Wild Sheep Facts

THE HARDER WE WORK, the better the numbers.

WAFWA Wild Sheep Working Group Numbers for Montana

Jurisdiction Wild Sheep Population Estimate
RMBS/CABHS 1990 2000 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Montana 5,200 5,820 6,370 5,100 5,000 5,100 6,650 6,650 6,450
Jurisdiction Total Ram Licenses Issued/Harvested
RMBS/CABHS 1990 2000 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Montana 624/79 321/118 151/136 128/128 123/120 119/111 119/119 122/131 126/130
Jurisdiction Total Ewe Licenses Issued/Harvested
RMBS/CABHS 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Montana 100/45 107/66 114/71 123/87 159/131

Notes: 1990 & 2000 Hunter #s include “Unlimited Area” OTC license buyers; 2014 Pop. Estimate includes all BHS located within the boundaries of the State. Ram licenses in the 5 unlimited areas was 252 in 2015 and 206 in 2016.  Special Tendoy bighorn licenses were 314 in 2015 and 50 in 2016

Montana Wild Sheep Report 2017

download the pdf: MT-SheepReport_2017

Wild Sheep Statistical Maps

Distribution historically and current [2012]
BHS range in Montana
BHS density by county Montana 2017

BHS Imported into Montana 1922 and 1947

BHS Exported from Montana 1939-2013

Sheep facts provided by:

Know Your Unit

Bighorn sheep herd population estimates for 2014
HD Est. Pop. Name
100 85 Kootenai Falls
101 25 Ural-Tweed
102 50 Galton Range
121 65 North Clark Fk.
122 110 Cabinet Mtns.
124 325 Paradise
203 140 Petty Creek
210 140 John Long Range
212 40 Garrison
213 100 South Flint Range
216 210 West Rock Creek
250 90 West Fk. Bitterroot
261 40 Skalkaho
270 130 East Fk. Bitterroot
283 25 Lower Blackfoot
300 55 Gallatin-Yellowstone
301 165 Spanish Peaks
302 280 Hilgards
303 35 South Absaroka
304 40 Hyalite
305 90 South Yellowstone
315 50 Tendoy Mtns.
340 75 Highland
380 45 Radersburg
381 65 Sleeping Giant
421/422/
423/424/
441
600 Deep Creek/Castle Reef/
Gibson Lake N./Ford Cr/
N. Fk. Birch Cr. – Teton
455 100 Gates of the Mtns.
482 545 Fergus
500 140 Boulder
501 140 Beartooth Mtns.
502 45 Hellroaring
503 140 Pryor Mtns.
620 75 Little Rockies
622 380 Middle Missouri Breaks
680 645 Chouteau-Blaine-Phillips
Others: 150 Wildhorse Island
195 Bison Range
35 Hog Heaven
35 Birdtail Hills
50 Greenhorns
50 Blue Hills
110 Rocky Boy
90 YNP
550 GNP
 TOTAL 6650

Our members feel like one of the major benefits of being a part of Montana WSF is receiving current information on Montana’s wild sheep.

I am a member to support research & control of sheep diseases, to protect habitat.

Gordon Beebe, Montana WSF Member since 2010

One of the benefits of being a member is remaining informed regarding Montana efforts in maintaining sheep habitat.

John R. Jacobson, Montana WSF Member since 1994

One of the benefits of membership is staying informed about sheep issues in Montana – WE NEED MORE BIGHORNS!

Richard Lewallen, Montana WSF Member since 2007

I am a member to help enhance and preserve bighorn sheep & hunting through project financing.

Robert Jackson, Montana WSF Member since 1995