The population continues to be strong in Petty Creek. There are continued needs for thinning and weed control. Efforts in this regard are ongoing and being conducted by USFS. I have not received a response from biologist Kierstie Yaeger to report on the current status of wild sheep in her districts.

There have been no dramatic changes in population and no indication of any disease issues. I recommend MTWSF ask membership to help organize a citizen science count in the area. Conifer encroachment and noxious weeds are a major issue in traditional wild sheep habitat. The quality of forage for wildlife is depleted and treatments are necessary.

There is currently no hunting season in this area, but the wild sheep herd is growing and is robust. Local reports, photos, and video show a minimum of two eight year old rams in the 40 inch horn and 180 plus estimates. The ewes are seen to have healthy lambs at the side during the hunting season. This herd is estimated at over 100 now. It is recommended that MTWSF work with biologist Ryan Klimstra to take steps to create a ram opportunity in the Bonner area for one legal ram.

There have been no major changes in population or hunting opportunities in 2025. Weed mitigation is important to accomplish, especially on the recently acquired lambing ground adjoining the Blue Eyed Nelly area.

The FWP commission maintained one ram tag in the area. The area directly around Painted Rocks lake, Little Blue Joint, and Blue Joint creeks are historically where the wild sheep live and where hunters find them. There are only a few legal rams in this area, however there are many more wild sheep adjacent and connected to the painted rocks area which spend most of their time in the Nez Perce drainage. The FWP Commission decided to expand the 250 Wild Sheep unit to encompass more areas including the Nez Perce area. Hunters report seeing many adult legal rams in the Nez Perce area of 250. It is recommended that weed control and Nutrafix application be undertaken in the Blue Joint area to mitigate noxious weeds and improve the quality of forage in the area. Mountain lion predation continues to be an issue for herd health and lamb recruitment in the Blue joint and Painted rocks area. It is recommended that MTWSF work to purchase or encourage legal lion hunts in the area to reach the lion quota of 18 lions in area 250. It is recommended that the 250 Wild Sheep regulations be changed to state language that only allows for one legal ram to be take as the current regulations would allow for take of young rams. Biologist Rebecca Mowry likes the idea of using citizen science to get an accurate count of ewes, lambs and rams.

This herd continues to be strong, although there were isolated die offs this past spring. This area also needs thinning and noxious weed control. Continued education for the public on wild and domestic separation is greatly needed as new people move into the area. 5 rams were recently collared for a study. The 2025 count showed 31 lambs per 100 ewes.

Herd health and numbers are very good. It is reported that most ewes had lambs at the side during the 2025 hunting season. Hunter reported counting 120 sheep in one day and suspects there are many more. Hunter also reported seeing 25 rams that were in the six year old range. The age and size of adult rams looks to be in the 35 to 36 inch horn length range. No 40 inch rams reported. This hunting opportunity was increased to 6 rams. This herd could be used to augment area 250 as the two herds do commingle from time to time and they meet at Highway 93 near Sula. This was confirmed through GPS collar studies. The official FWP count was the highest wild sheep count ever recorded at 203 which is good news knowing they aren’t able to find and count all of the wild sheep.