Bighorn sheep surveys have been conducted as a collaborative survey of the Northern Yellowstone Cooperative Wildlife Working Group (NYCWWG) in the upper Yellowstone area since 1991. They saw a total of 376 sheep (243 in Montana and 133 in YNP. They classified sheep by age and sex, resulting in 67 lambs, 198 ewes, and 111 rams. Across all wintering areas, the lamb per 100 ewe ratio was 33.8 (range 21.1 – 50, Table 2) and the ram per 100 ewe ratio was 56.1 Of the 111 rams observed, 30 were classified as 3/4 curl or greater. Welcome new! The bighorn herds north of Yellowstone Park are now one of Montana’s largest bighorn populations and largely native bighorns.

Unlimited permit. Winter range conditions are likely the single greatest threat to this area. Once again, the number of rams taken exceeded the harvest quota, also a sign of a robust bighorn sheep population. The new proxy option for using satellite communications to report hunter harvest of unlimited area bighorn sheep should push over harvest downward a key to extending unlimited bighorn permits. Reporting your sheep just after tagging can help us all enjoy over-the-counter bighorn hunting into the future. Wish List, better winter range conditions.

Late winter surveys 2025 were challenging and a poor count occurred, but the overall trend reports can give us confidence these bighorns are stable or on the increase like their neighbors. Winter ranges at high elevation and low are threatened by backcountry skiing increases and displacement to less productive winter habitats. Low altitude winter ranges have pine encroachment, weed/cheat grass and one of Montana’s busiest two-lane hwy. Wish List, Pines thinned and habitat improvement, user-based backcountry skier awareness program.

This herd was hit hard by our last hard winter but appears to be following the trend with the neighboring herds, more sheep. Julie Cunningham reported on Dec 23 “I just got back from a bighorn sheep survey in HD 302, which went well – many good rams out there today” There is a translocation of sheep from the Hebgen Lake area to the Bear Creek Game range in the works, when surplus 302 bighorns are available, a new nursery herd will be underway. MTWSF is also working on a proposal to return area 302 to an unlimited permit area once again. Perhaps an early unlimited season hunt and a late season draw, area 302 has the terrain that limits success even in the present draw only season. I can tell you it hurts to get to these rams in the early season! Wish List, 100 bighorns on the mountain and to buy a 302 unlimited permit area. I hunted bighorn here in 1965!

This season went well and sheep appear to be doing well. Winter ranges have pine encroachment and weed issues plus higher elk populations are spending more time in the upper Yellowstone valley year-round so competition with elk is real. Wish List- critical winter range assessment and remedies outlined.

This area was once an unlimited permit area, and the sheep population has been stable for many years; winter ranges have pine encroachment and weed issues along with the Big Sky Hwy gantlet. Wish List, critical winter range assessment and remedies outlined.

This area was once an unlimited permit area, and this herd of bighorns is one of Montana’s most viewable bighorn populations. They had some respiratory issues over the years. Now a drawing area their summer range is largely in the park but their winter range is split by a heavy traveled road, “Touran” a blend of “tourist” and moron, cheat grass and weeds along with large numbers of elk and bison make it had to be a healthy bighorn in winter. Wish List, critical winter range assessment and remedies outlined.

Will potentially reopen in 2027 if the population increase of bighorns continues. Jesse Newby wrote-Nov 21, “I went down Thursday to survey with an eye to check on rutting behavior and rams present. I counted 61 bighorn along the route along Big Sheep Creek. I couldn’t get into Hidden Pasture as far as I wanted without stepping on some hunters. Among those I counted were 24 lambs for 28 ewes and 3 uncollared rams that looked to be full curl. This looks very promising to me. I think we will likely be starting the conversation about opening it up to hunting at the next opportunity.” MTWSF has been discussing enlarging the borders of this hunting unit to expand bighorn management options for bighorn throughout this region of SW Montana. We are working on road signage now.

The work to collar as many bighorns as possible has told a tale in this district. There appears to be 3 sub-groups which likely are all visited by rams from each group. These sheep use a lot of country from summer to winter ranges. Two of the three winter ranges have busy roads, pine encroachment, cheat grass and weed issues. They share winter range with lots of elk, one of the herds is in the middle of a MTFWP Game Range. From Dec 1 to May 15, there are no vehicles, no people, few elk on their winter range. It will be interesting to watch how their habitats help the bighorns stay healthy. Interestingly mt lions have not targeted the many collared bighorns in this area, hmmm. Take away? One size management does not fit all. We are working on road signage now. Wish List, two rams on quota, one early season permit Sept 15 to Oct 30 and one permit-Nov 1 and Nov 30

The collaring in this area is epic, Mtn lions are also being collared along with domestic sheep and guardian dogs. Most ewes and lambs have collars; more rams are going to be collared. One ram traveled 500 air miles in 30 days during the rut of 2024, covering the east side of the Pioneers, Highlands and McCartney Mountains, he crossed I-15 and the Bighole River twice. Five subgroups of ewes share a number of rams. Likely the most studied wild sheep populations ever. Wish List, Would be nice to see the ram quota raised in this area to 2-3. A split season from Sept 15 to Oct 30 and Nov1 to 30.

This herd seems stable but… Wish List more collars on a mix of ewes and ram and how do we get more sheep on the mtn in this area?

This area has some of Montana’s most beautiful bighorn habitat. The Gates of the Mountains have bighorn and mtn goats the full length of Holter lake. You can view sheep and goats while trolling for rainbows and walleyes. The east shore has Beartooth Game Range with its seasonal access closures. This area has the habitat for more bighorns and goats. Wish List, what do we need to do to put more sheep on the mountain?