Bighorn Sheep Survey of Known Winter Ranges in the Canmore area of the Southern Rockies Area, 2008

by

Jon T. Jorgenson Senior Wildlife Biologist Canmore

and

Michael Jokinen Biologist Alberta Conservation Association Blairmore

May 20, 2008

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Fish and Wildlife Division Canmore

PERMISSION TO QUOTE

This report contains preliminary surveys results and interpretations that may be subject to future revisions. To prevent the issuance of misleading information, persons must first obtain permission from the Area Manager of the Southern Rockies Area or the Director of the Wildlife before quoting from this report, citing in bibliographies or using it in any other possible form.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank P. Young, and J. Wieliczko for assistance as observers during the 2008 survey. Alpine Helicopters provided the pilots and aircraft for the survey period.

ABSTRACT

A bighorn sheep survey was conducted on January 20, 21, 23, and 24, 2008 on 14 of 22 known winter ranges within Wildlife Management Units (WMU’s) 404, 406, 408, 410, and 648 (Peter Lougheed Provincial Park). Weather conditions were excellent with fresh snow, clear skies and calm winds. A total of 15 hours of helicopter time including deadheading time was used. Elk surveys were conducted at the same time because many sheep wintering areas are found near elk wintering habitats. A total of 824 sheep were observed, consisting of 430 ewes, 147 lambs, 43-1/4 curl rams, 53-1/2 curl rams, 94-3/4 curl rams, 37-4/5+ curl rams, and 20 unclassified sheep. Total sheep numbers appear comparable to previous surveys when similar areas were able to be covered and considering that winter ranges north of the Bow River were not surveyed in 2008, the 2008 count was at the high end. Lamb: ewe ratios were at the low end of the range (31%) relative to the long-term average but they were not alarmingly low. Considerable variation was found when counts were compared within WMU’s over time. Both WMU 404 and 406 are up slightly in total numbers while WMU 408 is lower than earlier surveys. Downward trends in total count were evident for the Three Sisters-Wind Ridge and Sheep river winter ranges. Sheep numbers in WMU 410 were the highest observed, however, caution is advised in interpretation due to the possibility of duplicate counts during the ground surveys conducted along Highway 1A.

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...... 1 STUDY AREA AND METHODS ...... 1 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION...... 5

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Total count, age/sex composition of bighorn sheep observed during aerial surveys, 1973-2008 ...... 7 Table 2. Results by WMU from aerial surveys of bighorn sheep winter ranges, 1973-2008...... 8 Table 3. Lamb/ewe ratios observed in each of the major WMU’s, 1973-2008...... 9 Table 4. Counts of sheep observed in each of the sub-units where non-trophy sheep permits are allocated, 1973-2008...... 10 Table 5. Summaries of sheep observed by winter range and WMU during aerial and/or ground surveys, 1973-2008...... 11 Table 6. Highway 1A (WMU 410) bighorn sheep observations ...... 20

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Sheep winter ranges in vicinity of the Ghost Wilderness Area...... 2 Figure 2. Sheep winter ranges within the Kananaskis valley area...... 3 Figure 3. Sheep winter ranges in vicinity of the Highwood and Plateau Mountain areas...... 4

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1. WMU observation checkpoints and group composition data for 2008...... 21 Appendix 2. Bighorn sheep observation locations during the 2008 winter aerial survey ...... 23

iii

INTRODUCTION

In 1973, a systematic winter aerial survey for bighorn sheep was initiated in the Canmore area of southwest Alberta. Since this time, repeated surveys have been conducted over the same areas in order to monitor the spatial distribution, post-hunt herd composition and to monitor trends in the number of bighorn sheep at the population level, in each of the Wildlife Managements Units (WMU) and at the winter range scale. The acquired information is used to support wildlife management recommendations related to land-use decisions and hunting regimes.

STUDY AREA AND METHODS

The study area encompasses the eastern slopes of southern Alberta from the Ghost River Wilderness Area in the north to Plateau Mountain at the southern boundary of Kananaskis Country. There are 22 sheep winter ranges identified within this area and it is these winter ranges that are surveyed (Figures 1, 2, and 3).

1

Figure 1. Sheep winter ranges in vicinity of the Ghost Wilderness Area

2

Figure 2. Sheep winter ranges within the Kananaskis valley area

3

Figure 3. Sheep winter ranges in vicinity of the Highwood and Plateau Mountain areas

4 Winter ranges are represented in all 8 WMU’s: 404, 406, 648 (Peter Lougheed Provincial Park), 408, 410, 412, 414 and 734 (Ghost Wilderness Area). Most of the winter ranges in WMU 410 are no longer surveyed due to the difficulty of finding sheep on a reliable basis. These areas instead are surveyed in the spring from the ground along Highway 1A where these sheep congregate during winter and spring. These ground survey counts are included in this report. The Sheep River herd in WMU 406 is also a winter range that is not always aerial surveyed. This herd has been intensively studied for several years using marked animals. The Sheep River herd’s status is closely known and there is no need to survey it from the air. All ground counts of marked sheep are incorporated in this report.

A Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter was used for these surveys employing a navigator/observer in the front and two observers in the back. The pilot was also participating to the survey as an observer. Sheep sightings were logged on a 1:250 000 topographic scale map and a hand held Garmin GPS unit was utilized to record UTM coordinates of each observation location point. Graphics listing all observation points within the surveyed areas were created in ArcGIS 9.2 (Appendix 1). Fresh tracks were easily observed, eliminating the need to search every valley and, consequently, reducing exploring time. Each winter range was flown slightly above tree line and at higher elevations covering mountain ridges and cliffs. Canon Image Stabilizer binoculars were employed to aid the classification of sheep into one the following cohorts: ewes, lambs and rams at 1/4 curl, 1/2 curl, 3/4 curl, and 4/5 curl (trophy). Yearling ewes and rams are hard to differentiate from the air and generally are grouped with the ewe cohort. Additional sheep are occasionally found outside traditional winter range boundaries. Thus, they were not included in the totals of conventional winter range. All pertinent data was recorded onto survey sheets and was later condensed into table format (Appendix 2). This survey was also done in conjunction with the Canmore/Calgary area elk survey, hence observations of elk were also recorded in addition to incidental mountain goats observations.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The bighorn sheep survey was flown at the same time as the elk survey, therefore sheep observations were scattered over a span of several days, ensuring all sheep and elk winter ranges were surveyed. Aerial observations for sheep were conducted on January 20, 21, 23, and 24th, 2008. Total flight hours used to cover the sheep winter ranges was approximately 15 hours

5 including deadheading back and forth from fuel caches and pick-up points. During these surveys, flying and observing conditions were good to excellent with sunshine, calm winds and mostly recent snowfall. We were unable to survey winter ranges north of the Bow River, due to a loss of snow cover and resultant poor surveying conditions. Appropriate survey conditions did not occur for the rest of the surveying season, therefore WMU’s 412, 414, and 734 (Ghost Wilderness Area) were not surveyed in 2008.

A total of 824 bighorn sheep were observed during 2008 (Table 1). Comparisons with other survey years are difficult because it has been difficult to complete the surveys for all winter ranges during each survey attempt. Loss of snow cover before the entire survey can be completed has been a common problem in recent years. Considering that the 2008 survey did not include any winter ranges north of the Bow River, the count of 824 is at the high end of the range for counts from previous years and is indicative of a fairly stable population compared with counts from the early 1970’s.

Over 99% of the sheep observed in 2008 could be classified for a total group composition that consisted of 28% rams, 54% ewes, and 18% lambs (Table 1). The percentage of trophy rams in the population was 5% which is consistent with previous surveys. The lambs/100 ewe ratio was 34, at the low end of the range of values from previous surveys but within the expected range of values for a stable population.

6

Table 1. Total count, age/sex composition of bighorn sheep observed during aerial surveys, 1973-2008

Year of Total Sheep No. of Classified No. of No. of No. of No. of Rams/ Lambs/ Survey Observed (exclude Sheep Rams (%) Trophy Ewes (%) Lambs (%) 100 ewes 100 ewes (a) Ghost W.A.) (unclassified) Rams ( % ) 2008c 824 804(20) 227 (28) 37 (5) 430 (54) 147 (18) 53 34

2003 574 497 (77) 188 (38) 19 (4) 227 (46) 82 (16) 83 36

2000 835 722 (113) 195 (27) 31 (4) 357 (49) 170 (24) 55 48

1996b 49 49 (0) 21 (43) 4 (8) 19 (39) 9 (18) 111 47

1995c 725 702 (23) 215 (31) 66 (9) 345 (49) 134 (19) 62 39

1994d 194 193 (1) 36 (19) 7 (4) 87 (45) 39 (20) 41 45

1990c 756 710 (46) 212 (30) 29 (4) 334 (47) 164 (23) 63 49

1988c 640 606 (34) 211 (35) 21 (3) 287 (47) 108 (18) 73 38

1983 904 874 (30) 233 (27) 24 (3) 489 (56) 152 (17) 48 31

1979 616 579 (37) 163 (28) 12 (2) 262 (45) 154 (27) 62 59

1978 667 608 (59) 173 (28) 27 (4) 291 (48) 144 (24) 60 50

1973 702 679 (23) 146 (21) 18 (3) 373 (55) 160 (24) 39 43 a = "ewes" includes yearling and 2-year old ewes c = wintering areas north of Bow River not surveyed b = only wintering areas north of Bow River surveyed d = wintering areas only partially surveyed

Sheep observations were further subdivided and evaluated on a WMU basis. WMU’s in which sheep were surveyed in 2008 included WMU 404, 406, 408, and the Pigeon Mountain portion of WMU 410 (Table 2). Population counts for MWU 410 will be discussed in a later section of this report. Sheep numbers in WMU 404 and 406 have increased to levels similar to the early 1980’s (Table 2). WMU 404 experienced a decline in sheep numbers around 1985, soon after a large scale pneumonia die-off in a sheep population south of Highway 3 (Crowsnest Pass to Waterton Park). This reduction in numbers was primarily specific to the Plateau Mountain winter range. Whether or not there was pneumonia related die-off at Plateau Mountain remains unknown. Numbers in WMU 408 are down slightly from earlier counts in 2000.

7 Table 2. Results by WMU from aerial surveys of bighorn sheep winter ranges, 1973-2008

WMU Year Total Total Rams Ewe/lamb herds Lambs/ U/C Surveyed Sheep Rams 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl Trophy U/C Ewes Lambs U/C 100 ewes Sheep 404 2008 182 46 10 14 18 4 0 104 32 0 31 0 2003 80 25 4 5 14 2 0 33 13 1 39 9 20001163111866066181270 1996 Not surveyed 199512244781516048230485 19944923269602150240 1990 91 39 6 14 4 6 9 35 17 0 49 0 1988 94 57 14 11 28 4 0 26 11 0 42 0 1983202661416269 1106300 280 1979182531920121183460550 1978 122 29 8 10 11 0 0 45 18 0 40 30 197318033291930106410390

406 2008 263 67 13 14 32 8 0 123 59 0 48 14 200311758541562849100200 2000240669 11159 229552155512 1996 Not surveyed 199525660151313190136580 432 1994113137221166340520 1990345862615131121164860 529 19882315315512318124480396 1983 360 61 23 17 15 5 1 212 72 15 34 0 1979143431414132063330524 1978311622318156 0168810 480 1973 243 53 12 18 19 4 0 128 39 23 30 0

408 2008 249 82 14 15 32 21 0 123 38 0 31 6 20032438412165150762303060 200030385361325110127829 650 1996 Not surveyed 199525178121026246132410 310 1994 Not surveyed 1990 267 102 7 43 36 10 6 116 49 0 42 0 1988252782129235 0128460 360 1983 290 102 18 21 44 6 13 149 39 0 26 0 197919630187500806107625 1978 201 62 15 9 18 15 2 73 43 23 59 3 19731552528123086440510

4102008a6717267204550110 2003a73246675034140411 2000* 87 12 26220261003839 1996* Only Mt. Laurie was surveyed (no sheep encountered) 1995a*2512012361030300 1994* Not surveyed 1990a*15700520530600 1988* 29 7005207213290 1983* 36 61014020100500 1979* 53 20 384502290412 1978* 20 19 0586010000 1973* 66 20 1757027190700 * incomplete winter range coverage

734 2008 Not surveyed (Formerly 411) 20031191624460681702320 20001052636116047236493 199611637115813055240440 1995 Not surveyed 1994 Not surveyed 1990 Not surveyed 198813030336711241066420 198390161456044300680 197958171844023162700 1975b62206247124180750 1973 69 28 4 7 11 6 0 29 12 0 41 0

412 2008 Not surveyed 20035918369002390399 2000293102008303815 19964921458401990470 1995 Not surveyed 1994 Not surveyed 19903714644001490640 19883431441454210500 1983161336400210500 19794218095401450365 1975b13502102420502 197358153741026170650 a = includes only Pigeon Mtn b = 1975 data used for comparison as 1978 data unavailable

8 Lamb/ewe ratios have fluctuated between surveys as well as within WMU’s (Table 3). It is important to note that “ewes” includes yearling ewes and 2-year old ewes as well as possibly some yearling rams. These sex/age cohorts cannot accurately be classified during aerial surveys. Both WMU’s 404 and 408 had lamb ratios in the low 30’s and below their long-term average while WMU 406 was above average at 48 lambs/100 ewes. Only 11 lambs/100 ewes were observed for the Pigeon Mountain herd, which is part of WMU 410. The reason for this low ratio is unknown.

Table 3. Lamb/ewe ratios observed in each of the major WMU’s, 1973-2008

WMU Survey Ewes Lambs Lambs/100 Lambs/100 Ewes Year Ewes * Mean Std. Dev. Range 404 2008 104 32 31 38 10 24 - 55 2003 33 13 39 2000 66 18 27 1995 48 23 48 1994 21 5 24 1990 35 17 49 1988 26 11 42 1983 106 30 28 1979 83 46 55 1978 45 18 40 1973 106 41 39

406 2008 123 59 48 43 11 20 - 55 2003 49 10 20 2000 95 52 55 1995 136 58 43 1994 66 34 52 1990 164 86 52 1988 124 48 39 1983 212 72 34 1979 63 33 52 1978 168 81 48 1973 128 39 30

408 2008 123 38 31 45 17 26 - 76 2003 76 23 30 2000 127 82 65 1995 132 41 31 1990 116 49 42 1988 128 46 36 1983 149 39 26 1979 80 61 76 1978 73 43 59 1973 86 44 51 * "ewes" includes yearlings and 2-year-old ewes

9 Sheep observations for each of the WMU’s were further broken down by sub-WMU which are the units used for allocating non-trophy sheep hunting permits (Table 4). This is required to address management hunts on a herd by herd basis and equally distribute hunting pressure. The WMU’s generally consist of multiple herds and differences in access can lead to high hunting pressure in some units.

Table 4. Counts of sheep observed in each of the sub-units where non-trophy sheep permits are allocated, 1973-2008

WMU Total sheep observed 1979 1983 1988 1990 1994 1995 2000 2003 2006 2007 2008

404A 92 115 44 28 45 47 57 24 N/S N/S 63 404B 90 87 50 63 7 75 59 56 N/S N/S 119

406A 72 108 58 55 11 79 100 94 N/S N/S 114 406B* 71 252 173 290 231 220 214 23 N/S N/S 149

408A 0 21 21 28 N/S 78 103 71 N/S N/S 84 408B 234 233 231 239 N/S 173 200 172 167 150 165 N/S = Not surveyed

The most significant change has been the increase in population within WMU 404B and the decline for WMU 406B. Sheep numbers in sub-unit WMU 408B are similar to recent counts in 1995 but are below counts from 1990 and earlier. Sub-unit 408A currently has a higher population than what was observed between 1979 and 1990. This sub-unit is somewhat complicated due to its adjacency with sheep populations of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. It is likely that sheep move between these two areas.

Sheep observations were further broken down by winter range to examine trends in numbers on each of the winter ranges surveyed on a regular basis. Each winter range roughly constitutes individual subpopulations, however, for some ranges, movement patterns by individual sheep between nearby winter ranges is poorly understood and needs to be carefully considered in the interpretation of sheep counts (Table 5).

10 Table 5. Summaries of sheep observed by winter range and WMU during aerial and/or ground surveys, 1973-2008

Winter WMU Year Total Rams Ewe/lamb herds U/C Range Surveyed Sheep Total Rams 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl Trophy U/C Ewes Lambs U/C Sheep 29a. Ghost Wilderness 734 2008 n/s Area rmerly 41 2003 119 16 2 4 4 6 0 66 17 0 20 2000 105 26 3 6 11 6 0 47 23 6 3 1996 117 37 11 5 8 13 0 55 24 0 1 1995 n/s 1994 n/s 1990 n/s 1988 97 30 3 3 6 7 11 24 10 23 10 1983 90 16 1 4 5 6 0 44 30 0 0 1979 58 17 1 8 4 4 0 23 16 2 0 1978 n/s 1975 62 20 6 2 4 7 1 24 18 0 0 1973 69 28 4 7 11 6 0 29 12 0 0

29. Black Rock Mtn 412 2008 n/s 200300 0 0 0 000000 200000 0 0 0 000000 1996 10 4 1 1 2 0 0 3 3 0 0 1995 n/s 1994 n/s 199044 0 2 2 000000 198898 1 0 4 211000 198374 2 2 0 002100 1979 14 7 0 3 2 2 0 3 4 0 0 1978 13 5 0 2 1 0 2 4 2 2 0 1973 16 3 0 2 1 0 0 8 5 0 0

30. Orient Pt. 412 2008 n/s 2003 22 11 1 4 6 0 0 6 5 0 0 200061 1 0 0 003200 1996 12 12 2 3 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 1995 n/s 1994 n/s 199011 0 1 0 000000 1988 22 20 3 3 8 3 3 1 1 0 0 198399 1 4 4 000000 1979 20 9 0 4 3 2 0 6 0 0 5 197800 0 0 0 000000 1973 12 7 3 3 1 0 0 3 2 0 0

31. End Mountain 412 2008 n/s 2003233 0 2 1 001430 200060 0 0 0 005100 1996275 1 1 3 001660 0 1995 n/s 1994 n/s 1990 32 10 7 1 2 0 0 14 9 0 0 198833 1 2 0 000000 198300 0 0 0 000000 197982 0 2 0 005100 197800 0 0 0 000000 1973 30 5 0 2 2 1 0 15 10 0 0 n/s = not surveyed

11 Winter WMU Year Total Rams Ewe/lamb herds U/C Range Surveyed Sheep Total Rams 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl Trophy U/C Ewes Lambs U/C Sheep

32. Mt. Laurie 410 2008 n/s 2003 5 1 0 1 0 0 0 3 1 0 2000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1996 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1995 n/s 1994 n/s 1990 n/s 1988 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 13 0 1983 25 1 1 0 0 0 0 15 9 0 0 1979 33 7 3 4 0 0 0 18 8 0 0 1978 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1973 25 7 1 3 2 1 0 11 7 0 0

33. Grotto Mtn. 410 2008 n/s 2003 n/s 2000 n/s 1996 n/s 1995 n/s 1994 n/s 1990 Surveyed from the ground 1988 n/s 1983 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1979 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1978 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1973 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

34. Mt. Charles Stewart 410 2008 n/s 2003 5 5 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2000 n/s 1996 n/s 1995 n/s 1994 n/s 1990 Surveyed from the ground 1988 n/s 1983 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 1979 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 2 1978 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1973 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 12 0 0

12 Winter Range WMU Year Total Rams Ewe/lamb herds U/C Surveyed Sheep Total Rams 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl Trophy U/C Ewes Lambs U/C Sheep 35. Three Sisters-Wind Ridge 408B 2008 16 1 0 0 1 0 0 12 3 0 0 2007 27 1 9 1 8 2006 32 6 1 0 1 0 4 21 5 0 0 2003 43 6 4 0 2 0 0 30 7 0 0 2000 67 5 2 0 3 0 0 41 21 0 0 1996 n/s 1995 78 7 5 1 1 0 0 52 19 0 0 1994 n/s 1992a 114 23 9 5 8 1 0 71 20 0 0 1990a 103 22 1 13 5 2 1 57 24 0 0 1989a 143 16 5 5 6 0 0 89 38 0 0 1988a 120 19 10 6 3 0 0 75 26 0 0 1987a 127 37 14 8 1 0 14 67 23 0 0 1986a 152 31 11 11 5 1 3 90 31 0 0 1983 117 13 6 0 1 0 6 84 20 0 0 1979 91 7 7 0 0 0 0 34 25 0 25 1978 108 9 6 3 0 0 0 45 31 0 23 1973 86 8 1 3 4 0 0 50 28 0 0

36. Pigeon Mountain 410 2008 67 17 2 6 7 2 0 45 5 0 0 2007 40 10 10 21 8 0 0 2006 38 16 4 2 8 2 0 16 6 0 0 2003 63 18 6 3 5 4 0 31 13 1 0 2000 39 12 2 6 2 2 0 20 7 0 0 1996b 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 1995 24 12 0 1 2 3 6 9 3 0 0 1994 n/s 1993b 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 1992a 25 9 5 0 2 2 0 10 6 0 0 1990a 15 7 0 0 5 2 0 5 3 0 0 1989a 14 9 0 3 4 2 0 3 2 0 0 1988a 13 7 0 0 5 2 0 6 0 0 0 1987a 9 6 0 0 3 3 2 1 0 0 0 1986a 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1983 8 5 0 0 1 4 0 2 1 0 0 1979 15 13 0 4 4 5 0 2 0 0 0 1978 20 19 0 5 8 6 0 1 0 0 0 1976b 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 1975b 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 1974b 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 1973 13 13 0 4 3 6 0 0 0 0 0

37. Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan 408B 2008 149 48 7 9 21 11 0 77 24 0 0 2007 123 51 51 7 3 62 2006 135 52 5 11 24 10 2 68 15 0 0 2003 129 47 5 11 28 3 0 19 8 55 0 2000 133 37 13 8 16 6 0 52 38 0 0 1996 n/s 1995 95 45 4 4 12 18 6 40 9 0 2 1994 n/s 1992a 88 23 7 9 4 3 0 50 15 0 0 1990a 136 57 4 25 18 7 3 55 24 0 0 1989a 104 37 16 9 4 2 6 42 25 0 0 1988a 111 43 9 16 14 4 0 50 18 0 0 1987a 109 43 9 21 8 3 2 40 26 0 0 1986a 142 52 16 19 7 8 2 65 25 0 0 1983 152 82 11 19 40 5 7 54 16 0 0 1979 73 19 10 4 5 0 0 30 24 0 0 1978 93 53 9 9 18 15 2 28 12 0 0 1973 39 11 1 2 5 3 0 17 11 0 0 a = counts obtained from intensive ground/aerial inventory program associated with 1988 Olympics b = observed during regional elk survey

13 Winter Range WMU Year Total Rams Ewe/lamb herds U/C Surveyed Sheep Total Rams 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl Trophy U/C Ewes Lambs U/C Sheep 38. Evans Thomas 408A 2008 84 33 7 6 10 10 0 34 11 0 6 ( ) No. included in total 2003 35 (13) 1 1 0 0 0 0 21 3 0 0 seen on Wedge Mtn 2000 85 (31) 33 12 1 4 2 0 34 23 9 0 1996 n/s 1995 41 (37) 24 3 5 12 4 0 12 5 0 0 1994 n/s 1990 28 (20) 23 2 5 13 1 2 4 1 0 0 1988 21 (12) 16 2 7 6 1 0 3 2 0 0 1983 21 (6) 7 1 2 3 1 0 11 3 0 0 1979 0 (0) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1978 0 (0) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1973 30 (0) 6 0 3 3 0 0 19 5 0 0

39. Little Elbow River 406B 2008 38 8 1 2 4 1 0 22 8 0 0 2003 23 12 1 0 6 5 0 8 3 0 0 2000 12 6 0 4 2 1 0 3 2 0 0 1996 n/s 1995 6 1 0 1 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 1994 n/s 1990 31 9 4 2 3 2 13 5 2 0 0 1988 19 15 0 0 0 1 14 2 2 0 0 1983 7 7 1 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1979 7 7 1 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1978 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1973 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

40. Forget-Me-Not 406B 2008 28 0 2 2 5 0 0 13 6 0 0 2003 n/s 2000 25(8) 2 2 0 1 0 0 16 6 0 0 1996 n/s 1995 30 (15) 4 1 0 3 0 3 15 8 0 0 1994 32 (26) 8 1 3 1 0 0 16 8 0 3 1990 25 (30) 6 3 0 1 2 0 12 7 0 0 1988 30 (0) 4 2 0 2 0 0 16 10 0 0 1983 67 (25) 16 5 6 3 1 1 38 11 2 0 1979 0 (0) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1978 47 (0) 9 6 1 1 1 0 26 12 0 0 1973 63 (0) 10 4 6 0 0 0 35 14 4 0 1971 53 (1) 1 0 1 0 0 0 10 5 0 37

( ) Threepoint Creek sheep seen but not included in totals as these sheep fall within the Mt Rose/Mt Ware winter range The Threepoint Creek sheep suspected to part of the Forget-Me-Not herd

41. Mt Rae 406A 2008 23 6 0 0 5 1 0 12 5 0 0 2003 13 9 2 1 5 1 0 3 1 0 0 2000 20 11 1 0 4 6 0 7 2 0 0 1996 n/s 1995 11 11 3 2 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 1994 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1990 50 16 2 1 5 7 1 22 12 0 0 1988 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1983 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1979 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1978 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1973 18 3 0 1 2 0 0 11 4 0 0 1971 0

14 Winter Range WMU Year Total Rams Ewe/lamb herds U/C Surveyed Sheep Total Rams 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl Trophy U/C Ewes Lambs U/C Sheep 42. Mt Burns 406B 2008 15 7 1 1 4 1 0 6 2 0 0 2003 n/s 2000 14 3 0 0 2 1 0 7 4 0 0 1996 n/s 1995 15 8 1 4 2 1 0 5 2 0 0 1994 8 2 1 0 0 0 1 4 2 0 0 1990 37 14 5 4 3 2 0 13 10 0 0 1988 31 13 4 2 3 0 4 11 7 0 0 1983 14 4 2 0 1 1 0 5 5 0 0 1979 33 10 7 3 0 0 0 14 9 0 0 1978 51 10 5 2 2 1 0 31 10 0 0 1973 12 8 0 1 6 1 0 3 1 0 0 1971 11 2 0 1 1 0 0 6 3 0 0

43. Mt Ware-Mt Rose 406B 2008 55 8 3 3 2 0 0 30 17 0 0 2003 n/s 2000 50(8) 6 0 0 5 1 0 16 13 15 0 1996 n/s 1995 38 (15) 6 3 1 1 1 0 20 12 0 0 1994 47 (26) 8 3 2 2 1 0 27 12 0 0 1990 36 (30) 3 0 0 0 3 0 25 8 0 0 1988 14 (0) 6 2 0 4 0 0 8 0 0 0 1983 53 (25) 6 1 3 1 1 0 24 11 12 0 1979 5 (0) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 1978 54 (0) 3 1 1 1 0 0 34 17 0 0 1973 9 (0) 4 1 3 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 1971 54 (1) 5 0 4 1 0 0 22 14 0 13

( ) Threepoint Creek sheep included in total. These sheep, however, suspected to part of Forget-Me-Not herd.

15 Winter Range WMU Year Total Rams Ewe/lamb herds U/C Surveyed Sheep Total Rams 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl Trophy U/C Ewes Lambs U/C Sheep

44. Sheep River 406B 2008 29 0 4 7 5 0 11 2 0 0 (in 406A for hunting 2007* 42 16 16 17 9 season) 2006 2005* 58 25 2 23 23 8 0 2004* 61 27 4 23 20 10 0 2003 53 28 28 23 2 0 0 2002 62 27 27 30 5 0 0 2001 78 31 31 36 11 0 0 2000*a 114 38 n/a n/a n/a n/a 38 52 13 0 0 2000 40 22 0 0 0 0 22 4 2 12 0 1999* 114 38 n/a n/a n/a n/a 38 52 13 0 0 1998* 110 38 n/a n/a n/a n/a 38 47 20 0 0 1997* 98 35 n/a n/a n/a n/a 35 43 15 0 0 1996* 93 36 n/a n/a n/a n/a 36 46 8 0 3 1995 89 23 3 4 5 11 0 52 14 0 0 1995* 95 36 3 0 0 0 33 44 15 0 0 1994* 97 32 7 0 0 0 25 52 13 0 0 1993* 121 29 10 0 0 0 19 57 35 0 0 1992* 119 21 13 0 0 0 8 61 37 0 0 1991* 118 29 6 0 0 0 23 59 30 0 0 1990 125 29 6 4 0 0 19 54 33 0 9 1990* 118 30 7 0 0 0 23 59 29 0 0 1989* 109 29 8 0 0 0 21 53 27 0 0 1988 79 15 7 3 3 2 0 48 16 0 0 1988* 99 31 3 0 0 0 28 51 17 0 0 1987* 99 34 3 0 0 0 31 49 16 0 0 1986* 107 36 7 0 0 0 29 57 14 die-off 0 1985* 153 47 8 0 0 0 39 71 35 0 0 1984* 147 47 9 0 0 0 38 62 38 0 0 1983* 144 41 11 0 0 0 30 63 40 0 0 1983 110 11 6 3 2 0 0 83 16 0 0 1982* 140 43 6 0 0 0 37 55 42 0 0 1979 31 15 3 5 5 2 0 12 4 0 0 1978 85 40 11 14 11 4 0 29 16 0 0 1973 89 17 6 6 4 1 0 44 9 19 0 1971 67 3 0 3 0 0 0 16 2 0 46 * ground counts of marked sheep a = counts of summer 1999 used with 2000 totals (2000 ground counts not yet made)

16 Winter Range WMU Year Total Rams Ewe/lamb herds U/C Surveyed Sheep Total Rams 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl Trophy U/C Ewes Lambs U/C Sheep 45. Gibralter Mtn. 4B and 40 2008 48 15 7 2 6 0 0 24 9 0 0 2003 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2000 60 12 3 7 1 1 0 38 10 0 0 1996 n/s 1995 34 7 4 1 1 1 0 17 9 0 1 1994 11 1 1 0 0 0 0 7 3 0 0 1990 35 5 2 2 1 0 0 22 8 0 0 1988 37 8 5 0 3 0 0 23 6 0 0 1983 47 8 2 2 3 1 0 23 16 0 0 1979 39 9 1 7 1 0 0 18 12 0 0 1978 55 0 0 0 0 0 0 36 19 0 0 1973 39 8 0 1 5 0 0 23 8 0 2 1971 28 4 0 3 0 1 0 14 10 0 0

46. Mist Mountain 404B 2008 34 10 1 4 3 2 0 22 2 0 0 2003 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 5 0 0 2000 12 5 1 3 1 0 0 5 2 0 0 1996 n/s 1995 26 9 1 0 1 7 0 13 4 0 0 1994 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1990 29 17 2 6 0 6 3 8 4 0 0 1988 16 16 0 3 10 3 0 0 0 0 0 1983 55 19 2 3 9 4 1 29 7 0 0 1979 83 25 8 9 7 0 1 32 26 0 0 1978 18 18 5 6 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 1973 40 4 0 1 2 1 0 28 8 0 0 1971 12 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 11

47. Mt Head 4B and 40 2008 72 5 6 13 2 0 34 12 0 0 2003 48 15 2 3 8 2 0 16 8 0 9 2000 41 20 8 4 5 3 0 14 7 0 0 1996 n/s 1995 66 14 2 2 6 4 0 26 19 7 0 1994 50 9 2 3 3 1 0 26 15 0 0 1990 54 21 2 9 4 0 6 22 11 0 0 1988 55 18 6 3 8 1 0 27 10 0 0 1983 93 33 10 7 13 3 0 45 14 0 1 1979 67 11 3 3 5 0 0 36 20 0 0 1978 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 7 0 0 1973 39 16 2 4 8 2 0 17 6 0 0 1971 16 3 0 3 0 0 0 8 5 0 0

48. Cataract Ck. 404A 2008 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2003 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2000 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 1996 n/s 1995 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1994 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1990 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1988 16 5 3 0 2 0 0 7 4 0 0 1983 30 8 0 4 2 2 0 17 5 0 0 1979 50 8 3 5 0 0 0 29 13 0 0 1978 38 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 8 17 0 1973 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 1971 22 4 0 3 1 0 0 10 8 0 0

49. Plateau Mtn 404A 2008 63 5 2 2 1 0 0 40 18 0 0 2003 24 9 2 1 6 0 0 12 2 1 0 2000 50 8 4 1 1 2 0 29 12 1 0 1996 n/s 1995 45 21 4 6 8 3 0 17 7 0 0 1994 43 16 2 3 6 4 0 22 5 0 1 1990 28 4 3 1 0 0 0 16 8 0 0 1988 28 16 3 5 7 1 0 8 4 0 0 1983 85 14 8 4 2 0 0 54 17 0 0 1979 42 15 8 2 4 1 0 20 7 0 0 1978 66 11 3 4 4 0 0 32 10 13 0 1973 111 15 1 4 10 0 0 67 29 0 0 1971 57 11 0 5 3 3 0 34 10 2 0

17 Winter Range WMU Year Total Rams Ewe/lamb herds U/C Surveyed Sheep Total Rams 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl Trophy U/C Ewes Lambs U/C Sheep

Peter Lougheed 648 2008 63 15 4 4 5 2 0 35 13 0 0 Provincial Park 2003 2000 60 20 8 1 8 3 0 35 5 0 0

Outside Designated Winter Ranges

Junction Mtn. 406A 2008 38 3 1 2 0 0 0 12 9 0 14 2003 2000261 1 0 0 001870 0

Fisher Peak 406B 2008 2003 27 11 1 0 7 1 0 6 5 0 5 2000 25 18 9 4 2 3 0 2 5 0 0

Pickeljar Lakes 404B 2008 2003249 2 3 4 001320 0

Saddle Peak 412 2000 17 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 15

Various Locations 410 2000 48 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 3 0 39

Sheep counts on each winter range vary considerably from one survey to the next (Table 5), making it difficult to infer if changes from year to year are real or just influenced by visibility biases or movements of sheep between ranges. Winter ranges where obvious trends are apparent are the Three Sisters–Wind Ridge and Sheep River winter ranges. Both ranges show a downward trend in numbers. The Sheep River population has been intensively studied using marked individuals since the early 1980’s and a population decline has been documented through the research program. Poor lamb survival and periods of high cougar predation have been the primary vectors responsible for the decline. It is unknown why numbers have declined in the Three Sisters-Wind Ridge population.

Throughout the 1997 and 1998 period, bighorn sheep were relocated to areas within WMU’s 404 and 406 to supplement winter ranges that were low in sheep numbers. Sheep were transplanted from Ram Mountain and the Cardinal River Coal areas to locations within Kananaskis Country (Picklejar Creek and Plateau Mountain). No marked sheep from these translocations were readily observed during the 2008 survey, however during the 2008 survey, 2 ear tagged ewes from the Sheep River population were observed, one in Junction Valley and the other on Bluerock Mountain.

18 WMU 410 – Highway 1A ground surveys

Rather than conducting aerial surveys of those winter ranges north of the Bow River in WMU 410, more accurate counts can be made from Highway 1A during the spring when these sheep are concentrated on winter ranges adjacent to the highway. These spring counts have been done since 1989 and the winter ranges include Mt. Laurie, Grotto Mountain, and Mt. Charles Stewart. Along Highway 1A, there are several sub-groups of sheep that tend to use traditional areas along the north side of the highway, including the Kananaskis Townsite (Mt. Laurie), Exshaw Mine/Rockcut (Grotto Mountain), Gap Lake (Grotto Mountain), and the Burnco site just east of Canmore (Mt. Charles Stewart). There are likely some movements between these areas along the highway but efforts to reduce duplication are made by conducting counts on the same day or within as short a time as possible. Sheep need to be down along the highway for accurate counting and classification. This requires multiple counts be conducted over consecutive days until there is confidence that maximum group sizes have been seen at each of the subgroup locations. On the south side of the Bow River is the Pigeon Mountain winter range and these sheep are also in WMU 410 but are not included in this summary (Table 6).

The 2008 count of 257 was the highest count recorded since these surveys were started in 1989. There was, however, some uncertainty that duplicate counts were made as the surveys were carried out over 2 weeks and the unusually high count of 100 sheep at the Burnco site may have included sheep that were seen at Gap Lake a week earlier. Caution is warranted when interpreting the counts from 2008 as the increase in sheep numbers may have been an artifact of duplicate counts.

19 Table 6. Highway 1A (WMU 410) bighorn sheep observations

Location Year/Month Total Sheep Total Yearling Rams U/C Total Adult Yearling Total Lamb/100 Observed Rams Rams 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl Trophy Rams Ewes Ewes Ewes Lambs Adult Ewes Kananaskis 2008 / April 20 4 0 112 0 0 13 2 1 2 15 Townsite 2004 / April 28 7 1 1 4 1 0 0 16 14 2 5 37 2003 / May 15 4 1 201 0 0 10 10 0 1 10 2000 / April 4 2 0 110 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 1998 / April 29 6 0 501 0 0 20 19 1 3 16 1993 / April 52 4 1 102 0 0 45 39 6 3 8 1992 / April 28 1 0 100 0 0 17 15 2 10 67 1991 / April 37 5 0 500 0 0 26 23 3 3 13 1990 / Nov Not Observed 1990 / April 13 2 2 000 0 0 9 9 0 2 22 1989 / April Not Observed

Exshaw 2008 / April 54 3 0 300 0 21 25 25 0 5 20 2004 / April 32 16 4 7 3 2 0 0 9 7 2 7 100 2003 / May 53 16 1 618 0 0 34 31 3 3 10 2000 / April 38 3 1 110 0 0 25 25 0 7 28 1998 / April 41 6 0 321 0 0 32 30 2 4 13 1993 / April 38 4 0 301 0 0 30 28 2 4 14 1992 / April 29 1 0 100 0 0 24 21 3 3 14 1991 / April 69 16 0 628 0 0 40 34 6 10 29 1990 / Nov 49 7 2 031 1 0 28 26 2 14 54 1990 / April 44 4 4 000 0 0 30 27 3 10 37 1989 / April 107 17 12 112 0 1 59 55 4 26 47

Gap Lake 2008 / April 83 15 0 645 0 0 56 53 3 12 21 2004 / April 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 6 2 0 0 2003 / May 65 14 2 633 0 0 53 49 4 7 14 2000 / April 45 8 1 502 0 0 32 28 4 5 18 1998 / April 74 3 0 012 0 0 67 65 2 5 8 1993 / April 48 2 0 200 0 0 41 41 0 5 12 1992 / April 58 7 0 403 0 0 41 38 3 14 37 1991 / April 88 18 0 11 6 1 0 0 65 60 5 5 8 1990 / Nov 37 5 0 212 0 0 25 22 3 7 32 1990 / April 54 12 5 502 0 0 37 30 7 5 17 1989 / April 69 7 4 300 0 0 43 40 3 19 48

East of Canmore 2008 / May 1* 100 14 0 2 12 0 0 0 73 73 0 13 18 (Burnco) 2004 / April 70 20 4 5 8 3 0 0 42 39 3 8 20 2003 / May 29 8 0 134 0 0 17 17 0 4 24 2000 / April 38 10 0 505 0 0 20 18 2 8 44 1998 / April 18 1 0 100 0 0 17 17 0 0 0 1993 / April 4 0 0 000 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 1992 / April 0 0 0 000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1991 / April 0 0 0 000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1990 / Nov 70 7 0 202 3 0 48 42 6 15 36 1990 / April 19 4 3 100 0 0 13 11 2 2 18 1989 / April Not Observed Totals 2008 / April* 257 43 0 12 15 5 0 21 167 153 4 32 19 2004 / April 138 43 9 13 15 6 0 0 75 66 9 20 30 2003 / May 162 42 4 15 16 7 0 0 114 107 7 15 14 2000 / April 125 23 2 12 7 2 0 0 79 73 6 20 27 1998 / April 162 16 0 934 0 0 136 131 5 12 9 1993 / April 142 10 1 603 0 0 120 112 8 12 11 1992 / April 115 9 0 603 0 0 82 74 8 27 36 1991 / April 194 39 0 22 14 3 0 0 131 117 14 18 15 1990 / Nov 156 19 2 445 4 0 101 90 11 36 40 1990 / April 130 22 14 602 0 0 89 77 12 19 25 1989 / April 176 24 16 412 0 1 102 95 7 45 47 * May be some duplication of count due to sheep movements between counts

20 Appendix 1. WMU observation checkpoints and group composition data for 2008

Bighorn Sheep Observations January, 2008 Date WMU Checkpt. Total Ewes Lambs U/C Rams U/C U/C UTM Number Sheep Ewe/Lamb 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl 4/5 trophy Rams Sheep Northing Easting Winter Range Comments 21-Jan-08 404B 98 4 3 1 5585513 670752 Mt Head 21-Jan-08 404B 105 19 12 4 2 1 5587030 666273 Mt Head 21-Jan-08 404B 106 5 2 3 5586826 666180 Mt Head 21-Jan-08 404B 107 8 1 2 3 2 5586219 665475 Mt Head 21-Jan-08 404B 116 4 3 1 5589835 663732 Mt Head 23-Jan-08 404B 126 23 12 4 3 2 2 5606181 651620 Gibralter Mtn 23-Jan-08 404B 129 2 1 1 5600458 656238 Gibralter Mtn 23-Jan-08 404B 132 4 2 2 5589954 663654 Mt Head 23-Jan-08 404B 133 1 1 5590229 664923 Mt Head 23-Jan-08 404B 134 5 3 1 1 5590666 664964 Mt Head 23-Jan-08 404B 142 7 2 5 5584099 667952 Mt Head 23-Jan-08 404B 145 14 12 1 1 5600746 650130 Mist Mtn 23-Jan-08 404B 146 17 10 1 1 2 2 1 5602408 649836 Mist Mtn 23-Jan-08 404B 147 1 1 5603962 648826 Mist Mtn 23-Jan-08 404B 149 3 3 5607338 648693 Gibralter Mtn 23-Jan-08 404B 155 2 1 1 5602988 646627 Mist Mtn 23-Jan-08 404A 137 11 6 3 1 1 5569493 676901 Plateau Mt 23-Jan-08 404A 138 2 1 1 5564792 675561 Plateau Mt 23-Jan-08 404A 139 33 24 7 1 1 5564544 677634 Plateau Mt 23-Jan-08 404A 140 16 9 7 5563463 681509 Plateau Mt 23-Jan-08 404A 141 1 1 5566876 682652 Plateau Mt

404A 63 40 18 2 2 1 0 Totals: 404B 119 64 14 8 12 17 4 404 182 104 32 10 14 18 4

20-Jan-08 406A 61 16 4 7 5 5611606 679942 Sheep R. (High Noon) 21-Jan-08 406A 97 15 8 4 1 2 5588669 672358 Mt Head 23-Jan-08 406A 118 38 12 9 1 2 14 5603724 664293 1 with radiocollar 23-Jan-08 406A 119 2 1 1 5603607 657414 Blu/Blk ear tags 23-Jan-08 406A 120 1 1 5604302 653633 Gibralter Mtn 23-Jan-08 406A 121 12 5 4 3 5603705 653711 Gibralter Mtn 23-Jan-08 406A 150 7 3 1 3 5608659 648936 Gibralter Mtn 23-Jan-08 406A 151 4 3 1 5608884 646871 Mt Rae 23-Jan-08 406A 152 19 12 5 2 5611400 646719 Mt Rae 20-Jan-08 406B 47 14 7 4 1 2 5631680 652318 Forget-Me-Not 20-Jan-08 406B 48 3 2 1 5627289 654457 Forget-Me-Not 20-Jan-08 406B 49 1 1 5626057 655305 Forget-Me-Not 20-Jan-08 406B 50 10 4 2 1 3 5624329 657640 Forget-Me-Not 20-Jan-08 406B 53 17 7 6 2 1 1 5625619 662391 Mt Ware-Mt Rose 20-Jan-08 406B 65 32 20 9 1 2 5617420 654547 Mt Ware-Mt Rose 21-Jan-08 406B 67 1 1 5615383 659246 Mt Ware-Mt Rose 21-Jan-08 406B 69 13 11 2 5613549 667047 Sheep R. Yell/Purp 23-Jan-08 406B 117 5 3 2 5612285 656069 Mt Ware-Mt Rose 23-Jan-08 406B 153 15 6 2 1 1 4 1 5614531 646831 Mt Burns 24-Jan-08 406B 162 5 2 3 5622766 640903 Little Elbow R. 24-Jan-08 406B 163 18 13 4 1 5622846 639010 Little Elbow R. 24-Jan-08 406B 164 3 2 1 5625102 638547 Little Elbow R. 24-Jan-08 406B 165 10 7 3 5629170 640178 Little Elbow R. 24-Jan-08 406B 166 2 1 1 5617735 643212 Little Elbow R.

406A 114 41 24 6 6 17 6 0 14 Totals: 406B 149 82 35 7 8 15 2 0 406 263 123 59 13 14 32 8 14 21 Appendix I (cont’d)

Bighorn Sheep Observations January, 2008 Date WMU Checkpt. Total Ewes Lambs U/C Rams U/C U/C UTM Number Sheep Ewe/Lamb 1/4 curl 1/2 curl 3/4 curl 4/5 trophy Rams Sheep Northing Easting Winter Range Comments 24-Jan-08 408A 180 2 1 1 5626001 632734 Evan Thomas 24-Jan-08 408A 181 11 8 3 5626423 632249 Evan Thomas 24-Jan-08 408A 184 6 1 1 2 2 5627560 630515 Evan Thomas 24-Jan-08 408A 185 1 1 5628149 630289 Evan Thomas 24-Jan-08 408A 186 20 12 4 3 1 5628510 631809 Evan Thomas 24-Jan-08 408A 188 9 4 1 1 1 2 5632519 636789 Evan Thomas 24-Jan-08 408A 189 2 1 1 5626891 636808 Evan Thomas 24-Jan-08 408A 190 1 1 5630779 633559 Evan Thomas 24-Jan-08 408A 191 29 8 2 3 2 3 5 6 5634944 632518 Evan Thomas 24-Jan-08 408A 194 2 1 1 5633715 631876 Evan Thomas 24-Jan-08 408A 195 1 1 5635622 629984 Evan Thomas 24-Jan-08 408B 205 15 3 9 3 5643550 627445 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan 24-Jan-08 408B 208 26 1 4 5 10 6 5644309 626349 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan 24-Jan-08 408B 209 6 6 5645164 626050 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan 24-Jan-08 408B 210 10 8 2 5645035 626593 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan 24-Jan-08 408B 211 32 24 8 5644712 626948 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan 24-Jan-08 408B 212 1 1 5647246 623920 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan 24-Jan-08 408B 213 20 13 3 1 1 1 1 5649545 625500 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan 24-Jan-08 408B 215 33 21 9 2 1 5649868 621740 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan 24-Jan-08 408B 217 6 4 2 5644814 627569 Ribbon Ck-Mt Allan 24-Jan-08 408B 216 16 12 3 1 5652651 619040 Three Sisters-Wind Ridge

408A 84 34 11 7 6 10 10 6 Totals: 408B 165 89 27 7 9 22 11 0 408 249 123 38 14 15 32 21 6

23-Jan-08 410 161 67 45 5 2 6 7 2 0 0 5652988 626944 Pigeon-McGillivray Mtn

Totals: 67 45 5 2 6 7 2 0 0

23-Jan-08 PLPP 156 7 6 1 5607897 642525 PLPP 23-Jan-08 PLPP 157 2 2 5610243 641250 PLPP 23-Jan-08 PLPP 158 19 14 5 5611482 640373 PLPP 23-Jan-08 PLPP 159 1 1 5613449 637004 PLPP 24-Jan-08 PLPP 167 1 1 5615859 637440 PLPP 24-Jan-08 PLPP 169 6 3 1 1 1 5619392 635667 PLPP 24-Jan-08PLPP171321 5622289 633156 PLPP 24-Jan-08 PLPP 172 6 1 1 2 2 5623576 633364 PLPP 24-Jan-08 PLPP 174 6 3 2 1 5623542 633835 PLPP 24-Jan-08 PLPP 177 4 1 1 2 5624717 633339 PLPP 24-Jan-08 PLPP 178 8 3 3 2 5625633 633051 PLPP

Totals: 63 35 13 4 4 5 2

22 Appendix 2. Bighorn sheep observation locations during the 2008 winter aerial survey

23

24