Alt image
Stacks Image 39

Putting and Keeping Sheep on the Mountain Since 2002

Please note: California law currently prohibits posts advertising or marketing of firearms to youths under 18. We will refrain from such posts or photos of youth at this time.

Latest News

Title
Body maybe with link
Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) Conservation Funding Through 2023
The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) recent undertook a comprehensive report on how they spent all conservation funds from their inception in 1983 through the end of calendar 2023. Results.
Old Dads Vermin Water Haul
This legacy water development consists of three (3) upright plastic tanks manifolded to a “New Mexico” style drinker box. Rainwater is collected in a slick rock canyon check dam and then piped to the tanks. While many areas of the Mojave desert received rain last season, the Vermin system did not collect enough water to fill completely. Read more.
CDFW Surveys White Mountains - Fall 2023
The White Mountains hold many sheep, but even more terrain to glass. It takes a lot of work to accurately count the desert sheep that make this mountain range their home. Read more.
Drinkers in Action - R12 Little Fargo Near Joshua Tree National Park
This guzzler has been around over 20 years. Rain hauls were required to keep it functional during drought years. Read more
Sheep Capture and Release in the Panamint Mountains
After being fitted with collars, the sheep were flown back to where they were originally captured and released.
Read more about the Bighorn Sheep Capture in the Panamint Mountains
WCB Funds I-8 Wildlife Crossing
A victory for sheep conservation. New release: WCB Funds I-8 Wildlife Crossing
Sky Valley Ecological Reserver Drinker Repairs
Drinkers require routine maintenance, especially for the wildlife that have grown to rely on them as a consistent water source. Read more.
Sheep Summit 2023
Our yearly sheep summits continue to increase cooperation between public and private organizations and focus on sheep success. See what went on at CALIFORNIA WILD SHEEP SUMMIT XXXIII 33, DEC 1, 2023
Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery
For the second consecutive year, the range-wide Sierra bighorn population increased, reaching 277 females.
Annual Report Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Recovery, 2021-22.
2022 Celebration of Conservation
2022 Celebration of Conservation. You are invited!
Fire Impact in San Gabriel Mountains on Bighorn Sheep
Interesting new report available on the impact of the recent fires in the San Gabriel Mountains on Bighorn sheep. By Venon C. Bleich.

The critically important role of fire in chaparral ecosystems is well known, and its role in producing and maintaining abundant, high-quality forage for mule deer and other ruminants has long been recognized. Not only are bighorn sheep occupying the chaparral of Southern California the recipients of nutritional benefits associated with fires, but they also benefit from the openness of vegetation created by fires.

Talk is Sheep
This video, Talk is Sheep, will really help you learn a lot more about sheep horns and aging your ram. Find out more.
What Next For Wildlife Conservation?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2020

Even though pandemic uncertainties continue to drag along without a lot of reliable information, the immediate future of wildlife conservation and the systems that support it will rest upon the decisions we make today. WSF President and CEO, Gray N. Thornton, put a few of these decisions into perspective in this new video.
Wild Sheep Foundation — North American Conservation Vision 2020
The WSF Conservation Vision 2020 is one of our most important documents. It reflects the very essence of WSF’s combined Mission Statement (Vision, Purpose, Mission, Values), and prioritizes how WSF resources will be applied to year 2020 to drive wild sheep conservation and management in North America.
See North American Conservation Vision 2020 for more.
MULTIBRIEFS: Exclusive — COVID-19 and the wild sheep decline: An interesting parallel
When Lewis and Clark set out on their epic expedition, there were around 2 million wild sheep in North America. By 1900, there were fewer than 25,000, according to some estimates.

And while it would be easy to blame it on unregulated hunting and market killing, which no doubt had some impact, by far the biggest killer was pneumonia.

Read the rest of the story
CA Wild Sheep Foundation says proposed Soda Mountain Solar Project will jeopardize wildlife populations
The freeways across our deserts have fragmented what was once a continuous network of interconnected bighorn sheep populations. Bechtel’s proposed Soda Mountain Solar Project along Interstate 15 would likely add another nail in the coffin of these sheep by precluding the re-establishment of a critical migration corridor across Interstate 15 that could reconnect bighorn sheep populations on either side. Bechtel’s project along I- 15 would likely add “another nail in the coffin” to wild sheep unless modifications are made. Pending legislation may help wildlife. Read more.
Bighorn Sheep: Conservation Challenges & Management Strategies for the 21st Century
Published by the Wild Sheep Working Group of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, July 2014. Learn more.

Chapter News

2023 Election Results
CA Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) is pleased to welcome some new leadership to the team, thank those who have served out their terms, and present our officers selected from within the newly constituted board. See the details.
I-8 Peninsular Bighorn Sheep Crossing Project Update
CA WSF and BHA as well as other conservation groups are working on this to encourage the CA legislature to provide funding for the “I-8 Peninsular Bighorn Sheep Crossing Project” which will keep more sheep safe. The area of concern at the border of San Diego county is one of the most problematic barriers to wildlife movement. Read the story here.
Why did the sheep cross the road?
You can also read the letter sent here.
Governor Signs CA WSF Sponsored SB 370 (Dodd): Big Game Management Account
Thank you once again for your willingness to co-sponsor SB 370 (Dodd) – legislation which expressly clarifies that CDFW may enter into agreements with for-profits, non-profits and federally recognized Indian tribes to deliver important programs and projects that promote California’s wild sheep and other big game species and their public hunting opportunity.  I am pleased to let you know that the Governor signed your SB 370 into law earlier today. 

Please know that CDFW leadership was quick to call me this afternoon and let me know how appreciative they are for CA WSF’s good work on this bill and the significant positive impact the bill’s passage will have on California’s Big Game Program.

Bill Gaines, Principal
Desert Sheep Hunt Tickets
Brightline West High-Speed Rail Wildlife Overpass Update
The debate continues regarding the need and funding for this important project. Please read a recent letter making the case for Administrator Bose here.
Episode 6 of Sheep Fever Podcast - A New Look at an Old Problem (Rocky Crate Chair)- Live Now!
For this episode of Sheep Fever, WSF President and CEO Gray Thornton and Vice President of Conservation Kevin Hurley visit with Kate Huyvaert DVM, the new Rocky Crate chair at Washington State University's School of Veterinary Medicine. We've learned most of what we know about diseases and die-offs in wild sheep and what can be done from this think tank and research facility, which WSF and others have been supporting for years. While we've gotten pretty good at putting wild sheep on the Mountain, keeping them there has been a struggle in some areas. Dr. Huyvaert gives us insights on new research and emerging technologies she and her team are working on, including a more reliable animal-side test for diseases.

Access each episode here.
Episode 5 of Sheep Fever Podcast Featuring The Original Hunt Adviser - Jack Atcheson, Jr. - Live Now!
So, you want to go sheep hunting? If there is one man who has seen it all in North America and internationally, its Jack Atcheson, Jr. Gray and Jack have a candid conversation about wild sheep hunting through the ages and where we are headed today.
 
Jack Jr. has followed in his father's footsteps as a booking agent out of Butte, Montana. Between them, they have put more people on their first and last sheep hunts than anyone. This is insider information we're all lucky to have.

Access each episode here.
2022 Board Changes
The election results for 2022 are available. We're excited to have old and new faces committed to leading the organization into the future.
2022 Celebration of Conservation
2022 Celebration of Conservation. You are invited!
Spring 2022 Presidents Message
Make sure to read the Presidents Spring 2022 Update
CA WSF has joined a coalition in opposition to AB 1223.
Assembly Member Marc Levine (D/10-Marin) has introduced AB 1223 – legislation which would impose an additional excise tax of $25 on the sale of new handguns and semiautomatic long guns and a yet to be determined excise tax on the sale of all ammunition, and require the revenue be used to fund programs to address the effects illegal firearm use has on California’s families and communities. Although all of California’s public benefit from programs which address the impacts of illegal gun violence, AB 1223 would place the entire burden of funding these efforts on the backs of law-abiding hunters and shooters. This legislation would also negatively impact California’s wildlife and hunting opportunity by driving up the cost of guns and ammunition and, in turn, reducing their sales and the annual Pittman-Robertson revenues made available to CDFW for wildlife conservation and management.
CA WSF is Putting and Keeping Sheep on the Mountain.
One of our staunch and long term supporters and leaders — Mike Borel — Represents us very well in a video ranging over a wide variety of sheep related topics, and emphasizing the value of GALAD. Please check it out, share and comment to raise awareness.
Read About a Drinker Refill Effort
CA WSF continues the mission. Read about the part you played in the Anza-Borrego Water Haul. Keeping sheep on the mountain!
Predator vs. Sheep Videos Available
CA WSF has contributed to studies of predator-prey relationships involving mountain lions and mountain sheep. Check out some videos! The second video covers some details of the pneumonia effecting our sheep.
After you check out these videos, please give them a like to let the world know there are people out there who care about these issues.
2019 Oregon State University Report
CA WSF project report from Oregon State University available.
Planning for More Drinkers
CA WSF together with Society for Conservation of Bighorn Sheep plans for ninety additional Raincatcher Wildlife Water Systems

Conservation News

Gray Wolves
  • Gray Wolf Delisting - SCI And USFWS Celebrate Historic Recovery And Delisting Of Gray Wolves After 45 years of protection, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced today its decision to delist the gray wolf from the list of threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This decision is unequivocally based on the best available science, including both recent and historical information regarding wolf numbers and distribution in the contiguous U.S. One of America’s greatest conservation success stories is finally receiving the recognition and celebration it deserves.
Mountain Lions vs. California's Wild Sheep
Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) Foundation Video
  • What Next for Wildlife Conservation? Exciting new video from Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) President and CEO, Gray N. Thornton.
Do You Want to Hunt Tahr Someday?
10-Year Wild Sheep Study
Conservation and Wilderness

Mountain Hunting News

SHEEP FEVER Podcast Series is now Live!
SHEEP FEVER is the official podcast of the Wild Sheep Foundation, delivering a diversity of topics, talent, and insights from within the wild sheep hunting and conservation community, as well as broader issues of importance to the outdoor lifestyles and hunting heritage cherished by millions of sportsmen and women around the globe. New episodes will be available every two weeks or twice per month.

Access each episode from our website or download them to your mobile device from any popular podcast apps, including Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, Stitcher, Spotify. or Google Podcast.
Brightline West Wildlife Impact
Please read and consider "A Call for More Nuanced Dialogues About Trophy Hunting", Mitchell et al. from The Journal of Wildlife Management. This is a thoughtful introspection into trophy hunting and it may help you clarify your thoughts, or be useful to share with others.

Sheep News

More Ways to Make a Difference
Significant Wild Sheep Book Details
  • YETI and the Wild Sheep Foundation are pleased to present WILD SHEEP, a spectacularly illustrated book on an iconic species, the unspoiled high countries they live in, and the men and women captivated by their existence. Get the details here.
Sheep Horns and Age
  • This video, Talk is Sheep, will really help you learn a lot more about sheep horns and aging rams. Find out more.
Translocating Mountain Goats Works

Translocating mountain goats works! From Peninsula Daily News: "A science experiment conducted in real time, the translocation of mountain goats from the Olympic Mountains to the Cascade Range has provided federal and state biologists with a number of initial takeaways on whether the agile ungulates are gaining a proper foothold in their new habitats or simply scrambling for purchase." I think we can all agree that more goats in more places is a very good thing! Read the full article.

Hunt Wild Sheep in Nebraska
  • Did you know you could hunt wild mountain sheep, in… Nebraska? Neither did we. You might want to put this on your radar or in your application strategy for future years. We all need to get lucky and draw a tag somewhere, right? More information on Nebraska big game hunting and sheep permit lottery here.
National Desert Wildlife Refuge, Nevada
Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) Funded Documentary
Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) National Long Term Vision
Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) & Mongolia
2002 - 2020 California Wild Sheep Foundation
CA FNAWS, doing business as California Wild Sheep Foundation or CA WSF, is a nonprofit organization and donations may be tax deductible. CA FNAWS tax identification number is 68-0481140.

Please mail donations to CAWSF, 1630 Williams Hwy #151, Grants Pass, OR. 97527.
Important Current Sheep News