Full Curl
The exploitation of the West pushed wild sheep into remnant ranges and decimated their numbers. But values are changing. For a growing number of people, just knowing that healthy bands of wild sheep are still a part of our natural heritage adds to the quality of their lives. Indeed, the sight of sheep is heart-pounding excitement, and providing memories for a lifetime and stories to tell grandchildren. Full Curl is your invitation to be a partner in management of wild sheep on your national forests.
NEW - Publication
A Review of Disease-related Conflicts Between Domestic Sheep and Goats and Bighorn Sheep
By Timothy J. Schommer and
Melanie M.Woolever, 2008
RMRS-GTR-209
Download pdf file 425 KB
Letter to Partners announcing the RMRS-GTR-209
(txt 1.97 KB) (pdf 23.7 KB)
Additional Publications
Research between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep and goats can lead to respiratory disease and fatal pneumonia in bighorn sheep.
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Sheep & Goats In the News
Mountain Goat Shot and Killed
in Tushar Mountains
9/11/08
Associated Press
BEAVER - The state Division of Wildlife Resources is investigating the shooting of a mountain goat with a large-caliber rifle in the Tushar Mountains.
The shooting, probably around Labor Day weekend, was out of season. The carcass of the male goat was left to rot.
An agency conservation manager, Lynn Chamberlain, says the shooter may have been on foot or on horseback in the Mount Holly area and would have been carrying a rifle when no rifle seasons were under way.
A reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
UT DWR ... more information
Full Curl Program Leader note:
The Tushar Mountains are located in Utah on the Fishlake National Forest, Beaver Ranger District.
Tushar Mountains/Fishlake NF
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We reviewed experimental methods and evidence regarding respiratory disease in bighorn sheep relative to domestic sheep and goats based upon the contact hypothesis and categorized by experimental approach. Although efforts to identify organisms causing pneumonia in bighorn sheep following contact with domestic sheep have identified multiple bacteria species, the complete range of mechanisms/causal agents leading to epizootic disease events are not completely understood. However, based upon the effect of disease transmission, spatial and/or temporal separation between domestic sheep and goats and bighorn sheep is prudent when the management objective is to maintain bighorn sheep populations.
NEW - Maps of Domestic Sheep and Bighorn Sheep
Thirteen downloadable state maps are posted on the following Forest Service FTP site. The maps reflect the work done in September and October, 2008.
Note: This FTP site is accessible outside the Forest Service. If you can't access it, try again later; access isn't always consistent.
ftp://ftp2.fs.fed.us/incoming/r2/bhs_state_pdfs
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Research and Inventory
Research and inventory must precede management to avoid costly mistakes. Research - studying the nature of sheep - determines their needs and why they are present in some areas and absent from others.
Inventories of occupied and vacant habitats help establish priorities for range restoration or restocking only. Keeping track of sheep with the aid of collars and radio transmitters helps biologists learn of their movements and home range needs.
Water
Sheep are absent from even the best forage and cover when
water is not available. Developing springs and installing
watering devices such as catch dams, holding tanks and "guzzlers"
are the kind of projects that volunteer partners make possible.
Goals of Full Curl
- Restore the quality and quantity of wild sheep
habitat to generate an increase of 150 percent in population
and 300 percent in recent recreational opportunities.
- Foster partnership, cooperation and understanding
among government bodies, private organizations, landowners
and the general public in support of wild sheep conservation.
- Provide opportunities to participate in habitat
restoration through volunteer efforts and financial contributions.
- Implement US. Forest Service plans to achieve
wild sheep management objectives.
Partnerships
Other partners in this program are the State wildlife agencies
of AK, AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, ND, NM, NV, OR, SD, WA, and WY.
- How you can be a Partner too!
You can also find locations for viewing wildlife, plants and fish through our NatureWatch 'Viewing Sites' website at "inature".
- Sheep Biology
- References & Publications
- A Review of Disease-related Conflicts Between Domestic Sheep and Goats and Bighorn Sheep; Schommer, Timothy J.; Woolever, Melanie M. 2008; RMRS-GTR-209
Download pdf file 425 KB
- A Process for Finding Management Solutions
to the Incompatibility Between Domestic and Bighorn Sheep;
Tom Schommer and Melanie Woolever; (white paper) August
2001;742 KB pdf
Download
pdf file
- Transmital Letter of the final Bighorn/Domestic
Sheep document;19 KB pdf
Download
pdf file
- Selenium/pH/Precipitation/Sheep Lamp Survival;
21.4 KB pdf
Download
pdf file
Learn More
You can find out more about Wild Sheep by contacting one
of these organizations:
Full Curl Coordinator for the Forest Service
Melanie
Woolever
USDA Forest Service
Renewable Resources Staff
PO Box 25127
Lakewood CO 80225
Phone: 303-275-5007
Fax: 303-275-5075
Email: mwoolever"at"fs.fed.us