December 2003 3406 Cherry Ave NE Salem, OR 97303 503-947-6300 COVER PHOTO CREDITS Right Top: Capturing the original mature California bighorn ram in Williams Lake, British Columbia before transport to Oregon in 1954 (Vic Masson). Right Bottom: Rocky Mountain goats in the Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon (Vic Coggins, ODFW). Left Top: Modern net-gun capture technology using a helicopter and custom made transport bags to insure safety for animal and animal handlers (Nancy Smogar, ODFW). Left Bottom: A young California bighorn ram in the acclimation pen at Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge prior to release in 1961 (Vic Masson). Suggested Citation: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2003. Oregon’s bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goat management plan. Salem, Oregon, USA. i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Two bighorn sheep subspecies are native to Oregon: Rocky Mountain and California bighorn sheep. Expansion of American civilization without wildlife protection or management, and domestic livestock diseases led to their extirpation from Oregon by the mid 1940's. Present populations are the result of reintroductions and occupy only a small percentage of historic ranges. Oregon now supports 12 Rocky Mountain bighorn herds with a population estimate of 637 animals, and 32 California bighorn herds with 3,700 animals. Land use changes have rendered much of the original wild sheep ranges unsuitable for occupancy, but there is still considerable suitable habitat into which bighorns have been, or can be re-established. The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) is perhaps the least recognized and least known of Oregon’s big game species. The goat’s obscurity is likely a result of the steep and rugged nature of its habitat. Consequently much of their habitat in Oregon remains intact. Rocky Mountain goats also were extirpated from Oregon during or prior to European settlement. Present populations also are the result of reintroductions with a 2003 estimated population of 400 animals in 3 main herds, and five other areas where goats are occasionally observed. Bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goat restoration in Oregon has been possible because of the generosity and cooperation of other states and Canadian provinces contributing transplant stock without compensation, the assistance of dedicated individuals and groups such as Foundation for North American Wild Sheep and Oregon Hunters Association, and funding provided by annual auction and raffle tags. Additionally, the success of Oregon’s program is due to the dedication of legislators, sportsmen and women, and biologists working together for a common goal. The first Oregon Bighorn Sheep Management Plan was implemented in 1986. Stated goals were to establish viable bighorn herds in all suitable habitat while maintaining subspecies integrity within Oregon by maintaining separation of their respective distributions. Oregon’s Bighorn Sheep Management Plan was revised in 1992. A dramatic expansion in distribution and number of bighorns indicates a great deal of progress was made toward fulfilling original goals of the plan. However, because large amounts of habitat remained unoccupied, the goal of expanding bighorn sheep distribution and numbers was retained. Further, many of the original issues and management strategies have remained consistent since 1986 and continue to direct current management of wild sheep in Oregon. No formal planning process has been implemented for Rocky Mountain goat management in Oregon. Historically, restoration and management efforts have been developed and implemented at local ODFW district levels with most funding provided through grants from organized groups such as Oregon Hunters Association. This plan provides overall management direction for Oregon's bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goat programs for the next 10 years. It is ODFW’s goal to have healthy populations of bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goat in all available, suitable habitat within Oregon. This plan summarizes the history and current status of Oregon's bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goats. It presents management guidelines for populations in Oregon and will guide future transplant activities, as well as assisting other concerned resource management agencies with planning efforts. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.................................................................................................... i TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................... ii LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES ................................................................................ iv ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP .......................................................................1 History ...........................................................................................................................1 Description ..................................................................................................................3 Habitat ..........................................................................................................................4 Transplants ..................................................................................................................5 Research .......................................................................................................................6 Current Management ...............................................................................................6 Subspecies Integrity ..........................................................................................7 Population Management ..................................................................................7 Recreational Opportunity .................................................................................7 Disease Management ........................................................................................8 Habitat Management .........................................................................................8 Law Enforcement ................................................................................................9 Future Restoration Priorities and Research Needs ......................................9 Hells Canyon Initiative ..........................................................................................10 CALIFORNIA BIGHORN SHEEP ................................................................................11 History .........................................................................................................................11 Description ................................................................................................................13 Habitat ........................................................................................................................14 Transplants ................................................................................................................16 Current Distribution and Status ........................................................................16 Research .....................................................................................................................17 Current Management .............................................................................................18 Subspecies Integrity ........................................................................................18 Population Management ................................................................................19 Recreational Opportunity ...............................................................................19 Disease Management ......................................................................................19 Habitat Management .......................................................................................19 Law Enforcement ..............................................................................................20 Future Restoration Priorities and Research Needs ....................................20 ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT ...........................................................................................23 History .........................................................................................................................23 Description ................................................................................................................26 Habitat ........................................................................................................................28 iii Transplants ................................................................................................................29 Current Distribution and Status ........................................................................30 Research .....................................................................................................................30 Current Management .............................................................................................31 Future Restoration Priorities and Research Needs ....................................31 ECONOMICS OF WILD SHEEP AND GOAT MANAGEMENT ..............................34 Economic Values ......................................................................................................34 1991 Bighorn Hunter Survey ..............................................................................35 Nonconsumptive Values and Economic Impact ...........................................37 Program Income ......................................................................................................38