific methods, we will ensure the conserva-tion of California’s wild sheep resource. D

USA Shooting TeamBuddy DuVall

USA Shooting, 1 Olympic PlazaColorado Springs, CO 80909

[email protected]

http://www.usashooting.org/

Timberline OutfittersPerry HunsakerP.O. Box 490

Higley, AZ [email protected]

480-988-9654

The Antler ShackJason House

2662 Horseshoe Ln.Greybull, WY 82426

[email protected]

www.creationsinantler.com

Trophy Room TaxidermyKeith Hopkins

11750 Sterling Ave, Ste KRiverside, CA 92503

951.689.0635http://www.trophyroomtaxidermy.net/

NEW APPROACHES FOR ESTIMATINGBIGHORN SHEEP POPULATIONS

By Dr. Tom Stephenson, California Department of Fish and Game

CA FNAWS Fall 200910

Well, I concluded a successful Dall sheep huntin the Yukon in Canada on August 1 of this year.This trip was planned for a year with my pal MarkDickson and his son William. We flew from LosAngeles to Vancouver. After an overnight stay inVancouver we flew north to Whitehorse in theYukon. Two nights in Whitehorse and then a floatplane to three camps for us. I was in camp “Issac,”Mark in “Purple” and William in “Heart Attack.”We later learned that William's camp was accuratelynamed.

Upon arriving on a lake near “Issac,” I was metby the guide, Craig, and a wrangler, Cory. We thenloaded up my gear and some supplies on horses androde about two hours to the base camp. This con-sisted of two simple cabins, two walled tents, and acorral for the horses. I was assigned to the smaller of the cabins. The horses were rarely confined to the corral, but rather were hobbled and allowed torange as freely as they could while hobbled. Mostmornings they were within a mile of the camp, andCory would set out and bring them to camp aftersome effort.

I spent one and a half days in camp prior to theopening of the season. This time was spent check-ing my gear, reading, and socializing with Craig andCory. Craig has been guiding sheep hunters for over20 years and Cory was in his second year as anassistant. I enjoyed my visits with Cory, as he hadworked on a drilling rig in the oil patch. Craig wassort of a crusty type, but it was obvious he knew alot about wild sheep hunting.

On the opening day of the season we were upearly and loaded some gear on to the three horses

we would be using for the day. I was a bit apprehensive about this hunt as I had a total kneereplacement in March of this year. But I figuredthis trip would be a good test of the “new knee.”The horse back riding was not very uncomfortableand the hiking not too difficult. We rode on andoff for about four hours and were gaining altitudemost of the time. We started our hiking after spot-ting a group of sheep with one respectable ramamong the herd. At one point, Craig left Cory andI in an effort to close the distance and better judgethe ram. During that time, two very young Dallsheep lambs walked within 20 yards of Cory andme. They were then followed by 10 Dall sheepewes. Regrettably, our cameras were stowed in ourbackpacks.

Craig returned and we started a careful stalk onthe ram we had spotted. He was mixed in with afew ewes, who are usually more cautious than rams.So we had to be very careful to minimize our expo-sure to the sheep. We tried to creep and crawl whenthey were feeding and then would pause when theirheads were up. Finally, after an hour or so of this,we were in the best position possible, but still toofar for a comfortable shot. So Craig suggested thatwe walk straight toward the sheep until we were infair range. He cautioned that they very well coulddash away, but believed that we might have achance to improve our position. Well, this strategyworked. With the sheep staring at us, we walkeduntil we were close enough for a fair opportunity.We made a pile of our backpacks and I nestled in toa good shooting position. The ram was down withmy first shot. The usual shouts of joy and celebra-tion followed the success. It was now 4:30 in theafternoon, and we utilized our cameras for manyphotos and then started the process of preparing the ram for our journey back down the mountain.Interestingly, Craig judged the ram's age at 14 yearsfrom the rings on his horns. It is doubtful he wouldhave survived another bitter winter in the Yukon.We arrived back in the base camp at 9:30 p.m.

That evening we had a quick dinner and allretired for some well-earned rest. Sunday was devotedto chores in camp. Craig arranged by a satellite tele-phone call for a float plane pickup for me on Mon-day morning. During that call we learned that Markand William had also been successful on the first day.The next morning the float plane arrived with Markand the pilot on board. We then headed south topick up William. William was elated with his hunt,

DALL FROM YUKON

By David Combs

Fall 2009 CA FNAWS11

but he had to suffer through some fairly miserableconditions. This included a tough climb up a mountain without horses, a cold night spent on the mountain without the proper gear, and then following his success with a handsome ram, a toughwalk of six hours through a mosquito infestedswamp. However, William was thrilled with his experience and thought it was the best hunt of his

life. We returned to Whitehorse and the next daystarted our journey back to Los Angeles.

The hunt was handled by Mervyn's Yukon Outfitting in Whitehorse. Tim and Jen Mervyn didan excellent job with all aspects of the adventure.

As a side note, this was my 21st sheep hunt andthe 16th successful one. Hopefully more on myagenda. D

STATUS OF BIGHORN SHEEP IN IDAHO — DECLINING!

Below is the ALARMING trend for Idaho’s wild sheep populations.Information is from the Idaho DFG.

Bighorn Sheep Population Estimates

Statewide bighorn sheep populations are not estimated annually. Instead, a portion of the knownherds are surveyed on a rotating, five-year schedule. The estimates provided below approximate thedates for which you requested information; the source of the estimates provided is footnoted.

1981a 1990b 1998c 2009d

Rocky Mountain 2,650 3,850 1,710 1,370California 385 1,185 1,460 700

aEstimate from Trophy Species Management Plan, 1980-1985bEstimate from Bighorn Sheep Species Management Plan 1991-1995cEstimate from Return of Royalty: Wild Sheep of North America by Dale E. Toweill and Valerius Geist,published in 1999.

dActual bighorn sheep survey data collected 2005-2008 as reported in annual federal aid reports.Numbers represent bighorn sheep actually observed during surveys, and therefore underestimatesactual populations by 25-35 percent at the time of the survey.

Bighorn Sheep Permits

The number of bighorn sheep permits for the years indicated is taken from annual or biennial hunt-ing proclamations.

1979 1989 1999 2009

Rocky Mountain 86 181 62 63California 12 22 43 22


Congratulations to SFW Idaho, who survivedattacks from the radical right, the liberal left, and awhole bunch of sportsmen groups in Idaho that areabsolutely clueless about what goes on to produceabundant game and fish in Idaho!

The Idaho wolf hunt started legally on Tuesdaymorning, September 1. Over 9,000 Idaho sportsmenhave wolf permits, the quota is set at 220 wolves forthis year.

Federal Judge Malloy heard arguments today incourt in Missoula to place an emergency injunction,which he did not do, thus the hunt is on.

The Attorney representing SFW Idaho and all theSFW State organizations felt the tide has turned in thefavor of state management for the long term.

Montana has scheduled their hunt to start on September 15.

Dr. Scott Allan, SFW volunteer Chairman of theBoard and Nate Helm SFW Executive Director havebeen maliciously maligned by the right and the left,but their vision to work with Idaho Game and Fish,the Idaho Wildlife Commission, Governor Otter andothers has paid the long term dividends as this historiceffort to take back the west unfolds in the morning.Scott and Nate and their team deserve some tremen-dous support to carry on their work in Idaho, they getthings done. I know who talks to whom in Idaho, mymoney is on Scott and Nate and their team !

As I predicted six months ago, it would be difficultfor Judge Malloy to reject the additional scientific

evidence, and now rule against President Obama and Secretary Salazar, who recommended to give thestates the right to manage their wildlife. We will becautiously optimistic that Judge Malloy will continueto allow the states to have the right to manage wolves.

Wyoming is now in a good position to go to the10th circuit court (Denver VS San Francisco) and gettheir state plan approved.

On some other good news, it appears that theUintah County Commission has taken a neutral position on the Bison Transplant into the Book Cliffs,and they will support putting in 4 or 5 migrationunderpasses as the Book Cliffs Seep Ridge road ispaved. Both of these are MAJOR positive actions forthe Book Cliffs elk, bison, bighorn, wild turkey anddeer herds.

Some TREMENDOUS Utah bucks and bulls havebeen taken on the archery season already.

Each and every SFW member should be extremelyproud tonight, being a part of a group of sportsmenthat gets it done, even when lots of others say it can’tbe done.

One day I will write a book on what really happened in the wolf wars, for now, we will just workto keep moving forward with a long term strategy towin for sportsmen on what I think is THE most criticalconservation issue of our lifetime in the Western United States.

Thanks as well to SCI and the NRA for being thepolitical and legal fight on wolf delisting in the West.

WOLF HUNTS IN IDAHO AND MONTANAAnd Some News From Utah

By Don Peay

AK Dept of Fish and GameJuneau, AK 99811

907.465.4190

Amazon ToursSteve FosterPO Box 3106

Coppell, TX [email protected]

972.304.1656http://www.amazontours.com

Cordoba Hunting SAFaco Pavcovich

Los Andex 600 Villa Carlos PA3Cordoba, Argentina

[email protected]

Faunafrica SafarisKen Du PlessisPO Box 1203

Ellisras RSA 0555 SOUTH [email protected] 27 14 766

http://home.att.net/~afrika/


This story starts with my son, Brian, drawing aDesert Bighorn Sheep Tag for the Kelso/Old DadMountains in 2006. He wanted to share this experience with his dad, his hunting partner since he was 9 years old, and I was honored to do so. Brianbooked with Terry Anderson, who in my opinion isthe best outfitter you could find for Desert BighornSheep. Terry’s team included Andrew Pontius, ColinJewett and Nathan Wass; these guys are experiencedhunters, and like Terry, have become good friends.This was a once-in-a-lifetime hunt and was the startof “Sheep Fever” — a contagious condition that startswith grasping those massive horns for the first time.We were both overwhelmed with the whole experi-ence and were in awe of the Wild Sheep and theenvironment in which they can survive. This wasalso the start of the “Quest.” Once you have huntedthese magnificent animals you crave more. We bothput in for sheep drawings and applied for sheep permits in various states, hoping for a lucky draw.Brian also became a life member of CA FNAWS andwe both attend the Sheep Camp Banquets.

After working for 38 years, farming grapes and developing land for E & J Gallo, then AndyBeckstoffer of Napa Valley, I decided to retire inJanuary 2008 at the age of 60. I was shocked andoverwhelmed to receive a retirement gift from myson and his family — an 8-day Dall sheep hunt inthe Northwest Territories of Canada for July 24-31,2009. Of course my son would also go, hoping toadd one more trophy to his quest for the fourspecies of North American Wild Sheep. Brian had

researched and booked with South Nahanni Outfitters. Family owned and operated by WernerAschbacher and his wife Sunny Petersen. This operation has a great reputation of harvesting greatrams, with horn lengths of 35-37 inches, basesaround the 13 inch mark and consistent age of 10-11 years old. Their hunting area is 12,500 squaremiles, with the backpack hunts supported by heli-copter transportation to a spike camp. The use of ahelicopter allows for better game management byusing the entire area without over-harvesting moreeasily accessible populations. This accounts for con-tinuous good trophy quality. As I would find out, itis definitely a fair chase hunt. The helicopter dropsyou and your guide off to establish a spike camp —two backpacker tents near a water source and with-in hiking distance of your game.

Now begins the planning and preparation. Sunnyprovided all support materials, equipment checklist,license applications, firearms transport documents,hunter survey form, and recommended hotels andlocal airlines. She stated the importance of a goodsleeping bag, the best mountain boots you could get,a walking stick and good optics. It was up to thehunters to get into Sheep Shape before the hunt.Traveling to the remote NW Territories is an adven-ture due to scheduling air transportation withoutdaily flights from some of the areas. We flew fromSan Francisco to Edmonton and spent the night. Thenext morning we traveled to Yellow Knife and on toFort Simpson. Next morning we left for Fort Simpsonand arrived at Base Camp.

My first impression of the Mackenzie Mountainswas of complete isolation, with rugged peaks risingfrom the valley floor. It was spectacular and terrifyingat the same time with me contemplating getting this61-year-old body up those steep mountains. Wearrived in base camp aboard a small plane from FortSimpson with two other hunters: one from Mexico,the other from Spain. We learned about landing air-planes on the gravel bars in the NW Territories. Wemet Sunny, Werner, the guides and the kids (Anika,Lynette and Lukas). It was great seeing how naturalthe children fit into the camp. Each hunter wasassigned his own guide. The first order of businesswas to check your firearm to be sure it was on target,then inspect your pack. You really need to pack aslightly as you can, taking only what is essential.

MY RETIREMENT RAMA Son’s Gift Leads to an Adventure of a Lifetime

By Frank Anderson

continued on page 14


We didn’t waste much time — after a quicklunch I was loaded aboard the helicopter for theflight to spike camp. We landed near a small streamin the bottom of a steep canyon and setup the tents.You must wait 12 hours after landing before hunting,and the plan was to hike upward in the morning.Mosquitoes are a big problem in July. This I expected.What I didn’t expect was the heat. It was unseason-ably hot for this far North — above 90 degrees.

My guide was Byron Gagne from Whitehorse.Byron lives in a log cabin, runs a trap line in the winter, works hard, and is as tough as the country he lives in. I live in the foothills of the San JoaquinValley, work sometimes, and as tough as I could gethiking for two months with my pack on semi-flatground. We started up the first slope, with the planto go up where the sheep live. We climbed over slaterock straight up the mountain. I thought I was inshape, but this first little hill was a reality check. Aswe approached the first in a series of drainages withknife-like ridges, we glassed as we went. Byron spot-ted two white spots on a far away mountain and verified with the spotting scope that they wereindeed two rams about 8 miles away. One ram wassmaller with less than full curl, but the other ram was worth looking at. We continued working ourway upward, staying off the skyline and steadilyclimbing as quickly as I could. I was sweating pro-fusely and was contemplating what it was like tohave heat stroke. The only water was at the bottomof the drainage and what you were carrying in yourpack. The rams were bedded on a steep slope of ashale mountain, choosing the location for visibilityand the promise of an occasional breeze to cool themoff. The biggest problem was they were on the tallestpeak. The good thing about the NW Territories in

July is that you have 20 plus hours of daylight, givingyou plenty of time to hike the mountains and travelconsiderable distances. As the day progressed we wereable to hike to a tall peak and work our way to a sad-dle which was about 600 yards across a steep drawfrom the rams. We verified the largest ram was 9years old and was a twister, with the tips extendingback past full curl and having lamb tips. SouthNahanni Outfitters prefer rams to be older than 7years old and at least full curl. Byron and I boththought this ram would have a horn length of 33-36inches based on how far the horns curled around. Itwas impossible to get closer without the rams spot-ting us. We decided to wait and see if they wouldmove to feed or water. Around 6:00 p.m. we madethe decision to head back down the mountain tospike camp. We arrived in camp at 12:00 midnight,after hiking almost 16 hours. It was a grueling hikefor me, traveling an estimated 12 miles and climbing2,000 feet in elevation. I collapsed into my tent, tootired to even eat.

Morning brought with it a difficult question —could I climb back up the hill to the ram we hadhunted the entire previous day? Byron suggested werest up one day and then continue the hunt the fol-lowing day. After two cups of coffee and a MountainHouse breakfast of eggs and bacon, I told Byron “let’sdo it.” We left camp at 10:00 a.m., knowing wewould have a long hike back up to that high peak.The plan was to hike up the same mountain wherewe had last seen the rams, knowing where they hadbedded the previous day. We hiked for 6 hoursstraight up this steep mountain. Byron said “Youknow it’s steep when the guide is crawling up thehill.” He spotted the rams grazing above us. All wecould do was wait and let them graze out of sightand over the ridge.

The rams went on the opposite side of the mountain from where they had bedded the previousday. We continued upward guessing they would circle back to their bedding area. Byron and I climbedto the top of the mountain; which was so steep weonly had a path to walk along the crest of the hill.Traveling slowly and searching both sides of theslope, Byron spotted movement below us. The ramswere bedded on the opposite slope, but the angle wasso steep we could only see the top of the horns about75 yards downhill. We set up and waited. Finally, theram stood. The angle was so extreme I was worriedabout the bullet striking a rock directly below us. Irepositioned my pack vertically and shot standingwith the rifle resting on the pack. The ram neverknew what hit him and rolled downhill, thankfullyonly about three flops. With high fives all around,Byron and I congratulated each other on a greathunt. This was the most extreme hunt I have ever



been on. The most demanding … but also the mostrewarding.

I have always said you can not measure a trophywith a tape measure. This ram appeared normal size,but was a miniature version. His horns in proportionto his head and body looked normal, but he was amini-twister. He measured 30 inches on both sideswith 12 inch bases. He will proudly hang in my trophy room and remind me of this special hunt.Byron completed skinning and sectioning out themeat. The meat went into my guide’s already heavypack, with spotting scope, tripod and gear. I took thehorns and cape, along with my lighter pack. The laststep was to telephone Werner at base camp with thesatellite phone, informing him we could be pickedup in the morning.

The story doesn’t end here. We spotted a drycreek bed below us with what appeared to be a widecanyon leading to our spike camp, a shortcut andeasy hike. It was 6:00 p.m., and by our calculations,we could be in camp by midnight. Heading off thesteep shale cliff was extremely difficult, with mefalling three times. Finally we reached the bottom,traveling along this fairly wide dry creek bed. Thingschanged drastically as the canyon steepened and nar-rowed. We would soon encounter our first waterfallwith about a 30 foot drop and cliffs on both sides.The tough terrain became dangerous with the onlyoption of trying to climb around the waterfall andback down to the stream bed. We finally made it andcontinued downstream until we came to the secondwaterfall at 2:00 a.m. This one was bigger and morehazardous than the first. Even though we were in theland of the midnight sun, it was dark in the bottomof the hole we were in. Wisdom comes with age, andfor the first time in our hunt, I told Byron “hell no.”The decision was made to sleep until daylight, thenproceed. We both emptied our packs and used themas beds on the flattest terrain we could find. Nextcame dinner. Lucky for us I hadn’t eaten all mylunch. Byron got the power bar, I got the jerky, andwe cut the candy bar in half for dessert. I couldn’tbelieve how cold it got after the heat wave we hadexperienced all day. I put on all the extra clothes that I had packed and my rain gear. I had the hood

pulled up on my rain jacket and an extra T-shirt overmy face to slow down the constant attack of the mosquitoes. I felt a warming sensation throughoutmy body and thought, “Is this how it ends, with hotflashes?” Then the reality hit home. I realized I wasalive, but my boots were smoking. At about 4:00 a.m.Byron couldn’t take the cold and started a fire. As thesunlight began to penetrate the deep canyon, weenjoyed ram steak on a stick over an open fire. Laterin the morning, after negotiating several more obsta-cles, we were out of the worst of the canyon. Byronused the satellite phone to call Werner to delay ourpickup time until late afternoon. I still recall Werner’scomment “You mean you are still walking?” Peoplewho experience life in the NW Territories go with theflow, knowing that sometimes things are out of yourcontrol. We finally arrived in spike camp at 1:00 p.m.and began packing up our tent and supplies for theflight out.

Arrival in base camp was like coming to a fivestar hotel for me. The cook fixed real food, I enjoyeda real shower, and I had a real bed in my own cabin.The disappointment occurred the next morning,when I found out that my son had injured his legand was unable to continue his hunt. As he emergedfrom the helicopter, his first words were “You got aram! Congratulations and welcome to the club!” Noregrets and no excuses, it’s just hunting. D

Hayes River LodgeCraig Fletcher

PO Box 874619Wasilla, AK 99687

[email protected]

Joshua Spies Fine ArtJoshua Spies

201 Craig StreetTracy, MN 56175

Friday morning (10:30 a.m.) we were headed outto our first guzzler with 14 volunteers. Lyle and Jimhad already located the four guzzlers for this project,all guzzlers were within 10 miles of the camp site. Thevolunteers started doing what they do best, removingtar, grinding, scraping, bagging and removing a couplehundred pounds of tar from the surface of the guzzler.It was around 1:00 p.m. when one of the guys noticeda bunch of quail wanting to come in for water. We setout a small tray full of water about 30 yards from theguzzler, hoping the birds would use this water and we could continue working. WRONG!!! These quailwanted their guzzler water and we were in their way.We all set down our tools and backed off, it took onlyminutes and here they came. I am just guessing but Iwould say over 150 birds came in for a drink. Jim tooksome great pictures of these quail coming to water. Wesat back for about one hour, and after they finisheddrinking we went back to work. We managed to pre-pare surface and apply first coat of Merlex then headback to camp.

John Nelson had called me the week before theproject and said that his QU chapter, #480 Santa Clarita will provide chicken filets and tri-tip for ourFriday night dinner. When we returned to camp

(6:30 p.m.) John was busy cooking our dinner alongwith several more volunteers arriving and setting upcamp. John cooked the chicken to perfection and thetri-tip was a perfect medium rare, along with a BIG potof good beans, a fresh salad and bread, our dinner wascomplete, along with desert. Thank you John and QUfor the dinner.

Friday evening Dave, Cruz, Phillip, John, Zack,Rudy, Craig, Stan, Dennis, Lyle, Marie, Jesse, Deb, Ken,Doug, Pat, Bob, Richard, Jim, BJ, Ray, Rod, Kathy andDennis, along with a few I know I forgot, all choweddown, bought raffle tickets and spent a cold night inthe desert.

Saturday morning a few more showed up — John, Bert, Mark, Darla, Mercer and Jonathan. We had donuts and rolls supplied by Water for Wildlifeand QU chapter #480, separated into two crews andheaded out to work. Dave Smith took a crew to applysecond coat of Merlex to first guzzler, the rest of usheaded for guzzler number two. We worked on theapron until Dave and crew showed up. Dave took overthis guzzler and we moved on to the third guzzler. Buythe end of the day we had completed one guzzler and75% on two others.

For Saturday night dinner, Jesse brought the fish,


WATER FOR WILDLIFE PROJECT — 6-2009Mojave National Preserve

Landfair Valley

by Cliff McDonald

wrapped in bacon, marinated, then BBQ'ed by himselfand Lyle. We had, BBQ'ed yellow fin tuna, fresh salad,rice, rolls, and desert. Again, we all stuffed ourselves.After dinner Deb and Marie sold some more ticketsand we had the raffle. For some reason it seemed likethe two kids had several winning tickets. Jesse, Lyle,Marie, Deb, THANK YOU for the great dinner, don'tforget the chocolate chip cookies supplied by QU.

Sunday morning, after John's cowboy coffee, somecookies and donuts, Dave took crew to apply secondcoats to number 2 & 3 guzzlers, while we headed outto finish the fourth guzzler. Dave finished secondcoats and headed home, we finished last guzzleraround 5:00 p.m. headed back to camp and thenheaded home.

We completely finished four guzzlers. Thirty-fivevolunteers were present at this project.

Food: I brought 50 elk burritos that were cookedand prepared by Lynn and Bud Parker of Needles,these burritos were used for some of our lunches andwere delicious, there were only five left and I knowthey were split up between the last of the volunteers.Thank You Lynn and Bud. QU chapters, Santa Clarita#480, High Desert #759 and Water for Wildlife alsosupplied food for this project.

Just a little bit on some of the costs: During thisweekend we used up six grinding wheels ($65 ea),three sets of deck walker wheels ($75 ea), 20 gals of gasfor generator and compressor, 23 bags of Merlex ($20ea), 11 bags of concrete ($4 ea), 9 bags of mortar ($6ea), four chisel bits ($14 ea), one spreading broom($40 ea). Free camping on private land @ (????? ea)thanks to Jerry and Neal. This is just some of the costs.

Private donations: Thanks, Nick Bryne, Joe H,Corine More, Carolyn and Dinah for their financialsupport. Eddie Phillips for all the firewood, plus Dave,Cruz, Rudy and Jesse making sure it was delivered.Volunteers like Lyle and Marie, Jesse and Deb, Jim, BJ,Bob, Chris, Craig, constantly buying equipment andmaterial. We could have lots of cash but without ourvolunteers spending their time and gas money wewould be stagnate. The groups listed below, privatedonations and our volunteers have made these restoration projects possible.

• Quail Unlimited 760-617-3291, 760-601-0398, 661-253-4091

• California Deer Association 951-237-0573, 310-973-8148

• Safari Club International, Orange County chapter949-533-0850

• Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep 951-206-6410, 310-339-4677

• Predator Callers of Orange County 714-848-1718,714-972-3103

• Society for the Care and Protection of Wildlife -Mobile: 17759410496, Phone: 7602486583, [email protected]

Any questions, concerns, or if anyone would like todonate please give me a call. Our next projects willstart toward the end of this year.

Thanks to all!

Cliff McDonald760-326-2935



PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD

???Stone Sheep

2009British Columbia

Bill PhiferDesert Bighorn Sheep

2009Nevada

Bob HenryDesert Bighorn Sheep

2008Ajo Mountains of Arizona

???Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

2009Wheeler Peak, New Mexico

Richard ValladaoDesert Bighorn Sheep

2008California

Life Size Mount by Mike Boyce of Animal Artistry


Argali management in Mongolia is on a trajectorytoward a crisis. Because Mongolia has lagged in monitoringand documenting argali, the US Fish and Wildlife Service islaying the ground-work for reducing or revoking permitsto US hunters, and has formally requested an updated,nationwide survey. Within Mongolia, some reputable biologists and hunters are increasingly concerned aboutthe lack of progress in managing habitat conflicts, and sug-gesting that poaching is increasingly frustrating attemptsto conserve argali. As you know, argali management inMongolia is based largely on incentives from trophy hunting. Should American hunters be denied access toregulated argali hunts, Mongolia’s trophy hunting programwould suffer greatly, and Mongolian argali would likelyface even more difficulties than they presently do.

The last formal attempt to survey argali throughoutMongolia was in 2001. At that time, an estimated 13,000-15,000 argali were concluded to reside in Mongolia. Whilea useful effort, that survey is now 8 years old, was poorlydocumented, and was based on ad hoc sampling proce-dures. There exists considerable suspicion that some numbers were based not on actual field surveys, but ratheron interviews with local people or even guesses. Field survey teams were supported logistically, but not actuallypaid, and thus had little incentive to do field work. Wherefield work was conducted, lack of protocols and documen-tation of specific areas surveyed and techniques precludeeven a qualitative assessment of whether numbers reportedwere under-estimates or over-estimates.

That said, there is now positive momentum in Mongolia for better conservation and management ofargali. A critical first step will be an updated nationwidestatus assessment, which the Mongolian Academy of Science’s Institute of Biology (IOB), which is formallyentrusted with this task by the Mongolian government,will be conducting in September-October 2009. This reportwill be translated into English and sent to the USFWS, satisfying their request for updated scientific data on thestatus of argali.

The Mongolian Ministry of Nature, Environment andTourism has committed to partially support this effort, ashas WWF-Mongolia. Some wildlife-related funds from theWorld Bank are also being mobilized. In late March 2009,Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) supported a 2-day workshopon argali survey methodology in Ulaan Baatar, led by Dr.Rich Harris (adjunct professor wildlife conservation at theUniversity of Montana), and J. Ganchimeg (Mongolian citizen, formerly graduate student with Dr. Harris, and currently working on a long-term argali research project inthe Gobi). There was consensus at the workshop that thenext survey must document field efforts in a more detailedmanner than the 2001 effort, including mapping survey

routes and argali observed. This will greatly enhance thereliability and credibility of the report to international regulatory bodies. Dr. Harris is an internationally-recognized authority on population estimation and population dynamics of mountain ungulates in Asia, andcurrently serves as the Deputy Chair of the IUCN Caprinae(wild sheep and goats) Specialist Group. Ms. Ganchimeg iswell-known within Mongolia, and has worked with argalifor > 10 years. Having these outside scientists assist inplanning, implementing, and documenting the survey isviewed by Mongolian authorities as critical in obtaining international acceptance.

WSF support has thus far facilitated updating of argalidistribution maps within Mongolia, and supported prelim-inary work on site-specific maps to be used in the field.However, mapping the entire survey area will require more funds than WSF has been able to generate. The Mongolian IOB has now formally requested R. Harris andJ. Ganchimeg to assist in planning, supervising, analyzing,and documenting the 2009 argali survey; this will improvethe rigor and credibility of the survey, and help put Mongolian argali management on a better footing. Withthe help of WWF-Mongolia and other interested groups,IOB has raised a majority of the funds within Mongolianeeded to support Harris and Ganchimeg. However, fundswithin Mongolia currently fall a bit short of what is ultimately needed for the survey to succeed.

Thus, we are appealing to those with an interest in the continued health of Mongolia’s argali population andin continued sustainable use of argali there to support ourefforts to assist Mongolia in their argali assessment pro-gram. We are in search of a total of $8,000 to support Harris and Ganchimeg. These funds will be used to i) support Harris and Ganchimeg in traveling to Mongoliaand monitoring field work in various selected aimags ofMongolia (in the Altai, Hangai, and Gobi regions), ii) sup-port the production of satellite-based maps which will beused by Mongolian field workers, and iii) support the pro-duction and dissemination of the final English-languagereport, which will be submitted to USFWS (as well as otherinterested parties) as soon as possible following theautumn 2009 survey.

Please send your contribution to the Wild Sheep Foundation International Headquarters, 720 Allen Avenue,Cody, Wyoming 82414 and note “Mongolian Project” onthe memo line. One hundred percent of the chapter con-tributions received will be dedicated to this project!

Richard B. HarrisDepartment of Ecosystem and Conservation SciencesUniversity of Montana

IMPORTANT SURVEY OF MONGOLIA ARGALI


CA FNAWS is honored to have two of our own runningfor the Board of the Wild Sheep Foundation: KyleMeintzer for re-election and David Combs for first-timeelection. They will be on the ballot that comes out in thenext six weeks. Both are highly qualified regardless oftheir state, and are made even more valuable by beingCA FNAWS Directors! Please consider casting your votefor both — they’ve proven themselves with CA FNAWSand want to contribute to Wild Sheep in a larger way.

DAVID E. COMBS - Long Beach, CA

After completing his MBA at the University of SouthernCalifornia, David Combs began his career in commer-cial banking with Crocker National Bank. Later, hisbusiness interests shifted and he followed the Combs’family dream by serving as Chief Operating Officer, andthen Treasurer, of The Termo Company. In 1969, hefounded Termo Company of Texas, an affiliate corpora-tion, where he served as President for 18 years. Davidsucceeded his father, Eldredge, as President of TheTermo Company in 1981 and successfully merged thecompany and its affiliate in 1987. David currentlyserves on the Boards of Directors of The Bear River ClubCompany and the California Chapter of FNAWS. Hehas also served on the Boards of the Independent Petro-leum Association of America, Long Beach Museum ofArt, National Bank of Long Beach, Verde Valley School,R.M. Pyles Boys Camp, California Independent Produc-ers Associates, and was a trustee of Long Beach Memori-al Hospital. David served as Past-President of BeckstrandCancer Foundation and was a Board member for manyyears. He is also Past-State Chairman of CaliforniaDucks Unlimited.

KYLE M. MEINTZER – Reno, NV

Being a WSF Director requires far more than “just showing up.” It requires vision, commitment, passion,and leadership.

Since founding CA FNAWS, I have demonstrated all ofthese qualities:

1. 2001 – Founded the California Chapter of FNAWS.Served four years as President. Currently Vice President, Operations.

2. 2002 – Selected to lead a coalition of wildlife organizations in a critical meeting with top officialsof the Department of Interior and the MojaveNational Preserve in a battle over protecting criticalwildlife water sources.

3. 2003 – Appointed as a FNAWS Trustee. Made significant improvements to both investment management and fiduciary oversight of the Endowment Fund and Life Member’s Trust.

4. 2004 – Convinced the California DFG to surveydesert bighorn sheep in the White Mountains. Thissurvey documented nearly 300 individuals, created a new hunting unit, added three tags to the draw,plus one auction permit, which raised $166,000 atsubsequent CA FNAWS fundraisers.

5. 2005 – Following a long battle, used Washington,D.C. connections to get the Superintendent of theMojave National Preserve transferred. The result hasbeen a more wildlife friendly environment at the Preserve, and, after a four-year delay, CA FNAWS and CA DFG have finally been able to complete avital sheep translocation project.

6. 2006 – Created and led the first California “SheepSummit,” bringing together numerous organizationsto plan the future of California’s desert sheep.

TWO CA FNAWS MEMBERS RUNNING FOR WSF BOARDBy Mike J. Borel


7. 2006 – 2009, Volunteered for “bagging crew” dutiesduring a CA FNAWS funded sheep capture/collar pro-ject in the White Mountains. This project, togetherwith a simultaneous aerial survey, promises to addmore tags in the unit, along with increasing DFG’sknowledge of this herd. Go to the following Web sitefor my photo essay on this project: cafnaws.org/projects.htm

8. I am the primary link between CA FNAWS and theCalifornia Department of Fish and Game and theDFG Commission on project issues, bighorn sheepstrategy, financial oversight and legislative issues.

As a Director, I will continue to bring this same level ofvision, commitment, passion, and leadership to WSF asI do to CA FNAWS. I would appreciate your vote!

Society for the Conservation of Bighorn SheepGary Thomas1039 W. 7th

Upland, CA [email protected]

909/981-5487http://desertbighorn.cjb.net/

Sahuarita Police Dept.John Harris

5420 W. Belmont Rd.Tucson, AZ 85743

[email protected]

Point Blank HuntsJoe Jakab

527 McNeilly Rd.Pittsburgh, PA 15226

[email protected]

MyTimeToHunt.comDrake Dawson8285 State Rd. J

New Bloomfield, MO [email protected]

573.491.3373

R&R Guide ServiceRob Jones

3705 Arctic Blvd.Anchorage, AK 99503

907.248.5983

Magnolia LodgeDennis CampbellPO Box 310727

Birmingham, AL [email protected]

205-674-0101http://www.canasiaexpeditions.com/

Giuseppe Carrizosa SpainGiuseppe Carrizosa

Libra, 47 (Aravaca) Madrid 28023 [email protected]

34913572064

Grand Slam Club/OvisTaylor DeboerPO Box 310727

Birmingham, AL [email protected]

205.674.0101

Integrated Telecom SolutionsJoe M. Surprenant

7579 St. CarloStockton, CA [email protected]

209-452-1432

Jannie Otto SafarisJannie Otto

P.O. Box 10578Centurion 0046 South Africa

[email protected] 83 4707965http://www.jannieotto.com


I just got back from my little brother’s 2009California bighorn hunt. Let me say this was handsdown thee most memorable hunt I have ever beenon. These are some of the toughest animals anyonewill ever get the chance to hunt.

So here's the story. On Saturday, my otherbrother headed over with my little brother Wyatt,who was the tag holder, to do a little scoutingbefore the hunt. We weren't exactly sure where to go, but we were going to make the best of it. He right away spotted sheep on Saturday and then spent the next four days before the hunt finding sheep.

I arrived late Tuesday night with our dad, tofind they had put three nice rams to sleep. Soalthough we had those rams spotted, we were putin a odd situation since another tag holder waswatching these same rams. Push came to shove,and since Wyatt wanted to get a sheep badly, hemade the decision to allow the other tag holder anopportunity at the biggest ram and then he wouldtake the next one. That group was astonished thatwe would allow them the chance. To us it wasn'tall about shooting the biggest, it was more aboutthe opportunity.

Wednesday morning came and we all headedup to where those rams were. We soon found thatthe third tag holder had beaten us up there, butthey were more to the south of us. We soon spot-ted those three rams as they got spooked by theother hunters. No shot for Wyatt, but the othergroup we had met were set up for a chance for ashot. The rams no more than got around the bendand BOOM — Ram Down. Mark, who we had met,

had shot his 2009 ram, which was great to see. We decided to head north on the rim to see if wecould find the others. We got to the next edge,and there was a giant ram standing broadside at375 yards! Though the ram was pretty muchstraight up, Wyatt decided he wanted to take thisram. He set up, got a good rest and Boom! Dustflies up right behind the ram. He missed the shot,about 2 inches over his back. That ram darted outof the area. Not a bad shot given the adrenalinerush for a kid that is hunting his first big game animal! We had no more luck the rest of that day.

Thursday we decide to head North on the rimto try our luck. Right off the bat we spotted sevenrams feeding south on the rim. We tried to get setup for a possible shot, but it was too steep forWyatt and we thought we might be able to getcloser. We found a ravine that headed down theface of the rim and we put a 3-hour stalk on theserams. It couldn't have worked out any better forthe four of us as we ended up having 11 rams feeding and bedded down in this valley. The sunwas rising and we spotted a great ram that Wyattwanted a chance at. The ram was at 400 yds andfeeding in some brush. They kept looking our waythe whole time because they knew something wasthere but they were just not sure. At about 9:00 inthe morning we get stuck in the open and in thesun. We knew that those sheep had us with anymovement. The big ram headed up the hill andthen disappeared out of sight. We were unsure of where he was going. Then all of a sudden hepopped up on the ridge across from us. He saw us but was unsure of what we were. He closed thedistance fast — 300 yards, then 200, then 150. Hestopped and turned broadside. Boom! It hit therock right in front of him. He then turned broad-side at 200 yards. Boom! Shot over him. Wyatt saidthe scope was messed up. We looked through itafter the rams took off, and sure enough, thecrosshairs were sideways. My only thought wasthat it got bumped when we were heading downthat ravine through all the brush and rocks. Noluck that day.

Friday rolled around and not much happenedthat day. We spotted some, but didn't get thechance at them since they got spooked from southsomewhere and those rams never stopped untilthey had moved roughly 10 miles across the rim.We also changed guns for Wyatt since the otherone wasn’t working right.

WYATT HARTWIG’S CALIFORNIA BIGHORN HUNT AT AGE 12

By Ty Hartwig, the Big Brother


Saturday rolled around and we all were soexhausted from climbing and walking up anddown this mountain that we decided to sleep in.After sleeping in, we decided to move camp to thebottom of Abert since we had also been drivingway too many miles round trip. We got done withall that around noon. This time we decided tochange our tactics a little. I was going to be theeyes from the bottom. If we saw something, thenthey would make the stalk and I would watchwhere they went. We spotted three nice rams onthe hill and the stalk began. After about six hoursof trying to get to these rams, they disappeared.Somehow those rams got through the junipers andgot low to where I couldn't see them. My dad,Wyatt and my brother spotted them feeding belowthem — 150 yds and no shot. They were feedingthrough the junipers. One ram was obviously thebiggest and most dominant because he was buttingheads with anything and everything. Wyatt decid-ed that was the one he wanted. He set up andBoom! Boom! Boom! I texted them to see if he gotit. The answer was NO! What!?!?! He missed, shak-ing, and he was trying to punch the trigger. We sathim down and explained to him what was goingon. Those rams weren't scared too much since they were unsure of where the noise was from. Iwatched them feed to the top and that was wherewe let them be. We knew that is where they wouldbe on Sunday.

Sunday came and they had a 3-hour drive upthe roughest road on Abert. I headed back to thebottom to watch and find those rams. Sureenough, right at daylight I spotted all three. Icalled them and told them that they were in thesame spot. They soon got there and spent the next20 minutes watching them feed up the hill towardthem. Wyatt decided he was ready and settled infor a great shot with the 7mm Ultra mag. As Iwatched from below, I heard the echo of the gun.Boom! I saw those two rams run, but not the third.I heard Wyatt yelling from the top. “Ty, I gotone!!!” I was ecstatic. We finally got one! Well afteran hour hike for me and a 20-minute hike forthem we reached our destination to find Wyatt's

2009 California bighorn. What a great achievement and a great way to start the year!

Note from the second tag holder, Mark, who wemet early in the hunt:

It was an honor to meet this family of awesome hunters. I was very fortunate in meetingWyatt, his brothers and their dad. They loved thefamily time and enjoyed the experience. I hopethat this young man exemplifies the integrity offuture hunters and fishermen in Oregon. Wyattand I had come to an agreement as to how wewere going to hunt these rams. Unfortunately,sometimes the best made plans don't work out, as in this case.

Wyatt held his head up, gritted his teeth andhung in there for four more days of hard hunting.Through the encouragement of his dad and hisbrothers, he made good out of disappointment.Now he has a trophy that he can look at and knowthroughout the years that it is the result of hardwork, honor, and integrity beyond measure.

I am that tag holder that scored the ram thefirst morning. I am the guy to whom Wyatt said,“You've been watching 'em too! You take the bigone; I'll take the next one to him." We agreed thathe would take the first shot, but it didn't work outthat way because another hunter spooked the ramsout before he got the shot.

I have hunted many years and I put Wyatt atthe top of my list. If I ever run across him again inthe wilds of a hunt, we will sit down and have anawesome experience to remember together. Wewere two of four drawn from a thousand appli-cants to receive an Oregon Bighorn Sheep tag inthat unit. Once in a lifetime, never to happenagain.

We both have a trophy soon to hang on thewall. But you know what? It's not about the prizeat the end of the race. It's all about how you ranthe race. We may never see each other again, buteverytime we look at our bighorn we will remem-ber each other. That is a bond that no one else canshare.

Thank You Wyatt. D

Action Whitewater AdventuresVerle DuerdenPO Box 1634

Provo, UT [email protected]

800-453-1482http://www.riverguide.com

ACISA SpainFernando Saiz

Vereda De Las Penas53 La Moraleja

Madrid 28109 [email protected]

011-34-1-650-51-69


Desert Bighorn Council met April 8-10, 2009 inGrand Junction, Colorado. The Colorado Divisionof Wildlife was the host for the event. There wereover 90 attendees. This meeting is a great place for bighorn professionals and enthusiasts to shareinformation.

STATE REPORTS

Arizona – 87 permits (down 3). South and Southwest numbers are down. Sheep numbers in the Northwest area are doing well. Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep are doing well. Onlineapplications really increase the applicant numbers.More money is spent on sheep surveys than sheeptags bring in. They survey 1/3 of the hunt units ayear. Currently there are approximately 4500deserts and 800-1000 Rockies. Predation anddrought are still issues. No significant disease out-break has occurred in Arizona recently, althoughwe continue to monitor several populations thathave been briefly exposed to domestic sheep orgoats or where disease issues have been identifiedpreviously. Ongoing research in Arizona focusesprimarily on reducing fragmentation of bighornsheep populations by identifying and implement-ing effective strategies, like highway crossing structures, to mitigate ongoing development.

California – Legislation requires the estimation ofthe size of hunted populations on an annual basis.Aerial population counts cost $750/hour for heli-copter time. A plan to survey every other yearrather than every year, and project population sizefor non-flown years was instituted in 2008. Theanalysis is in a preliminary stage, however, for projecting population numbers forward 1-2 years,we conclude survey count data are adequate andcount- based projection methods are appropriate.

Colorado – The state’s desert bighorn sheep population consists of four herds across SouthwestColorado, including the Black Ridge population(hunting unit S56), Dominguez (S62), MiddleDelores (S63) and the Upper Delores (S64). Desertsheep represent approximately 5% of Colorado’s

total estimated population of 7,355 bighorn sheep.Harvest success was 100% for desert sheep ramhunts in 2008, with 4 licenses being issued across all desert sheep populations. The statewidebighorn sheep management plan was completed in February 2009.

Mexico (Coahuila and Chihuahua) – CEMEX hasmade substantial progress toward the restoration ofdesert bighorn sheep on the historical habitat innortheastern Mexico. Major accomplishmentsinclude: A) The completion of a general quantita-tive habitat evaluation of historical habitat inCoahuila and north Chihuahua. B) The follow upof cooperative agreement with La Guarida Ranchin Chihuahua. C) The establishment of a coopera-tive agreement with OVIS A.C. in Sonora. D) Thecollaboration with SEMARNAT for a wildlife inter-change with New Mexico. Other activities inCoahuila and Chihuahua include the monitoringof the free-range bighorn population in SierraMaderas del Carmen, and the completion of helicopter surveys in the Sierra Pilares bighornpropagation facility.

Nevada – Estimates of Nevada’s desert bighornsheep populations have largely increased over thelast two years. In 2008, the statewide desertbighorn estimate was 6,600 and reflected a 6%increase derived in 2007. In water deficient habitats, water development construction andmaintenance remain important components in aprogram to provide water for bighorn sheep inNevada remains high. 45 sheep died of dehydra-tion in 2007 because the lack of funds to supple-ment water catchments. There are 150 water developments in Nevada.

New Mexico – Desert Bighorn sheep in New Mexico were state-listed as an endangered speciesfrom 1980 until 2008. In 2008 desert bighornsheep were down listed from an endangeredspecies to a state-listed threatened species based on the combination of total population size andmetapopulation size as delineated in the Plan forRecovery of Desert Bighorn Sheep in New Mexico.The autumn 2008 statewide population estimate

DESERT BIGHORN COUNCIL BIENNIAL MEETING

By Tammy Scott


was 425-485. This is up from a 2001 populationestimate of just 166. This recovery is attributed to a combination of translocations of wild bighornfrom Arizona and captive bred bighorn from NewMexico and effective mountain lion control. Inaddition, a rare self starting herd in the CaballoMountains has contributed to this increase. Signifi-cantly lowered adult mortality rates on desertbighorn sheep following intensive mountain lioncontrol, has been documented.

Texas – Desert bighorn numbers in Texas have farexceeded the population levels of the early 1900s,with numbers currently estimated at approximate-ly 1,500 animals. During the 2007 surveys, 991sheep were observed (20% increase), and a record1,193 sheep were observed during the 2008 surveys(another 20% increase). A record 13 permits wereissued for the 2007-2008 hunting season and arecord 15 permits were issued for the 2008-2009hunting season. A total of 98 desert bighorn hunt-ing permits have been issued since the Texas Legislature reinstated bighorn hunting in 1988.

Utah – The desert bighorn sheep population is relatively stable. Approximately 2,700 animals are estimated within Utah’s borders. The overallpopulation of the state is made up of 21 separatepopulations. Most of the populations are on publicland and under the management authority of theState of Utah, 3 populations are within NationalPark boundaries and one population is on Navajotribal land. 16 of the 21 populations are stable, 3are increasing and one is decreasing.

Utah’s Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep populationis increasing. This is a result of multiple transplantsinto vacant habitat. Approximately 2,360 animalsare estimated within Utah’s borders. The overallpopulation of the state is made up of 16 separatepopulations. Most of these populations are on pub-lic land, except for one population that is withinthe Dinosaur National Monument boundaries, onepopulation on Ute tribal land and one populationon Antelope Island State Park. Five of the 16 popu-lations are stable, 7 are increasing and 4 aredecreasing.

The state reports were followed by technical sessions (some of which are listed below):

WAFWA – Formed in 1922, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies(WAFWA) is an organization representing the fish and wildlife management agencies in 23 states, provinces and territories in the western U.S. and Canada. Of those 23 jurisdictions, 19(excluding Hawaii, Kansas, Oklahoma andSaskatchewan) have, and manage, a wild sheepresource. As has been done periodically over thepast 2+ decades by WAFWA agency directors forother important fish and wildlife species (e.g., sagegrouse, mule deer, western native trout, mountainlions, prairie dogs, neo-tropical migrant birds), a Wild Sheep Working Group (WSWG) was estab-lished in January 2007, to provide a comprehen-sive, west-wide assessment of all facets of wildsheep management. The history, composition, purpose, accomplishments to date, plannedactions/strategies, expected outputs, and timelinesof the WSWG were presented to Desert BighornCouncil meeting attendees.

Fire History – Mature chaparral vegetation in theSan Gabriel Mountains, California, resulting fromlong fire-return intervals (50-70 years), has resultedin reduced visibility and availability and quality offorage, all of which are important attributes ofbighorn sheep habitat. Concomitantly, vegetationchanges have decreased availability and quality for-age. A resource-selection model was developed todetermine the effect of fire history on springtimehabitat use by bighorn sheep, examined byhypotheses that habitat selection was associatedwith fire occurrence, and determined whether fireoccurrence influenced the amount of potentialhabitat available to bighorn sheep. The best modelindicated that bighorn sheep in the San GabrielMountains selected vegetation that had burnedwithin 15 years and avoided areas that had notburned within that time frame. Based on habitatselection patterns, the results suggest that restora-tion of bighorn sheep to their historical distribu-tion in chaparral ecosystems will depend uponmore frequent fires.

Effects of Fire and Rain – During a 30-year periodin Southern California’s San Gabriel Mountainspopulation estimates of bighorn sheep ranged fromapproximately 740 in 1980, to approximately 130in 1995, and approximately 292 in 2006. Thesepopulation changes were hypothesized to have



been associated with fire history and mountainlion predation. This retrospective analysis describesthe mechanisms that appear to have affected theobserved population changes. Form 1976-1989 theamount of winter-spring range <15 years post-firewas correlated with population estimates, includ-ing a 29% population decline after 1982. Popula-tion increases in bighorn sheep after 1995 werealso correlated with an increase in winter-springrange <15 years post-fire. Consistent increase inlamb recruitment rates after wildfires were notobserved; however, the exponential rates ofincrease were higher on two burned ranges com-pared to unburned ranges during that period. Thebighorn sheep population declined during 1990-1992 compared to 1985-1989. The reduction inadult mule deer survival was preceded by a chronicdecline in mule deer associated with fewer acresburned and an abrupt decline in fawn recruitmentduring 1989-1990 which was correlated with belownormal precipitation. It is hypothesized that thedecline in mule deer during 1982-1989 followed bylower fawn production, reduced preferred prey formountain lions and they sought alternative prey,such as adult mule deer and bighorn sheep.

Wildlife Crossings – Highway construction canaffect desert bighorn sheep populations by increas-

ing habitat fragmentation and isolation which canimpede access to critical habitats, increase effectsof stochastic events and reduce gene flow. Withrapid expansion of road networks in desert bighornsheep habitat, and use of high animal fencingalong roads to reduce wildlife/vehicle collisions,the need for proper design and placement of cross-ing structures becomes imperative to allow for animal movement. With the realignment andimprovement of State Route 68 between Kingmanand Bullhead City, Arizona, 3 design features(underpasses) were incorporated to facilitate movement of bighorn sheep. To evaluate the effectiveness of the underpasses 25 desert bighornsheep were fitted with GPS radio telemetry collarsand tracked movements for 23 months. To evalu-ate use of underpasses by all ungulates, 5 remotetriggered cameras were installed at each underpass.There were 24 documented crossing events bydesert bighorn sheep (31 individuals). Most (90%)of the crossings by bighorn occurred at the eastern-most underpass. There were three highway cross-ings by bighorn at the westernmost underpass andno crossings at the remaining underpass. Wild burros (52%), mule deer (4%) and humans (37%)were seen more often than bighorn sheep at theunderpasses. Proximity to steep terrain, sight ability, underpass structure, and presence of otherspecies may all be important factors affectingdesert bighorn sheep use of highway underpasses.

Chungo Creek OutfittersGreg Kristoff

Box 32 NordeggAlberta, Canada T0E [email protected]

(403) 844-3368www.travelnordegg.com/chungocreek

CA DFGSacramento, CA [email protected]

Black Dog OutfittersDarren PuetzP.O. Box 2364

Idaho Falls, ID [email protected]

208.523.0355

Arctic Rivers Guide ServiceJake Jacobson

4010 Woodland DriveKodiak, AK [email protected]

907.486.5253www.huntfish.us



Born to HuntToby CilliersPO Box 423

Humansdorp 6300 South [email protected]

27.83.286.4733www.bornhunt.co.za

Archery OnlyWayne Piersol

37300 Cedar Blvd, Suite CNewark, CA 94560

510-795-0460http://www.archeryonly.net

Blackfeet Nation Fish & WildlifeBrowning, MT [email protected]

AR Hunting ConsultantAbed Radwan

PO Box 141444Anchorage, AK 99514

[email protected]

www.ibexman.com

Nocturnal Movements – Desert bighorn sheep areknown to visit water sources at night and are oftenreported to be in different locations at dawn thanwhere they bedded at sunset, but because the diffi-culty of collecting location data at night, little elseis known about nocturnal movements. Desertbighorn sheep were collared in the Muddy Moun-tains of southern Nevada. We derived nocturnalmovement distances between locations sevenhours apart (2100 and 0400 PST). Over a one yearperiod, movement distances ranged from <20 m to>41000 m per night for females and <20 m to>7100 m per night for males. Desert bighorn sheepmoved <50 m between 2100 and 0400 PST in 47%(females) and 29% (males) of the nights sampledthroughout the one year period of the study. Theanalysis of mean nocturnal movement distancerevealed significant differences between males andfemales, three lunar phases (<33%, 34-66%, and67-100% luminosity), and seasons of the year (January – March, April – June, July – September,and October – December). In multivariate analyses,the effect of sex was always significant. Malesalways moved further than females. Lunar lumi-nosity was also consistently significant in affectingmovement, with one exception. Mean movementof both sexes was always significantly less whenthe moon was down (<33% luminosity) comparedto periods of time with intermediate luminosity orfull moon. The exception to this pattern occurred

in April-June when average movement of femalesdid not differ with respect to luminosity. Meanmovement distance and the range of long distancemovements changed through the years for malesand females. Animals moved greater distances nocturnally during the hot months of summerthan at other times of the year. Average distancemoved per night was lowest in April – June formales and females (154.8 and 79.5 m, respective-ly). In contrast, distance moved was greatest in July– September with a disproportionate increase inmale movements compared to females (440.1 and148.5 m). Displacement distances were reduced tointermediate levels for both sexes in November –March. Both males and females made relativelylong distance nocturnal movements to the nearbyBlack Mountains. Movement distances between theBlack and Muddy Mountains ranged from 2,794 mto 4,701 m for males and from 1,258 m to 3,414 mfor females. Movement to water was the largest reason for nocturnal movement.

GIS Mapping – Wild sheep transplant records arebeing compiled for a Geographic Information Sys-tem (GIS) map database system that will provide avaluable framework and an historic record forfuture genetic review, population implications,possible disease analysis, and other managementstrategies relative to wild sheep transplants acrossthe western U.S. and Canada. D


A recent article (12 August 2009) in The Press-Enterprise, by reporter Janet Zimmerman and titled as above (http://www.pe.com/local-news/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_guzzlers12.469eda4.hml) detailed the dedicationand effort of volunteers working on behalf ofbighorn sheep in the deserts of southeastern California. That article was well-written, and emphasized the personal commitment of many conservationists to maintaining or enhancing conditions for those large ungulates. For the pastseveral years, those volunteers have, out of necessity,undertaken the responsibility for tasks that formerlywere overseen and funded largely by the CaliforniaDepartment of Fish and Game. I convey that infor-mation with no small amount of credibility, as I wasfor 8 years (the best years of my career, incidentally)the Project Leader for Federal Aid in WildlifeRestoration Project W-26-D, a program that empha-sized habitat enhancement for desert bighorn sheep,from 1978-1986.

At one time there were 3.5 positions assigned to that Federal Aid Project in the deserts of south-eastern California, a number that since 1986 haswithered to less than one full-time position. To thebest of my knowledge, Federal Aid Project W-26-D is no longer extant in California. Currently, ConradJones works as closely as his time allows with those volunteers, but he has a multitude of otherresponsibilities.

Ms. Zimmerman’s article aptly reflected the passion and concern that volunteers have for conservation and, specifically, for bighorn sheep.That dedication, and their commitment to conserva-tion, was recognized almost immediately by fourindividuals that provided largely positive commentson Ms. Zimmerman’s article, and who seemed torecognize the potential value of the work shedescribed. One individual noted that the complexi-ties associated with access to wilderness areas havemade conservation activities more difficult; he orshe also emphasized the importance of hands-onmanagement, rather than a hands-off, let naturetake her own course, approaches to conservation.Another person questioned the costs associated withsuch developments ($40,000 does seem a bit high,but when aircraft costing approximately $1,000/hour are involved, the work-site is 300 miles fromthe hangar, and 20-30 loads of equipment and partsmust be transported in and out, costs add up in ahurry). A third contributor simply thanked thoseinvolved for their efforts on behalf of the critters.

The fourth writer acknowledged that wildlifewater developments can be “potentially beneficial incertain instances” and noted that the application ofgood science and up-to-date designs are desirablewhen attempting “to manage natural systems.” Heemphasized the importance of connectivity amongpopulations of bighorn sheep to the continued viability of that species, and called for efforts toreestablish opportunities for genetic exchange wheresuch have been disrupted, both of which are veryimportant considerations, but did not emphasizethat the “natural conditions” of an ideal world nolonger exist. He also noted the unfortunate loss of alarge number of bighorn sheep at a wildlife waterdevelopment in 1995, the result of botulism poison-ing that occurred after several animals fell into awater storage tank (without a lid) and drowned. Thedecaying carcasses created an environment ripe forthe culture of Clostridium botulinum (which is ubiqui-tous in the environment), and at least 46 animalsperished primarily as a result of drinking water tainted with botulinum toxin.

Appropriately designed water developments,reestablishment of connectivity, and good scienceare all important parts of the conservation programs

SOME THOUGHTS ON “WATER DISPENSARIES KEEPMOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP ALIVE”

By Vernon C. Bleich


advocated by the volunteers described the article, aspointed out. Nevertheless, the same individual notedthat advocates of artificial watering devices, or “guz-zlers” did not mention the “significant problems”(in this case, botulism) that can sometimes occur.Implicit in his description of the loss of a large num-ber of bighorn sheep is the notion that such eventsare associated only with artificial watering devices,and those reading his comments were, unfortunate-ly, left with that message. In reality, conditions suit-able for development of botulism and subsequentpoisoning of bighorn sheep have been noted widelyin the literature, the vast majority of which haveinvolved natural, and not man-made, sources of surface water.

The volunteers profiled in Ms. Zimmerman’sarticle were, in large part, members of the Societyfor the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep or the Cali-fornia Chapter of the Foundation for North Ameri-can Wild Sheep (or both), who have long empha-sized the importance of science to conservation,who have continuously sought to design more effi-cient and dependable wildlife water developments,have developed and applied remote sensing meth-ods and even satellite technology to monitor thestatus of those developments, and championed theimportance of inter-population connectivity to theviability of bighorn sheep populations. Indeed, therole of connectivity and its importance to persis-tence of bighorn sheep is not a new idea, and itsapplication to bighorn sheep has its origins in apaper that I, and co-authors Orlando Schwartz andStephen Holl, published in 1986, more than 20years ago. Since publication of that paper, the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep (and many others interested in the conservation of those large ungulates) have been staunch advo-cates of maintaining opportunities for movementsby those large ungulates among the desert moun-tain ranges of California. Recent contributions byDr. Clint Epps and his colleagues, which may havebeen what the writer’s comment was in reference to, have again brought the consequences of frag-mentation and disruption of connectivity to theforefront of bighorn sheep conservation. Indeed,volunteers from the Society that are described byMs. Zimmerman are acknowledged by Epps et al. for their contributions to their work.

The Society for the Conservation of BighornSheep and, since its incorporation six years ago theCalifornia Chapter of the Foundation for NorthAmerican Wild Sheep, have played prominent rolesand have advocated for habitat conservation, habitatenhancements, reestablishment of populations inareas from which they have been extirpated, and

maintenance of connectivity among populations of wild sheep. These organizations, through theirdedicated memberships, will continue to play piv-otal roles in conserving a species that has faced, andcontinues to face, many challenges to its persistence.

A couple of other points seem also to warrantcomment. Unless the statement was taken out ofcontext, I seriously question the validity of thenotion attributed to one volunteer that “thousandsof guzzlers [i.e., wildlife water developments] wouldbe ideal.” Such a situation would be an impossibilityto manage. Further, the statement that “big-gamedrinkers” have resulted in viable populations cannotbe inferred at the scale of the landscape; not all populations are viable. Nonetheless, there is evi-dence that populations have increased, and as aresult may be less prone to extirpation in someareas, as a result of man-made water developmentsthat provide a critically important resource duringdrought, and may facilitate colonization of formerlyuninhabited areas.

The list of factors that have contributed to thedecline of bighorn sheep in California included“hunting.” In reality, it was unregulated killing, ormarket hunting, that contributed to the loss of somepopulations but readers are, unfortunately, left withthe impression that highly regulated sport hunterswere, in part, responsible. Whether or not the state-ment that, “A lot of times rams will find a place theyknow” when they are ready to die has any founda-tion is questionable. It is probable, though, that anyanimal in poor condition (and potentially neardeath) is not apt to expend energy to move to anunfamiliar area.

Another interviewee stated that, “They are usually putting them [wildlife water developments]in wilderness areas, which means putting in a roadand construction in wilderness.” The vast majorityof wildlife water developments already had beenconstructed prior to designation of the more than 70 wilderness areas by the Desert Protection Act of1994; since enactment of that legislation, only onewildlife water development has been constructed ina wilderness area. Moreover, almost all of the watersources developed for bighorn sheep prior to 1994 are accessible only on foot, and constructionmaterials were transported to those locations viahelicopter. Consequently, no new roads have beenbuilt in wilderness areas.

The individual that raised the issue of “construction” in wilderness also objected to theinstallation of water sources as a method to increasebighorn herds for hunting. Hunting opportunity is a by-product of successful conservation, but it



Excerpted from three articles by Peter Kummerfeldt,Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape TrainingDirector at the U.S. Air Force Academy

Altitude Sickness, often called Mountain Sickness, isserious stuff. [Editors Note: I have friends who arein great shape and have had trouble, and others notin good shape get along fine. That in itself if a bitscary. It means the only way to know how you willreact to altitude — is to spend time at altitude!]

Initial or Early Symptoms of Altitude Sicknessinclude:

� Headache� Inability to sleep

The most serious form of altitude sickness is HighAltitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). With HAPE thevictim’s lungs fill with fluid and death results fromsuffocation! Signs to look for include:

� Feeling of Suffocation� Cough� Headache� Loss of appetite� Irrational Behavior� Confusion, delirium

Reducing the chance of Altitude Sickness (includingHAPE):� Get in Shape� Maintain your pH balance (Rolaids anti-acid)� Stay hydrated� Stay fueled (Eat)� Don’t push it the first day or two, acclimategradually (I know this is not always possible)� Use Diamox if you are going to be at 13,000feet or above (which is possible right here in CA!).

If you get altitude sickness, get to a lower elevation!

Editor’s note: If you will be hunting above 10,000feet, which is possible right here in CA, be smart andtalk with others in CA FNAWS who have done it. D

HIGH ALTITUDE TIPS THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFEBy Mike J. Borel

certainly has not been the motivation for enhancingbighorn sheep populations. The impacts of habitatfragmentation, extirpations of populations, and dis-ruptions of connectivity are, though, rationales formanaging populations of bighorn sheep andenhancing their habitat to the extent practical.Increasing hunting opportunity has never been theimpetus for development of water sources.

The most important message regarding bighornsheep is embodied in the statement that, “We’vemanipulated the environment almost everywhere, sowe now have to continue to manage it. You can’tjust sit back and say we’re going to let it go back tonature, now that we have isolated them into tinyislands with highways. If you don’t [actively managefor conservation], they will disappear.”

All parties purporting to have an interest in theconservation of bighorn sheep and other desertwildlife need to acknowledge that no places remainpristine, that human activities have largely modifiedhuge expanses of the American Southwest, and thatactive (and sometimes intensive) efforts must, out ofnecessity, be employed to conserve or restore func-

tioning ecosystems. Assuming (or pretending) thatwilderness areas represent such systems is folly; onlypeople working cooperatively, regardless of their per-sonal opinions, will result in the strategies andaccomplishments necessary to ensure that bighornsheep continue to exist as an integral component ofdesert ecosystems. That point also was emphasizedin one of the comments on Ms. Zimmerman’s article.

In the now infamous words of Rodney King,“Can’t we all get along?” For the sake of bighornsheep, we must! D

Dr. Vern Bleich is a wildlife biologist that was employedby the California Department of Fish and Game for 34years and is now living in North Dakota (where the win-ter of 2009 continues). Conservation of mountain sheephas always been at the forefront of his professional activ-ities and, even in retirement, he remains actively involvedin that issue. Individuals interested in issues related tolandscape-level conservation of bighorn sheep can requestreprints of a number of papers from Vern [email protected].


CA FNAWS423 Broadway #617Millbrae, CA 94030

w w w . c a f n a w s . o r g

COMPENSATING FOR SHOT ANGLE

by Mike J. Borel

The purpose of this information is to make accurate shooting, uphill or downhill, at any angle possible, whether theweapon is bow or rifle. The key distance for a bullet or arrow is the horizontal distance. It matters not a bit whether theangle is uphill or downhill – that myth has been “busted.” If you know your arrow’s or bullet’s trajectory on the level,then all you have to figure is the horizontal distance to your target.

Here is the process/tools/rules of thumb that I use:

• Any angle less than 20 degrees (up or down) can be considered a level shot!• @ 30 degrees the horizontal distance is 8/10 (80%) of the line of sight distance.• @ 45 degrees the horizontal distance is 2/3 (67%) of the line of sight distance.• @ 60 degrees the horizontal distance is 1/2 (50%) of the line of sight distance.

Anything in between the above segments can be rounded to one of these.

So how is that? It’s not much to remember!

If you need help figuring the angle, a $10 or less angle finder from the local hardware store will do the job — butguessing these angles is pretty easy and plenty accurate in my experience.

Angle compensation rangefinders are available to do this for you automatically, and I’ve owned two. It’s a great idea,but to be useful they have to rangefind when you need them to. The two I’ve owned didn’t like shadows or modestlyreflective targets (including game animals!). I’m back to a regular rangefinder (Leica) that works 95 times out of 100, andleaves it to me to figure out the impact of angle. Whether you have an angle compensating rangefinder or not, knowingthe basics will keep you effective, even when your rangefinder quits on you!

Hunt hard, Aim well, Shoot straight and Kill your game cleanly.

california wild sheepcawsf.org/pdf/cafnaws - fall 2009 - web.pdf · bryanston rsa 2021 south africa...

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