Rocky Mountain Bighorns released in Mount Nebo Area

SPRINGVILLE — From fossils, rock art and skeletal remains found in prehistoric sites, and journals kept by early explorers, trappers and settlers, we know bighorn sheep were once abundant throughout Utah. Soon after the first explorers, the state's bighorn populations began to decline. Indiscriminate hunting, introduced diseases, competition for range and water, and the general deterioration of habitat caused by livestock and human exploitation caused bighorn numbers to plummet.

The first law protecting bighorn sheep was passed in 1876, when Utah was still a territory. Stricter laws followed before the turn of the century. Even with legal protection by the state of Utah, however, bighorn sheep numbers continued to decline from the combined effects of habitat alterations, disease, competition from domestic livestock and poaching.

By the 1930s, the number of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Utah was estimated at a few hundred survivors. By the 1950s, probably less than 100 survived, and by the 1970s biologists believed they were extirpated in Utah, except for a failing reintroduced herd in the Willard Peak area.

A remote area on Mount Nebo was the second place the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) tried to reintroduce Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

"In 1981, 27 bighorns were released and 21 more in 1982," said Jim Karpowitz, DWR big game coordinator. "By 1983, the herd was estimated at 55 head. It is generally agreed that the 1983-84 winter decimated the herd. In 1987, the herd was estimated at 12 to 15 animals and by 1994 it was down to 10. Hard winters, disease and predation were all listed as causes for the decline in numbers."

A partnership of state, federal and private organizations is ready to try Mount Nebo again.

"The habitat for bighorn sheep in the Nebo Unit of the Uinta National Forest has greatly improved since the 2001 Birch and Mollie fires," said Karen Hartman, wildlife biologist for the Uinta National Forest. "Bighorn sheep are indigenous to the area, and the Forest Service supports the DWR in their efforts to return bighorn sheep to the Nebo Unit."

"Several things have changed that made us want to try and reestablish bighorns on Mt. Nebo," Karpowitz said. "In addition to the extensive wild fires, natural succession has resulted in more grass and less shrubs on the west side of the mountain, creating better bighorn habitat. Harvest of cougars has been accelerated in preparation for the transplant,"

Another change is the livestock grazing system. The Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (FNAWS) has assisted the partnership in creating an environment with less competition and chances for acquiring an exotic disease. "We've been working with willing sellers and those interested in moving their livestock operation to another range," said Ryan Foutz, president of the Utah Chapter of FNAWS. "Mount Nebo is one of several places where we've been successful in negotiating a trade. It's been free of domestic sheep grazing now for a couple of years."

According to DWR habitat biologist Mark Farmer, future habitat enhancements are planned. "We are going to be improving habitat near the bighorn sheep transplant area during 2005," Farmer said. "The enhancements are part of the DWR Habitat Initiative and the partnerships we've formed with other land management agencies, agriculture and private organizations. These projects will not only benefit bighorn sheep but many other wildlife species as well.

"Some of these upcoming habitat projects will include green stripping, which creates two benefits: firebreaks and forage," Farmer said. "Green stripping near the interstate helps protect the rangeland from unplanned catastrophic fires, including those vital stands of remaining sagebrush so critical as deer winter range. The seeding mix includes grasses, forage kosia and other forbes which will provide some additional winter/spring forage for elk, deer and a variety of other wildlife. We will also be seeding degraded rangelands in the Nebo Wildlife Management Area with grasses and forbs to provide better forage for bighorns and other wildlife."

The science behind the transplants also has changed. Wildlife biologists believe part of the reason the Willard Peak and first Nebo reintroductions failed is the bighorn sheep were confined in large paddocks (enclosed areas).

"There is considerable evidence that a free release of bighorns will be more successful than the paddock releases on Nebo in 1981 and 1982," Karpowitz said. "Also, the new bighorns are from Montana and are accustomed to hard winters and deep snow."

Only time will tell if the biologists are correct. On Dec. 31, 2004, the DWR released 18 bighorn sheep onto the slopes of Mount Nebo. This time, the biologists believe they've got the right combination for a strong, healthy herd.

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