October 2023 - 17

The Whiskey Mountain bighorn sheep herd should see better habitat and easier paths for movement from conifer removal in the Torrey Rim area. (WGFD photo)
altered many areas that were once open and
dominated by grasses and forbs that bighorn
sheep eat, " Anderson said. " Over time, more
trees fill in and actively dry these sites out,
reduce understory herbaceous forage and
close sight distances that bighorn sheep need
to feel secure on the landscape. "
A technical committee with representation
from Game and Fish, the U.S. Forest Service
and the Bureau of Land Management
identified areas of Torrey Rim, Sheep Ridge
and BLM Ridge where mechanical conifer
removal could open ranges and movement
areas historically used by this herd.
Wildlife managers used GPS collar data to
see how bighorn sheep use or avoid certain
areas. With this information they identified
stands of conifers for removal. These cleared
areas will link preferred foraging habitats
with mineral licks, watering locations and
loafing/foraging areas.
Dubois Wildlife Biologist Zach Gregory
agrees habitat is one of the many complex
and interacting factors affecting the Whiskey
Mountain Herd. Disease also is a top concern
limiting population growth.
" We have been working with our partners
to carry out on-the-ground projects identified
in the 2019 management plan, " Gregory
said. " With this conifer removal, we hope
that in addition to improving habitat quality,
it will provide access to more habitat giving
bighorn sheep room to spread out. This
should allow them to naturally congregate
in smaller groups and should help reduce
disease transmission making the impacts of
this project multi-faceted. "
Approximately 120 acres of conifer thinning
occurred within the wildlife habitat
management area. Historically, significant
cultural resources in the area were not disturbed
by the work.
In addition to conifer removal, a prescribed
burn is planned in the area as soon as there
is an appropriate burn window, ideally this
fall. Similar to the mechanical removal
of confers, the burn is focused in an area
underutilized by the herd. It is along the
herd's summer-winter movement corridor
and aims to further open this area. Removing
the understory should increase sight distances
for the bighorn sheep, create wind-sheltered
loafing areas and enhance and expand the
areas of usable range.
Funding for these efforts have been provided
by Game and Fish, National Fish and
" With this conifer removal, we hope
that in addition to improving habitat
quality, it will provide access to more
habitat giving bighorn sheep room to
spread out. " - Zach Gregory
Wildlife Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation, Shoshone National Forest,
Wyoming Governor's Big Game License
Coalition, Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation
and Wyoming Wildlife and Natural
Resource Trust.
- Rene Schell is the Game and Fish information and
education specialist in the Lander Region, and Tara
Hodges in the information and education specialist
in the Cody Region.
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ABOUT THE WHISKEY
MOUNTAIN BIGHORN
SHEEP HERD.
Wyoming Wildlife | 17

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Regional-Offices/Lander-Region/Whiskey-Mountain-Bighorn-Sheep

October 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2023