REPLACING BIGHORN SHEEP HERD IN THE BADLANDS – In the southern Badlands south of Interstate 94, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF) is planning to replace the herd of Bighorn Sheep in Unit B1 with a new herd from the Missouri Breaks of Montana. The current herd in the Badlands remains weak. Disease is very common, and reproduction rates are very low, making for a stagnant population. The goal is to issue 20 tags to hunters, so that the current herd will be removed from the area. Once removed, the replacement can occur without fear that the new sheep will contract disease from the others.
The NDGF held many public meetings regarding this issue, mostly to seek input from hunters. Hunters, for the most part, agreed that this is the best way forward. However, with the issuance of more tags, that means that some of the hunters will draw an ewe tag instead of the coveted ram tag. To hunt bighorn sheep is a once in a lifetime experience for the majority, and for some, it may seem unfair to draw an ewe tag for a hunt that would otherwise be for a ram.
According to Jeb Williams, wildlife chief for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck, the clock is against them in the implementation of this plan. Reported by the Grand Forks Herald, the plan might be put in place next fall at the earliest, but there is still more work to do before they can finalize it. The announcement of hunting regulations for next year is due at the end of February. So that gives only a few months to finish if they want it to be approved for the 2020 season.
Past Success
North Dakota has had success in the past importing sheep from the Missouri Breaks. They seem to thrive in the area better than sheep from other regions. NDGF plans to import anywhere between 30 to 40 sheep, with the goal to maintain a steady, healthy population in the southern Badlands.
