10 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission • 2014 Annual Report
B I G H O R N S H E E P T R A N S L O C A T I O N
H E L P S S T R E N G T H E N P O P U L A T I O N S
Twenty-six bighorn sheep from the Hubbard's Gap herd in the
Wildcat Hills were part of Nebraska's first internal transplant
to help supplement struggling bighorn populations in the Pine
Ridge. In February 2014, Game and Parks captured bighorn
sheep in the Hubbard's Gap herd southwest of Gering. Fifty-
two sheep were radio-collared in an effort to track and monitor
bighorn sheep movements, distribution and overall herd health.
Staff collected samples for disease testing and attached radio
collars to the sheep; 26 were released at the capture site and 26
were transported to the Pine Ridge.
This team effort included assistance from the Alliance Animal
Clinic, USDA-APHIS, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, Chadron
State College wildlife club and many others. Contributions from
the Nebraska Big Game Society, Iowa Foundation for North
American Wild Sheep, National Wild Sheep Foundation and
Midwest Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation helped finance
the project.
Conservation efforts have helped restore this species with
a current statewide population of approximately 380 sheep.
Bighorn sheep provide numerous recreational opportunities,
such as wildlife viewing, hunting and photography. In 2014, one
Nebraska resident was awarded the opportunity to hunt during
the December season. This completed the 18th overall hunt
since Nebraska's first bighorn season in 1998.
• Rainwater Basin PF Chapter/Bob Hangar, Bluebill, Marsh
Hawk, Greenwing, Whitefront and Bulrush WMAs
• Big Game Conservation Association/Chris Edwards, Powder
Horn WMA
• Boy Scouts, Grove Lake and Oak Valley WMAs
• Douglas County West and Otoe County PF chapters, Triple
Creek WMA
