As I am writing this, I am preparing the trade show booth, photos and sheep mounts for the trip to the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Sheep Show in Reno, NV (Jan 21-23). There will be thousands of sheep enthusiasts telling sheep hunting stories (and in many cases stretching the truth drastically), raising money for conservation and discussing strategies to “put more sheep on the mountain”. It will be a great time and a great opportunity to reach out and share best practices with partners in the name of conservation. After the Sheep Show, then it’s onto the Montana Outfitters & Guides (MOGA) winter meeting in Helena (Jan 29-30) where MOGA is holding a conservation symposium focused on bighorn sheep. There will be representatives from Wild Sheep Foundation, Montana Wild Sheep Foundation, Montana Woolgrowers, MOGA, Montana FWP, National Wildlife Federation, Montana State University, private landowners, Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe and others to discuss Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Conservation in Montana. A seldom had opportunity to get all of the players at the table for real world discussions on how to “put more sheep on the mountains of Montana”. Please consider attending and supporting conservation of bighorn sheep in Montana.

Then the real work begins in preparation for our 24th Annual Fundraiser March 18-19, 2016 in Helena, MT. Yes, we are back in Helena again this year as we had a record turnout at last year’s event. The newly remodeled Radisson Colonial Hotel (formerly the Red Lion Colonial) was a great venue last year and this year they have added a new lounge area, updated lighting, updated audio/visual equipment and a long list of other improvements. There will be some new and exciting raffles and drawings focused on our new and life membership, as well as a “Whiskey Tango” auction/raffle that will involve (7) bottles of Montana produced premium Whiskey, trips to Las Vegas and firearms to win!! Presentations from Dr. Robert Garrott on his bighorn research at Montana State University are on the schedule as is our Annual Youth Event at the Montana Wild Education Center in Helena (10am-1pm) March 19th. It is sure to be a great event. Make sure you get your tickets early for the banquet, as we sold out last year and turned people away at the door.

Brian Solan,
Montana WSF President