RMBS collaborates with numerous Federal and State agencies, other
non-governmental organizations, and private consulting firms to further bighorn
sheep conservation, research, and hunting opportunities throughout the United
States.
RMBS has provided financial resources, equipment, and/or volunteer personnel
over the past 30 years for numerous projects, as described below.
Conservation Projects
Apishapa State Wildlife Area Piñon-Juniper Clearing
The CDOW was awarded $7,000 for clearing of piñon and juniper trees which are encroaching on the cliff complexes that serve as
escape cover for the resident bighorn sheep herd. Trees will be cleared by hand and left on site to decompose. A prescribed fire is planned in the future to remove the remaining timber.
New Mexico Desert Bighorns
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has an aggressive control program for
mountain lions that prey on desert bighorn sheep. The RMBS has committed $2,500 to this program for the third consecutive year. In part due to the outstanding success of this program, desert bighorns are
currently being considered for de-listing from Threatened status in the state.
Education & Research
Glenwood Canyon Bighorn Sheep / Domestic Sheep Interaction Assessment
The CDOW was awarded $8,128 to monitor GPS-collared sheep in Glenwood Canyon. The goals of the project are to assess the potential for interaction between
bighorn sheep and domestic sheep on nearby grazing allotments, document bighorn
lamb survival and recruitment, and identify areas used by bighorn sheep in
order to focus habitat treatments.
Colorado Youth Outdoors
CYO received $10,000 in support of their extensive family-oriented programs that
introduce parents and their kids to traditional outdoor experiences and
activities. Through these programs, CYO helps families re-establish quality time together
and helps to spawn a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts.
Big Thompson Canyon Interpretive Signs
Funding totaling $7,233 was donated to replace four bighorn sheep interpretive
signs along the highway in Big Thompson Canyon. The old signs were in very poor condition.
Youth Hunts
The RMBS gave the CDOW Hunter Outreach Program $1,200 to sponsor two youth hunts
for 12 young hunters. Six kids hunted pronghorn near Craig in October, and six more hunted elk near
DeBeque in December. In between trips afield, hunters learned about bighorn sheep in Colorado and the
mission of the RMBS.
Northern Wild Sheep and Goat Council
RMBS paid $1,256 for two CDOW biologists to attend the NWSGC biennial conference
and a special workshop from the Wild Sheep Working Group to discuss the
pneumonia outbreak in 5 western states. At the workshop, agencies summarized information on the die-offs, including
response protocols and the efficacy of those responses, lab results, long-term
monitoring strategies and future response protocols.
Youth Poster Contest
Prizes totaling $1,125 were awarded to winners of the annual youth poster
contest.
Auction & Raffle Funds
The Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society transfers 75 percent of the sheep and goat
raffle and auction revenues to the Colorado Division of Wildlife. These funds,
combined with other sources, are allocated to various projects on an annual
basis with input from the RMBS, USFS and BLM regarding which projects should be
funded. In 2010 $211,400 was allocated from the CDOW raffle and auction account
for various sheep projects and research throughout Colorado.
